Additional garage lighting......thoughts?

Richard · Jul 3, 2023

The light fixture in the garage is of course.....in the center of the garage.

Just yesterday, we assembled some mega shelving that the wife bought and of course, she wants it in the middle of the garage (which is more of a storage room for stuff rather than auto's)

This thing essentially blocks all of the direct radiating light to the rest of the room making the whole place darker.

I'm looking at ideas. First is add some shop lights and run them down the 'isles' between this shelving and the room.... they'd hang below the ceiling rafters so I got to thinking, there might be something more suited to fit BETWEEN the rafters that I could still let hang down 1-3 inches which would still tuck it away better than a hanging shop light.

I'd probably need 4 minimum of them to do what I want (verses probably two 4' shop lights although I was thinking on doubling them so each side would have 8' of lighting)

So far, can't find anything that rings my bell.....thought I'd reach out here for wider comments.

Richard · Jul 3, 2023

Don't expect this to matter much but, this is all switched at the wall.

Eagle1 · Jul 3, 2023

The cheap disposable LED lights are low current and can daisy chain. I've used a bunch of the cheapest ones on Amazon and they have lasted for years so far. I've used self contained 4' lights and modified some florescent fixtures to use LED tubes. Not pretty but functional and easy to install and replace if needed.

KennyG · Jul 3, 2023

The LED lights are the way to go. I've had pretty good luck with the Barrina V-Shaped shop lights from Amazon. I tried a few from Harbor Freight when they were on sale and they were badly made and failed quickly.

scootr · Jul 3, 2023

Long lasting quality high output LED 4 ft fixtures are worth extra the cost, They come with hangars but i have I screwed these directly to the ceiling too.

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Chewwy · Jul 3, 2023

It would not be that hard to add wooden sections between the rafters and spacing them to give the height you are seeking. Then mount the fixtures to the spacers parralel to the rafters.

ericm979 · Jul 3, 2023

I put up 10 or so 4' LED lights in my 750sq ft garage. They're running off the existing 15a light circuit with plenty of amps to spare.

Some are LED replacements for flourescent tubes and some were new fixtures made for LED tubes. I got the fixtures from Costco. The ones I got can be daisy chained, which is common and makes wiring them up easier.

ponytug · Jul 3, 2023

Richard said:
The light fixture in the garage is of course.....in the center of the garage.

Just yesterday, we assembled some mega shelving that the wife bought and of course, she wants it in the middle of the garage (which is more of a storage room for stuff rather than auto's)

This thing essentially blocks all of the direct radiating light to the rest of the room making the whole place darker.

I'm looking at ideas. First is add some shop lights and run them down the 'isles' between this shelving and the room.... they'd hang below the ceiling rafters so I got to thinking, there might be something more suited to fit BETWEEN the rafters that I could still let hang down 1-3 inches which would still tuck it away better than a hanging shop light.

I'd probably need 4 minimum of them to do what I want (verses probably two 4' shop lights although I was thinking on doubling them so each side would have 8' of lighting)

So far, can't find anything that rings my bell.....thought I'd reach out here for wider comments.

I used some LED troffer panels (drop ceiling) from Home Depot, but they are easily suspended. Lots of light and very low cost to run.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/2-ft-x-...eiling-Light-4-Pieces-panel-4pack-B/321758847