Barn Lighting

Mac25 · Aug 3, 2015

So when I built my barn, I decided to mount a total of six, 500 watt halogen, adjustable lights. I went with these for the simple fact that they would be easier to mount and run the wire since they are mounted along the top of the walls. Turns out, these are the biggest pieces of junk I have spent money on. I have spent more money on bulbs than the lights are worth. My question is, does anyone have a recommendation on 48" fluorescent, wall mount lights and do they provide enough lighting? I really would like to keep something wall mounted so that I don't have to rewire the entire barn. Thanks.

wmonroe · Aug 3, 2015

I'm not any help but stopped to say good luck in your search. I've only wired some temp lights in my building till I figure out what I want to put in, never would have thought this would have been the hardest decision of building a barn.

newbury · Aug 3, 2015

Size matters.

How big is your barn?

How high will the lights be?

robstaples · Aug 3, 2015

Your halogen put out about 11000 lumens. Street light fixtures come to mind like below links . These Led fixtures are effecient and great bulb life but maybe too point source giving hard shadows. Wiring would be easy. Maybe try one?

500 Service Unavailable Error
https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/111770/TF-SAL16L18811000L.html

boggen · Aug 3, 2015

1 electrical box + 1 lamp holder X every 6 to 12 feet.
http://www.menards.com/main/mainten...irect-mount-standard-box/p-1401365-c-6430.htm
http://www.menards.com/main/lightin...elain-keyless-lampholder/p-2201759-c-7525.htm

1 row about 3 to 4 feet off one side, and then another row 3 to 4 feet off the side on opposite side of shed. then i think a 400watt light in center (work area)

the incandescent bulbs = instant on in winter, and keep shadowing down a lot! so i can go through my racks / shelving to find stuff, without trying to find a spot were i am not casting a shadow on what i am wanting to look at.

the larger brighter bulb in middle gives off a nice white light. but takes a while to warm up and get to full brightness. and only used when going to be out in shed for any length of time.

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i am not a fan of florescent lights. lights go bad, and also the ballasts go bad, and when cold till they warm up flicking. and if light or ballast is bad you get flicking and/or a buzzing sound. it annoys me and hurts my eyes. i can handle yellow light from incandescent it may not be white light, but it is a steady constant light i can count on, and when the light goes bad, it instantly goes bad. and if one does go bad, i still have plenty of other bulbs around me, to keep things going. i think i only had to deal with one bulb out of 20+ bulbs, and for what ever reason just needed to be screwed in a little more.

bulldog69 · Aug 4, 2015

Before you give up on the 500 watt lights you may want to make a trip to Home Depot. I have the same type lights in my shed and they have been a real PIA. Long story short last time I was at HD in the light section a employee pointed out heavy duty 500 watt bulbs. I'm just now in the beginning of the trial period so I haven't got anything good or bad to say about them yet. I have my fingers crossed though because I don't want to re-wire my building either.

mddorange · Aug 4, 2015

If you want LED you might try these: Lithonia Lighting 2 ft. White LED High Bay Light-IBH 11L MV - The Home Depot - High-performance 4000K LEDs produce 11,200 Lumens over an average life of 60,000 hours.

pmsmechanic · Aug 4, 2015

A 48" double fluorescent puts out 1100-1200 lumens. In Canada they are around $30 for a new one. One Cree LED 100 watt equivalent light bulb costs give or take $26 and puts out 1600 lumens. They are about $20 for you Americans and are available at Home Depot.

I have three now and will buy more. The light output is phenomenal. There is no fluorescent hum or waiting for them to warm up in cold weather. Slowly I'm replacing all the florescent lights in my shop. I'm also working on replacing all my compact fluorescents in the house with LED's.

Mac25 · Aug 4, 2015

newbury said:
Size matters. How big is your barn? How high will the lights be?

Barn is 36x36, lights are mounted at 12'.

MFWD · Aug 4, 2015

Hello,
I'm sure you have done the math, but the electric company must really like you. Six lights at 500 watts each is 3000 watts when you turn on the lights. However, probably on 2 or more circuits, so maybe not generally all on at once. When all on, that's like running 2 electric heaters on high.....wow !!!!!! Go big, or go home !!!!!!

MFWD