Help with new garage lighting

[AtwaterGarage]

Good day everyone,
We are planning an extension to our house with a 3 car garage with above living quarters for my in-laws (us in the future when we get old too), and I want to get the lighting right so I don't make the mistake of my current attached 3-car garage at home that we built in 2014 (too little light). I am a hobby mechanic (oil/brakes/fluids, light engine work, etc) and probably won't be removing engines anymore (already did it for a 928, no mas). Two 4-post lifts will be placed for long-term storages too.

Can you help with what to use and where to place the lights?
I am looking for max efficiency (lumens/watts) with ability to dimm (won't need super bright working mechanic/detailer garage most of the time) at 5000K color.
Garage dimensions (regular rectangle): 36'10" x 29' x 12' high



Thank you so much for any and all help!
-Hoi

 

[Max]

Welcome to the forum!

You will want to look at the the sticky at the top of the forum (the best light fixture ever!) for information and links. I personally prefer flourescent fixtures that are wired directly for LED tubes. The light is diffuse, they are relatively cheap, you can get whatever color temperature you like, and they can be easily replaced. While LEDs in theory will last a long time, in practice to do so they need good heat sinking and robust power supplies - which costs money that most people won’t pay.

There are other threads where people talk about under lift specific lighting. At a minimum you’ll want 120 on both sides of the lift for future lighting.

 

[nadogail]

LED is going to be your best option.

 

[AtwaterGarage]

I want to see if you will agree with this layout I had done so far; using Barrina 4' LED lights @ 5000 lumens/40W
This package deal from Amazon has #20 4' LED lights for $200.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X86239H/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I am having these lights connected to 3 different circuits (dependent to when I am working on the cars, most used bay (nearest to the stairs), with each bay's bank of lights connected to a motion detector.

Please advise, critique. Thank you so much!
-Hoi

 

[infinkc]

Really similar layout to mine. I went with 2x4 led flat panels.

Only thing I didn’t consider was when the garage doors are up, they block the light.

 

[AtwaterGarage]

Really similar layout to mine. I went with 2x4 led flat panels.

Only thing I didn’t consider was when the garage doors are up, they block the light.

True, I think the far bay and middle bay lights by the garage doors may/will be blocked when the doors are raised.
@infinkc Can you provide which type of 2x4 panels are used? The Amazon lights that I pointed/linked above cannot be dimmed. I may want the option of dimming the different zones if needed.
thanks

 

[mogandave]

If I were going to the lifts for storage, I would locate the lights equidistant from the area that's blocked to the perimeter.

I would also go with roll-up doors rather than roll-backs.

It I were planning for when I get old, I would consider making space and proving footings and whatnot for an elevator.

 

[cherokee]

I like those lights, I am not quite there yet. I am building a loft and under I am going to need lights. I really like what you have picked out, thanks.

 

[AtwaterGarage]

If I were going to the lifts for storage, I would locate the lights equidistant from the area that's blocked to the perimeter.

I would also go with roll-up doors rather than roll-backs.

It I were planning for when I get old, I would consider making space and proving footings and whatnot for an elevator.

Great suggestions. There is an elevator shaft being built for future installation right off the lower right "down" labelled stairway, not the stairs going up by the left lower side.

We are installing jackshaft liftmasters and unfortuntely they won't work on roll-up doors.

 

[bluedog225]

Not a common option but I like a string of 100 watt equivalent LED edison bulbs. 15 or so on a long string, in cages. Separate switch. Great light diffusion. Can have a pull string on each light. Gives a great 50s feel to the shop. Lights are cheap and it’s good to have options.

 

[dave*99]

True, I think the far bay and middle bay lights by the garage doors may/will be blocked when the doors are raised.
@infinkc Can you provide which type of 2x4 panels are used? The Amazon lights that I pointed/linked above cannot be dimmed. I may want the option of dimming the different zones if needed.
thanks

I'm using these. They require a 0-10V dimmer and associated wiring, have high output and adjustable color temperature. The surface mounting brackets are sold separately.

Lithonia Lighting Contractor Select CPANL 2 ft. x 4 ft. 4000/5000/6000 Lumens White Integrated LED Flat Panel Light CPANL 2X4 ALO6 SWW7 M2 - The Home Depot

The CPANL LED Fully Switchable Flat Panel features an integrated driver that allows CPANL to be suspended, direct surfaced mounted or integrated into a t-grid ceiling. The adjustable lumen output (ALO)

redirect.viglink.com

 

[AtwaterGarage]

I'm using these. They require a 0-10V dimmer and associated wiring, have high output and adjustable color temperature. The surface mounting brackets are sold separately.

Lithonia Lighting Contractor Select CPANL 2 ft. x 4 ft. 4000/5000/6000 Lumens White Integrated LED Flat Panel Light CPANL 2X4 ALO6 SWW7 M2 - The Home Depot

The CPANL LED Fully Switchable Flat Panel features an integrated driver that allows CPANL to be suspended, direct surfaced mounted or integrated into a t-grid ceiling. The adjustable lumen output (ALO)

redirect.viglink.com

I am seeing these that are almost the same. Cheaper as a package.

2 x 2 Surface Mount Kit

Install a panel in rooms without dropped ceilings by using this PLT 2X2 surface mounting kit. Find the mounting accessories you need at 1000Bulbs.com!

www.1000bulbs.com

Attached is what they recommended on the 1000bulbs.com custom lighting webpage.

 

[BreeStephany]

LED high-bay fixtures are the way to go! Because you plan on having a living quarters above the garage, your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will probably require a minimum 2-hour fire barrier between the garage and the living quarters (likely 2x layers 5/8" sheetrock) so you can't use recessed/flush LED puck lights, can lights, or any fixture that does not have an equal fire rating.

Fiberglass boxes do have the proper fire rating for this and can be used to supply electrical to surface mount fixtures.

Also, remember that any wiring that goes from the garage to the second floor will likely need to be fire caulked to maintain your fire rating.

Just something to keep in mind moving forward.

 

[dave*99]

I am seeing these that are almost the same. Cheaper as a package.

2 x 2 Surface Mount Kit

Install a panel in rooms without dropped ceilings by using this PLT 2X2 surface mounting kit. Find the mounting accessories you need at 1000Bulbs.com!

www.1000bulbs.com

Attached is what they recommended on the 1000bulbs.com custom lighting webpage.

My fixtures are 6000 lumens. 2x4 You could possibly use less fixtures. Unless that screws up even light distribution.
They are thinner - I didn't want the drop down frames PLT uses.
My design is shown in this thread.

Lighting for 24x28 shop

So I think I'm off to a rocky start..... I've been reading the best light fixture ever thread for a long time. And I still think I need some help. The basics: Woodshop above garage. Under construction. I have some woodworking machinery to go in the shop. It will have drywall finished...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[AtwaterGarage]

My fixtures are 6000 lumens. 2x4 You could possibly use less fixtures. Unless that screws up even light distribution.
They are thinner - I didn't want the drop down frames PLT uses.
My design is shown in this thread.

Lighting for 24x28 shop

So I think I'm off to a rocky start..... I've been reading the best light fixture ever thread for a long time. And I still think I need some help. The basics: Woodshop above garage. Under construction. I have some woodworking machinery to go in the shop. It will have drywall finished...

www.garagejournal.com

@dave*99 According to the description on HD, the Lithonia panels do need direct surface brackets to be purchased separately too. I think they are thinner like you suggested (DCMK 224). thanks for any advice.

 

[dave*99]

@dave*99 According to the description on HD, the Lithonia panels do need direct surface brackets to be purchased separately too. I think they are thinner like you suggested (DCMK 224). thanks for any advice.

Yes. My model requires separate purchase of the brackets. They have a 4000 lm unit that comes with bracket. So it’s even cheaper. The bracket adds zero height to the light. I wanted it thin like that.

 

[AtwaterGarage]

Yes. My model requires separate purchase of the brackets. They have a 4000 lm unit that comes with bracket. So it’s even cheaper. The bracket adds zero height to the light. I wanted it thin like that.

@dave*99 Sorry, I have mistakened your post as 4000K vs 5000K. Just found the 4000lm model with integrated bracket (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithoni...L-2X4-40LM-SWW7-120-TD-DCMK/316872155#overlay) and they look great.

What color temp did you ended up choosing?

thanks-Hoi

 

[cannuck]

Give some serious thought about what you will be doing and in what locations. If you aren't working, instead of dimmers just wire for every second light or so to be on, but if you are going to do underhood or workbench you need light sources that come from either side of your worksite so you aren't constantly looking into a shadowed area. Also keep in mind that as we age, our visual acuity drops off and you need a lot more light to do the same tasks.

 

[AtwaterGarage]

@cannuck Great recommendations. I am giving myself the possibility to add even more light in the future with 110V outlets in the middle of each bay's ceiling if I want to add a dedicated overhead garage multi-panel lights in the future for work in the far and middle bays.

I figure a dimming feature will allow for energy savings for 90% of the time without adding too much complexities to the wiring and switches.

I am entering my 5th decade and had noticed a drastic decrease in dim light focus, even with my lasik corrected eyes.

 

[dave*99]

@dave*99 How do you like the 4000K model vs the model that allows the selection of 3500/4000/5000K? I am debating about the color temp of 4000K vs 5000K for the garage. I see that the "non-selectable) model is cheaper, and if it comes with brackets, even better.

thanks-Hoi

Check that panel carefully. I think it may be thicker and designed to drop in to a drop ceiling. It's for retrofit if I recall correctly. And check the light output. Mine are 6000 lumens, most are not as bright, typically 4000 lumens.

I will set my panels to 4000K.

Lithonia has at least a dozen similar looking lights - and targeted at specific applications. Low cost commercial retrofit, new construction, flexible output and color etc. Contractor select series, yada yada.

The support folks at Lithonia are very responsive. I had trouble sorting through the catalog.... which light comes with a bracket, etc. They respond to email quickly.