Picked up some Lithonia TH400M High Bay's today...

[BCK]

So on a whim, I snatched up some of these Lithonia Low Bays (not High, my error) for $40ea with working 400w bulbs figuring they were a pretty good deal. Thought maybe they'd be good for my garage. Anyone have any input on High Bay's in a residential garage w/ 10 ceiling? These will hang down another 2ft so they will effectively be about 8ft off the floor. I know they are designed so that the luminaire is less than 20ft from the floor, but I'm not sure if 8ft is too low...? For the money I couldnt go wrong...? Experience and input anyone...? Fixtures are 22" diameter across...

Were they a good deal? They seem to be going for $200+ online...and they plug into a std 110v outlet so they'll be stupid easy to mount and use.

 

[nehog]

Well, I really, really like my HID lights! I have four per bay and when on it is very bright in there. As far as price goes, not bad either. I replaced my bulbs when I hung my lamps (got a good deal on eBay) so all would be color and light level matched.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

With the bottom of the lights at 8 ft off the floor, and having the aluminum reflectors (so no uplighting) you are certain to have "hot spots" where the lights are bright and areas in between where there is virtually no light. These lights, low bay or high, just won't work well that low.

The price was good, used ones generally bring in the $50 to $100 each range.

I have twelve installed, 400w MH with polycarbonate reflectors that give lots of uplight. They are mounted 15 to 16 ft from the floor. I paid $40 each for 13 of the fixtures (kept one as a spare) and they gave me 19 bulbs, all had been removed from Wal-Marts and Sam's Clubs in the Atlanta area when they were converted to T8 fluorescent, so the seller had thousands of them, which keeps the price down. All the bulbs were good and while a couple of them are going pinkish (beginning to fail I suspect) they are not bad enough to warrant replacement yet. Here is MY LIGHTING THREAD for comparison.

They draw 4 amps each on 120v, so you can put up to four and no more on a 20 amp circuit.

Charles

 

[BCK]

Awsome info...thanks guys! I may do one or two in strategic locations like over my workbench etc for additional downward lighting...

 

[nehog]

...
They draw 4 amps each on 120v, so you can put up to four and no more on a 20 amp circuit.

Charles

When I did mine, I measured the current for each one. Had a couple below 4 amps, but most were 4.0 to 4.2 amps. Because mine were quad voltage (120/208/240/277) I wired them at 240 volts, on a 20 amp breaker (I may up that to 30 later, it is wired with 10 AWG). However, I only actually installed eight fixtures and kept the remaining four on the shelf for later mounting and use.

 

[BCK]

Anyone got pics of them in their shop/garage...??? Would love to see some layouts, mounting, e

 

[Dragster Racer]

I am picturing a beam of light like being beamed up in Star Trek. LOL.
Nice score with the price for sure.

 

[nehog]

No good pictures, but my shop is arranged in three equal sections (the main support I beams divide at 20 and 40 ft along the 60 ft side.) For the end section where I do most of my work and where the lift is, I hung four fixtures, spaced relatively equally. For the other two sections (where there are overhead doors, which made hanging light more difficult) I put two lights close to the center line in each. Switches for each of the three sections. I also have T-8 fixtures (eight) in each bay, but with the HIDs on, I can turn off the florescent lights and you don't even notice a drop in lighting!

 

[walrus]

The 400 watt ballast I install are 4.6 amps rated, thats what I go by, I wouldn't install more than 3 on a 20 amp circuit. Also I wouldn't want those a few feet over my head, I don't believe its healthy but maybe thats another style hi bay

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Its easy enough for the OP to install a couple of eyebolts in the ceiling and jury rig a wire pigtail and extension cords to see what the light from a couple of them would look like.

The fixtures I have were all rated at 4.0 amps, however, some were made in Ill, and some in Mexico, both had the same p/n's and labels on them otherwise. The Ill made ones tended to draw more amps, 4.0 to 4.2 while the Mexican made ones, drew 3.7 to 4.0. I checked every one using the same bulb when I was testing them, before I installed them. The bulbs are all the "energy saver" 360 watt replacements for the 400 watt fixtures, all probe start (obsolete design now, as pulse start is the norm. You can, however, still get probe start bulbs.)

Charles

 

[gatchel]

When I did mine, I measured the current for each one. Had a couple below 4 amps, but most were 4.0 to 4.2 amps. Because mine were quad voltage (120/208/240/277) I wired them at 240 volts, on a 20 amp breaker (I may up that to 30 later, it is wired with 10 AWG). However, I only actually installed eight fixtures and kept the remaining four on the shelf for later mounting and use.

Are you allowed to run 240v lighting circuits in a residential environment?

 

[rasit]

I go into my "residential environment" when I'm done playing in the garage. We should never confuse the two......
240V lighting circuits are no problem as long as they are installed properly.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Are you allowed to run 240v lighting circuits in a residential environment?

In a residence (including attached garage), lighting cannot exceed 120v. If a detached structure, 240v lighting would be OK by the code. 210.6(A) and (B).

Charles

 

[nehog]

Its easy enough for the OP to install a couple of eyebolts in the ceiling and jury rig a wire pigtail and extension cords to see what the light from a couple of them would look like.
...

That is what I did, (hung from the purlins which are exposed). Just put a temporary cord on it, and an extension cord (face it, only 4 amps average, so a 14 AWG cord (I have several) worked just fine.)

Most of these light are adjustable, that is the bulb can be moved up and down in relation to the reflector. Mine, which have a glass reflector (gives a lot of up/side light) are moved down as much as possible giving the widest pattern, and I have very even lighting.

I ran my 'test' light for a week or two (actually had two, as I had two types of fixtures) and realized that they'd work well where I was planning to have them.

 

[gatchel]

In a residence (including attached garage), lighting cannot exceed 120v. If a detached structure, 240v lighting would be OK by the code. 210.6(A) and (B).

Charles

cool. Thx.