Lighting for Pole Barn

budlite · 08-22-2008, 06:01 PM

How many 4ft two-tube fluorescent fixtures will I need to install to light up a 30x40 metal pole barn adequately for general tractor maintenance, etc at night? I plan to mount lights above work bench areas as well.

tallyho8 · 08-22-2008, 06:32 PM

I would recommend a minimum of 6 for good lighting at 8' mounting height. The higher you mount them the more light you need.

HoustonBrama · 08-22-2008, 09:50 PM

Tally, if you haven't got your lights yet, check ebay, I got 12, 4', two bulb fluorescent fixtures with the zero degree ballast for $15. They are great. Just a food for thought.

Aquaman · 08-25-2008, 02:27 AM

I've been in lots of shops before and I've never seen one with "too much" light. Something to think about.

buckeyefarmer · 08-25-2008, 11:03 PM

I'm planning on 24 in my 30x48 barn, once I get busy and run some electric to it. 4 rows of 6 each.
This will give me an average of 30 fc at the work surface. I will switch them with 4 switches, and stagger them so I can adjust light level by switching.

ray66v · 08-25-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckeyefarmer

I'm planning on 24 in my 30x48 barn, once I get busy and run some electric to it. 4 rows of 6 each.
This will give me an average of 30 fc at the work surface. I will switch them with 4 switches, and stagger them so I can adjust light level by switching.

12 years ago when I built it, I switched the lights in my father's 32'x64' barn, so he could use different levels of lighting in each area. He protested, saying it was unnecessary. After using them a while, he told me it was a great idea, and HE was glad HE thought of it.

h2onut · 08-28-2008, 06:56 PM

Check your local craigslist. I bought some 400 watt hi-bay 120vlt lights with shatterproof bulbs for $15 each. They were removed from a warehouse and used very little. He was asking $20 each but I bought 8 of them. They are ready to hang and should throw out plenty of light. I see them all the time on there.

tallyho8 · 08-29-2008, 03:09 AM

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), the authority in lighting, categorizes high-bay lighting for use at 25' or higher. The ceilings of most pole barns are not high enough to efficiently use high-bay lights.

h2onut · 08-29-2008, 11:01 AM

You can afford to be less efficient with a $15 light compared to paying $350 for the same light. With the lens off and my barn at 16 feet in the peaks which is not much taller than most barns. I think you can't beat the price and they are widely available.

actionaj · 08-29-2008, 11:12 AM

I have 12 four footers in my 30'x40'x12 two lights per switch. It lights it up really well.

08-22-2008, 06:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
budlite New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toney, Alabama Posts: 17	Lighting for Pole Barn How many 4ft two-tube fluorescent fixtures will I need to install to light up a 30x40 metal pole barn adequately for general tractor maintenance, etc at night? I plan to mount lights above work bench areas as well.

08-22-2008, 06:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
tallyho8 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Katrinaville LA west of Westwego east of Ama south of River Ridge north of Boutte, above sea level Posts: 1,386	Re: Lighting for Pole Barn I would recommend a minimum of 6 for good lighting at 8' mounting height. The higher you mount them the more light you need.

08-22-2008, 09:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
HoustonBrama Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Adams TN Posts: 34	Re: Lighting for Pole Barn Tally, if you haven't got your lights yet, check ebay, I got 12, 4', two bulb fluorescent fixtures with the zero degree ballast for $15. They are great. Just a food for thought. __________________ "It'll buff out"

08-25-2008, 02:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Aquaman Silver Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: At the end of Smakadeer Rd. in WestCentral MO Posts: 153	Re: Lighting for Pole Barn I've been in lots of shops before and I've never seen one with "too much" light. Something to think about. __________________ RANDY As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. BX24, Hydraulic Auger, M Farmall, '67 Wheel Horse Lawn Ranger

08-25-2008, 11:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
buckeyefarmer Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MD Posts: 259	Re: Lighting for Pole Barn I'm planning on 24 in my 30x48 barn, once I get busy and run some electric to it. 4 rows of 6 each. This will give me an average of 30 fc at the work surface. I will switch them with 4 switches, and stagger them so I can adjust light level by switching. __________________ L3130HST,FEL L5030HST,QA,FEL MF 205-4 KK Finish Mower, 6' rotary mower, Pallet forks, PHD, Blade, Carryall, cultivator

08-28-2008, 06:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
h2onut New Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 21	Re: Lighting for Pole Barn Check your local craigslist. I bought some 400 watt hi-bay 120vlt lights with shatterproof bulbs for $15 each. They were removed from a warehouse and used very little. He was asking $20 each but I bought 8 of them. They are ready to hang and should throw out plenty of light. I see them all the time on there.

08-29-2008, 03:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
tallyho8 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Katrinaville LA west of Westwego east of Ama south of River Ridge north of Boutte, above sea level Posts: 1,386	Re: Lighting for Pole Barn The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), the authority in lighting, categorizes high-bay lighting for use at 25' or higher. The ceilings of most pole barns are not high enough to efficiently use high-bay lights.

08-29-2008, 11:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
h2onut New Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 21	Re: Lighting for Pole Barn You can afford to be less efficient with a $15 light compared to paying $350 for the same light. With the lens off and my barn at 16 feet in the peaks which is not much taller than most barns. I think you can't beat the price and they are widely available.

08-29-2008, 11:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
actionaj Silver Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 117	Re: Lighting for Pole Barn I have 12 four footers in my 30'x40'x12 two lights per switch. It lights it up really well. __________________ BX2350 FEL, RCK54 MMM, 4' Farm Star BB, 5' Farm Star RB, 5' Rake

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