Outdoor Light: 304 or 316 Stainless Steel (Sydney)

ozbargainsam on 11/09/2022 - 21:17

I've had some 100W halogen floodlights die so I'm replacing them all with LED fixtures.

tl;dr: 304 vs 316: does it matter in Sydney (30 mins from beaches)

Now, I've got some very solid stainless steel wall lights, that after 20 years, look nice and shiny. And I've got some others that are flaked to hell. And then I have the floodlights which have flaked and are hollow sounding.

Trying to figure out if maybe the reason the ones that are still shiny are 316 steel and the others are 304/something else entirely. Because if 304 flakes, and 316 is perfect, then I'll get the one that lasts. But if 304 would be the same as 316 in Sydney, then no need to spend the extra.

Home & Garden Outdoor Light

Comments

  • cookie2 on 11/09/2022 - 21:25

    From memory 316 is moreso marine grade and 304 is lower but still ss. If you're noticing a difference and it can be attributed to the ss grade then I'd go the higher grade… dependant on initial outlay price vs just replacing them at a later stage again.

    • ozbargainsam on 11/09/2022 - 21:36

      The problem is I don't know what the SS type are of the existing fixtures, so I can't say if one of type X and to avoid it etc.

      I was looking at the stuff from Bunnings ($96) which is IP44 and rather thin metal body. Compare it to the IP65 'Marine' 316 set from Beacon and it's significantly more solid ($235).

      I guess after tossing around the options this arvo, I might just go for the premium option and getting it done right.

  • oscargamer on 11/09/2022 - 21:28

    304 is the lowest ss you can buy

    Get the 316

    • ozbargainsam on 11/09/2022 - 21:37
      +1

      Straight to the point. I like it.

      Gonna cost about 50% more per fixture but it'll last at least 20 years.

      • oscargamer on 11/09/2022 - 22:24

        Yep. Buy right first time….

        Also the old adage that says 'quality is remembered, long after price is forgotten'

        • ozbargainsam on 11/09/2022 - 22:40

          Or when I was shopping for some ski gear: 'buy nice or buy twice'.

    • pinchies on 12/09/2022 - 05:42
      +1

      Actually, 201 stainless would be lower. 430 would be next for corrosion resistance, then 304 and then 316. 304 isn't bad stuff at all. Unless you need any kind of salt water resistance, 304 is quite adequate. You might still want to opt for the 316 if the product itself is made to higher standard though.

      • oscargamer on 12/09/2022 - 10:10

        Please link any fridge made in 201 or 430 or any of the other tens of grades?

        • pinchies on 12/09/2022 - 15:30
          +1

          Fridge?? I was recently looking at stainless steel bench tops on ebay - available in 201, 304 and 430. Not sure why I deserved a neg for providing additional info and context re Stainless steels, but that's the internet for you….

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/09/2022 - 22:02
    +1

    316L? And good regime of cleanimg

    • oscargamer on 11/09/2022 - 22:25

      316L and very occasional cleaning if you feel the urge, or not

    • ozbargainsam on 11/09/2022 - 22:28

      You know, 20 years on and the original (good) fixtures are doing fine with no cleaning or oiling. Let's see if they make them like they used to (if OzB is around in 20 years I'll post back here).

  • bmxr on 11/09/2022 - 22:04

    Get the 316

    Ours still look brand new 10+ years on, without cleaning, and being less than 1km from saltwater.

  • ozbargainsam on 11/09/2022 - 22:38

    Thanks all for the quick confirmation.

    I had been looking at the Bunnings ones but might getting something along these lines:

    https://thelightingoutlet.com.au/products/316-stainless-stee…

    It doesn't specify 316L and I haven't see any online (just 'Marine grade').

  • bloom on 11/09/2022 - 23:44

    Near beach -> 316
    Other -> 304

    Nearly every kitchen sink is 304 and survives happily

    • ozbargainsam on 12/09/2022 - 20:14

      Interesting take. But one assumes that being 'outside in the elements' is significantly harsher.

      My place is in a leafy, relatively damn/lower area than surrounds so it tends to attract a bit more moisture through the year.

  • cashless on 12/09/2022 - 08:17

    3 second google search

    • ozbargainsam on 12/09/2022 - 08:45

      Suppose if you spent those three seconds comprehending even just the title of my post then you'd also figure out, like everyone else in this thread, that I'm not asking if one is better, but if the better is unnecessary.

      • cashless on 12/09/2022 - 10:44

        The above google search should provide the answer you need.
        Only trying to be helpful!

        • ozbargainsam on 12/09/2022 - 20:12

          Well, the internet is cruel to low-effort responses, especially those 'let me google that for you'.

          'Duh didn't you think to google it' is just plain obnoxious.

          • cashless on 12/09/2022 - 23:00

            @ozbargainsam: Your cruelty principle is also applicable to “low effort” questions that could easily be researched prior to posting on public forums.
            If you don’t think you’ll like the answers you’ll get from a wide variety of public responses, don’t ask dumbass questions.

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