Arena Lights Revisited

[hayes]

My last question awhile back asked about the height of the lights. (Thanks for the responses). Now after getting an estimate and recovering from the sticker shock....
(3 25' poles, 4 lights, fuses, switches, electical run of about 350' price $4500, with me doing the trenching)

What type of lights are you using in your outside arena???
What size of arena and number of lights?

My arena is 130' x 180' and will be used for jumping. The electician suggested 400 watt high pressure sodium lights but not sure if he understands the lighting needs of a jumping arena.
He said normally he would put 2 on each long side.
But our arena is by the property line and the neighbors house
is about 200' from it. We are thinking about 3 poles down 1 side with 4 lights so not to flood his property with light. But I worry about the shadows this would cause.
Should I try to be a good neighbor or do the job the right way?
The lights will only be on for a couple of hours each night and usually off by 10pm.


Well thanks in advance for help.

Larry

 

[MikePA]

I can't assist with lighting specifics, but I'd do it the right way because what's at risk if there are shadows is the horse and rider.

I would deal with the neighbors by talking to them and even showing them the lighting plan as well as your plans for how the arena will be used at night. Perhaps even to the point of offering them some advance notice if the lighting schedule needs to change. You wouldn't be seeking their approval, rather just being a good neighbor.

 

[cowboydoc]

Hayes,
We use the same sodium style lights and have about the same number. $4500 is way out of the ballpark in my mind. I bought 10 of those lights at a sale for $20 a piece. I got the poles free from the utility company and had maybe $150 in materials to hook it all up. I put the poles up myself and the lights and ran the wire. I had my one friend who is an electrician help me hook it all up. I don't think I had $500 in the whole outfit and I've still got five lights left.

Now I don't know about jumping but my five lights provide more than enough light for roping.

 

[gerard]

I'd speak with a lighting designer and explain what your use is going to be. I did our indoor arena with 10 lights, (metal halide I think) for about $1500. Place looks like a baseball stadium but there are NO shadows except straight down. If you're going to put poles only on the perimiter you have to go high enough so shadows aren't a problem but the higher you go the more diffuse the light gets and the more lumens you need. Shop around and consult with someone who knows what they're talking about re lighting. $4500 seems way high as cowboy doc said but you're probably looking at around $150 per light minimum x # you need.

 

[hayes]

Thanks for the info, I have a feeling that the main cost
here is the labor and poles. Where we are at, after about 2' in the ground you hit solid rock, so if the poles need to be set deeper than 2' you need something that can get through the rock.

I was a little shocked with the price myself, but everybody told me it was going to be expensive.

Larry

 

[JJT]

I'd opt for a concrete anchor before I paid for someone to jack hammer or blast through the rock at 2ft.

 

[mattjones]

Hayes,
We use the same sodium style lights and have about the same number. $4500 is way out of the ballpark in my mind. I bought 10 of those lights at a sale for $20 a piece. I got the poles free from the utility company and had maybe $150 in materials to hook it all up. I put the poles up myself and the lights and ran the wire. I had my one friend who is an electrician help me hook it all up. I don't think I had $500 in the whole outfit and I've still got five lights left.

Now I don't know about jumping but my five lights provide more than enough light for roping.

would you sale your five lights that you left over?

 

[tallyho8]

would you sale your five lights that you left over?

He hasn't posted on this site in 2 years so I doubt that he will get your message.
Welcome to TBN.