ch47dpilot
Gold Member
looking at building a 40x80 16ft high garage/workshop. Looking for recommendations for lighting. Links to good sites would help to.
garage lighting
- Thread starter ch47dpilot
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grsthegreat
Super Star Member
there are so many different options out there at this time, depending on the use of the shop. Stay away from the T-12 lamps, as there being phased out.
8 foot T8 tandem lights work nice, have electronic ballast and cost aprox $60/each including lamps. Personally if i used these id install at (absolute minimum) least 2 in every bay the length of the building and switch each side separately. with 12 total light fixtures youd have aprox 15 FC of lighting (on average). not too bright, but acceptable for most homeowner uses.
to double the foot candle , youd need 3 rows of 8 lights ... that would give you an average of 30 FC. this would use 24 x 140 watts ea = 3,360 watts
Another option is using the new T5 High Output lights. Each fixture uses four 54 watt T-5 lamps, for a 248 watt total per fixture. For 30 FC of lighting you would need 3 rows of 4 light fixtures. These fixtures run aprox $98 each incl lamps. these would use 12 x 248 watts = 2,960 watts/hr
you can also use high bay 400 watt lamps, but i personally hate these fixtures, because they take so long to go fully bright, they lose brightness as the lamps age, and you tend to get more shadows. To get 30 FC of lighting, you would also need to run 3 rows of 4 lights for a total mounting of 12 fixtures. the high bays would use 12 x 400 watts = 4,800 watts/hr
boggen
Elite Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2011
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- Trivoli, IL
- Tractor
- SSTT (Sideways Snake Tain Tractor) and STB (sideways train box) tractor, dirt harvester
width and length of shed, and being a shop shed, vs more of a storage / parking lot for the toys....
i would say "some nice bright high up" lights that really brighten the entire area up. but then installing either regular screw in bulb lights, to florescent lights, approx 3 to 5 feet away from the side walls.
for myself, i went with regular screw in light bulbs. for hand tools / bolts / nuts / shelving area. i am only in that area for a bit at a time. and screw in bulbs give quicker instant lights, vs most florescent lights, that take a few minutes to heat up enough to put out full light.
then i use much powerful center lights high up. that flood the entire barn. with nice bright white light. it takes a few minutes for the lights to kick in and get to full brightness. but when i am in the shed for some time working on a project the brighter light works out nice. and then the lights down the sides, help remove any extra shadows.
with above said. if you go with florescent lights down the sides. a "single bulb" setup is good enough for me. with any were from 2 feet to 8 feet space between end to end of next florescent bulb down the sides.
with above said, prefer more lights at lower wattage. and then setting the lights up on a few switches. ya it costs extra for more fixtures, and wiring and switches. but gives me a little bit more control. and lights up places were i want the light. vs cursing at my shadow and not being able to read the 1/8" mark on a tape measure or like.
i would say "some nice bright high up" lights that really brighten the entire area up. but then installing either regular screw in bulb lights, to florescent lights, approx 3 to 5 feet away from the side walls.
for myself, i went with regular screw in light bulbs. for hand tools / bolts / nuts / shelving area. i am only in that area for a bit at a time. and screw in bulbs give quicker instant lights, vs most florescent lights, that take a few minutes to heat up enough to put out full light.
then i use much powerful center lights high up. that flood the entire barn. with nice bright white light. it takes a few minutes for the lights to kick in and get to full brightness. but when i am in the shed for some time working on a project the brighter light works out nice. and then the lights down the sides, help remove any extra shadows.
with above said. if you go with florescent lights down the sides. a "single bulb" setup is good enough for me. with any were from 2 feet to 8 feet space between end to end of next florescent bulb down the sides.
with above said, prefer more lights at lower wattage. and then setting the lights up on a few switches. ya it costs extra for more fixtures, and wiring and switches. but gives me a little bit more control. and lights up places were i want the light. vs cursing at my shadow and not being able to read the 1/8" mark on a tape measure or like.
wedge40
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2007
- Messages
- 2,196
Search for "high bay" lighting.
I'd start with T8 or T5 lighting. I have 6 of these in a 40'x40'x12' and it's pretty bright. Industrial 6-Light High Bay Hanging Fixture-IB 632 MVH at The Home Depot.
Once you get the shop lit, look at task lighting.
Wedge
I'd start with T8 or T5 lighting. I have 6 of these in a 40'x40'x12' and it's pretty bright. Industrial 6-Light High Bay Hanging Fixture-IB 632 MVH at The Home Depot.
Once you get the shop lit, look at task lighting.
Wedge
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
you shouled see what that same light looks like in the 54 watt lamp configuration. like looking into the sun
cj7
Gold Member
These lights work great!
I have some in my shop. 4LT-5
Instant on. I added motion sensors to ones in a less used area.
Welcome To Lightwings Lighting
I have some in my shop. 4LT-5
Instant on. I added motion sensors to ones in a less used area.
Welcome To Lightwings Lighting
