Estimating Shop Light Wattage

SLOBuds · Apr 29, 2003

Is it possible for me to estimate the amount of wattage that I should install for shop lights?

I would rather have some kind of idea about how much I need rather than just buying more and more until I'm 'happy'.

Same question for a parking garage.

Standard fluorescent shop lights. Also let me know if I should pick one type of fluorescent over another.

Thanks.

JTD · Apr 29, 2003

Martin, Don't know the specific use of your shop and thus your needs but you'll need to determine the mix of general lighting (natural and artificial) plus task lighting you will need. I recommend that you read Sandor Nagyszalanczy's book "Setting Up Shop." His chaptor on lighting is one of the best. The amount of lighting will depend on their height and location from the worksurfaces, ceiling and wall color (reflectiveness), etc. I usually start with 8 ft fluorescents/dual bulbs for the general lighting butted end to end and about 8 ft apart depending on the room/usage. This is reduced in areas for general storage, etc. I prefer the ballasts that are not as susceptable to cold starting/flickering. I think they are the electronic ballasts but they do cost more. Color rendition isn't good with fluorescents so if that is important try to set up an area with natural lighting. This book gives instructions on calculation of the electrical load requirements for the lighting. Always have a separate
circuit(s) just for lighting.

Mrwurm · Apr 29, 2003

Martin, my neighbor set up his 30x50 shop with Florescent lights. His shop is unheated, boy did he make a mistake. he used the cheapy lights from the home center. They flicker constantly and in the winter time they are so dim they are of little value.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 29, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( His shop is unheated, boy did he make a mistake. he used the cheapy lights from the home center. They flicker constantly and in the winter time they are so dim they are of little value. )</font>

That sounds familiar. One of the (many) things I haven't gotten around to yet is looking into the shops lights here. The previous owner put in lamps that hum badly. The colder it is, the louder they are.

Anyone got a recommendation for a particular brand/type/source of shop lamp suitable for use in an unheated shop?

SnowRidge

DavidInNH · May 4, 2003

I used this program to help me layout my shop lights ( http://www.simkar.com/simply-software.htm). Many people on this site recommended T8 flourescents, try a search for background. The only mystery for me in using this program was how many lumens/sq.ft. to size for. I found a reference someplace that suggested 50-100 was a good target and to err on the high side if you are over 40.

-david

TresCrows · May 5, 2003

My heated and ac shop/garage is 26X24 or so, it has two 200 watt incandesents, and 6 of the 8 foot double flourescents. I have the type that are designed for cold temps. I will heat my shop in winter so it will never get below about 50 degrees in there or so. I also have portable halogen lights for specific tasks etc. The ceiling is sheet rocked and painted white to reflect light. J