Lighting wiring question...

[Romanova]

I currently have a regular light fixture in my garage with a 75 watt bulb that is linked to a switch by the button for the garage door. In the attic, there is another light fixture with a pull string, and from this fixture, the wiring goes to the switched fixture. Obviously, the previous owner was content to dwell in a poorly lit enviornment, but for an auto enthusiast... not enough.

Here is what I want:
http://deadotter.com/garage.JPG

Where the light is behind the garage door opener is where my fixture is at. Would it be possible for me to install a similar setup, though possibly using 8 foot sections for the ones that run parallel to the garage door track? I know nothing about electrical... could I run all of this off of the existing wiring? I'd like to tie it into the switch of course.

Thanks for any help / suggestions. I really want to tackle this project myself instead of hiring someone and paying to much for something I know I can do myself once I get it figured out.

[buening]

Assuming those two lights are the only things on that circuit breaker, then yeah you should be able to add the three fluorescent lights. I did something similar, as my garage had 2 incandescent bulbs in the ceiling for the entire garage and I installed four 8' T8 strip light fixtures on the ceiling. I mounted two of the fixtures over the existing holes and ran new wiring from the second existing fixture hole to the other two lights.

Keep in mind that if you leave the attic light in the circuit, then the shop lights have to be on in order to turn on the attic light....but I'm sure thats obvious.

To keep things simple, you would leave your wiring at the hole for your existing light in the ceiling. You would then run new wires from the existing light (which is replaced by the fluorescent light you install) to one of the other strip light fixtures. You would then run wire from that strip light fixture to the last strip light fixture. For a cleaner install, you can run the wiring in the attic rather than using the channel conduit like in the picture (assuming you don't have a finished attic). You can buy the channel conduit from any of the box stores like Menards or Lowes. For more help, get into some specifics that you aren't clear on.

[kbs2244]

No need to go to 8 foot fixtures.
Just get 2 more of what you have and run the wires through the existing ones to the new ones.
If you butt them toghther you won't even need any conduit or wire mold.

[LoneGunman]

My only suggestion would be to use 2 4' instead of the 8's, also use T8's, not T12's. 8' lamps are a pain in the butt to store and transport.

[Romanova]

Thanks for the responses. To clarify, the picture was taken from this site, it is not an indication of what I have, rather what I want...

:)

[buening]

....and to clarify my post I installed 8' fixtures that use four 4' bulbs. They were from Lowes and were around $40 each. 8' bulbs are definitely a pain to store and transport, and are relatively less efficient as the 4' bulbs (or so I've read)

[Romanova]

I plan on running the wiring into the attic space above the garage... what is the best way to tap all the appropriate wires together... wire nuts?

[buening]

Wire nuts is the preferred method as far as I know. That is how I spliced them together.

[LoneGunman]

I plan on running the wiring into the attic space above the garage... what is the best way to tap all the appropriate wires together... wire nuts?
Wirenuts, I also hope I'm not insulting you, You do know the splices have to be in a junction box and you must use the appropriate connectors for the wire, junction box also needs to be grounded.

[Romanova]

Wirenuts, I also hope I'm not insulting you, You do know the splices have to be in a junction box and you must use the appropriate connectors for the wire, junction box also needs to be grounded.

No insult at all! Just trying to learn and get everyones opinion... thanks!