Garage Lights

[nate379]

My garage is 24x26 and right now has 4 T8 housings (2 bulbs per). It's ok light but I have been wanting to add a bit more. If I have the vehicle door open it's bad because 2 of the lights are ontop of the door then.

They are spaced about evenly apart so I was thinking of putting another 2 housings in the middle for a total of 6.

But then at Lowe's I found housings that are 8ft, 4 T8 bulbs. Almost thinking of putting 4 of those.

I wouldn't have to run more wire with those... though they are $45 each so total cost of $180.

Vs adding 2 housings at $28 each, for total of $56... maybe $65 if you factor in the bit of wiring I'd need to buy as well.

Other thing I'm thinking is yeah that'd be a ton of light but I have to pay the electric bill at the end of the month as well. Current setup runs about $0.04/hr to run, adding 2 more housings would be $0.06/hr and the 8ft units would run me $0.08.
At the end of the month looking at a ~$10 difference, which is a fair bit considering my bill it usually around $50-60.

Anyone have $0.02....? I am leaning toward just keeping it simple and putting 2 housings but maybe I haven't thought of an option C yet?

 

[redcorvetteman3]

newbie here but..

what about having a few light switch's?

Example:

Being able to turn the lights off above the garage door when the door is open. I had the same problem untill I add another switch. Its just a way to help save a few coins.

 

[toyz4roy]

If you want to make it really trick, add the switches to the garage door so as soon as the door goes up the lights the doors block automatically go off. When the door goes back down the lights come back on.

 

[425hp]

You can never have too many lights in a garage.

 

[cranejon]

Try a light supply house and get NATURAL light bulbs. They are a different frequency/color and actually provide better ship light. However, they do cost more.

 

[stockd15b]

i have 6 8' t8s in my standard 19x20 2 car garage. absolutely amazing.

 

[nate379]

Yes that would be "ideal". Or just turning on one light when I walk through to let the dog outside, but I'd have to take some creative wiring to do it without pulling down some drywall.

newbie here but..

what about having a few light switch's?

Example:

Being able to turn the lights off above the garage door when the door is open. I had the same problem untill I add another switch. Its just a way to help save a few coins.

With the 4 housings I have I'm at 38 lumens per sq ft, where if I put 2 more it will be 58 lumens and if I use the big (and $$) housings it would be 77.

I was reading a couple old post and I don't know if I'm part vampire or all of you guys are Roy Orbison but some guys had close to 200 lumens per sq ft. That is probably competing with a freaking grow operation

 

[70redbee]

Try putting some lights mounted on the wall vs on the ceiling and switch them seperatly. I did this and could not believe the difference. Puts light on the project without shadows. Just a thought for you, good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[nate379]

Trying to avoid wall lights since I haven't put up cabinets/shelves yet and I'm not too sure where all I'm putting them. If I hang lights just on the ceiling they won't be in the way.

 

[Steevo]

I used the Lowes 8-foot four-bulb T8 fixtures in my shop. I have 16 fixtures in 960 sq ft, for 154 lumens per sq/ft.
It is just about right, light-wise.

 

[BHR4CE1]

I went with 12 2-bulb T-8 recessed fixtures for my standard 2-car garage. You can only see 8 of them here because the old garage door is blocking 4 of them. Plenty of light and I had them wired on multiple switches so I can just turn on the ones I want/need.

 

[nate379]

Got it done today. Put in 3 more housings ANC changed all the bulbs to 4100k. Was not fun wading thru 2 ft of insulation to run the wires.

 

[gabedad]

I just bought 8 4ft utilitech lights for a 24x30 barn. It has not been wired yet but I think I will have enough

 

[Falcon67]

I don't wanna hear no bitchin' from a guy with a $60 electric bill. We're going out for steaks if the light bill is under $150 and there is no shop to power here yet. Go with the 8 x 4 fixtures, they work well and may use a little less power than two 4' fixtures. I prefer the 4 footers because I can space them out better. I used 12 in a 20x24 with an 8x4 over the work bench. Lots of light.

Be prepared to replace at least one ballast soon after install, unless you have better luck that some.

 

[nate379]

I'd have a fawking heart attack if I had a $150 power bill! It's something around $0.19 per KWH so it's not like it's cheap. I just turn off **** if it's not in use.

BHR4CE1 why do you have a bunch of tank hanging off your roof?

 

[Falcon67]

I'd have a fawking heart attack if I had a $150 power bill! It's something around $0.19 per KWH so it's not like it's cheap. I just turn off **** if it's not in use.

BHR4CE1 why do you have a bunch of tank hanging off your roof?

Our light bill in Houston in the 90s with an all electric 2400 sq/ft two story was 220~350. Here, we're at 11.5/KwH all electric. A/C and water heat is about it. Winter can be worse, the heater uses 12.5 Kw when it's on. We could cut some off the bill if AEP wasn't so stupid that they can't figure out their pole is 20' from our co-op pole. "We don't show we serve your area sir..."

 

[Disney]

I hear you guys. My elec bill hovers around 250 in the winter, 120 in spring and fall, and 200 in summer.

On the lights, I have a 24x30 and I ended up with 15 2x4' fixtures. I'm still looking at places to put some lights to fill every nook and cranny of every car with light.

 

[mdbeck1]

I'd have a fawking heart attack if I had a $150 power bill! It's something around $0.19 per KWH so it's not like it's cheap. I just turn off **** if it's not in use.

BHR4CE1 why do you have a bunch of tank hanging off your roof?

I think the tanks on BHR4CEI's roof/ceiling are for fire suppression.

 

[dave67fd]

36 T8's in a 38x28x10. These are 8' fixtures housing 4 T8's. I have tons of light. Don't purchase the Home Depot or Lowes fixtures they use the China made ballasts that don't last and can eat bulbs. These fixtures are well made with high quality UL listed transformers.

http://www.contractorlighting.com/8ft-lamp-watt-fluorescent-double-channel-strip-120277-p-176.html

 

[BHR4CE1]

I'd have a fawking heart attack if I had a $150 power bill! It's something around $0.19 per KWH so it's not like it's cheap. I just turn off **** if it's not in use.

Damn... I'd KILL for a $150 electric bill!!! Mine runs around $725-$800 a month here, and once this garage is done, I'm guessing it will go up a bit.

BHR4CE1 why do you have a bunch of tank hanging off your roof?

Those are automatic fire extinguishers.

 

[mpire]

What makes a good transformer? Can I get away with a GE branded transformer or do i need to buy something special?

 

[SteelHorseHD]

I bought 9 of the 8 foot fixtures with 4 T8 bulbs from Lowes for my 36x45. The lights are amazing and dont put off one bit of noise but the RFI is so bad I can't listen to the radio in my shop. I would look for a better brand than what they sell at Lowes. But, if you don't listen to FM stations then go right ahead! you cant beat the price and so far I haven't had one issue with them and it's going on 1 year.

 

[nate379]

I hope that you are making pretty good money selling all that weed though! Seriously WTF are you running to use $800/month in power? That is a mortgage payment!

Damn... I'd KILL for a $150 electric bill!!! Mine runs around $725-$800 a month here, and once this garage is done, I'm guessing it will go up a bit.




Those are automatic fire extinguishers.

 

[Chezelle]

Re: Power Bill

Don't mean to change the subject but:

If you don't already have it...you could probably save a bunch with either of the "Time of Use" rates IF your power company offers it depending on how much juice you would use at On Peak hours.

In the Carolinas we have 3 choices:

1) Regular
Straight 10.5 cents per kwh

2)Time Use Demand
On Peak Hours 6.5 cents per kwh
Off Peak Hours 5.5 cents per kwh
On Peak Hours Demand charge (Av. max demand pull per 15 minutes)$4-$5 per KW Demand

3)Time Use All Energy
On Peak 15.5 kwh
Off Peak 5.5 kwh
No demand charge

I tried all the plans but #3 plan saved me a lot more without the demand charge as long as I don't use over 30% on peak I save. If you were a business the second would probably be better. I even tried switching from gas to an electric tank water heater with a timer to only run at Off Peak hours and I still come out cheaper still while using more power and as a bonus don't have to hassle with the gas man and buy gas anymore...and that's what made me try it in the first place was the gas man hassling me with extra charges.

Check on it, maybe it'll work for you...

BL

 

[BHR4CE1]

I hope that you are making pretty good money selling all that weed though! Seriously WTF are you running to use $800/month in power? That is a mortgage payment!

It's called living in Southern California (So-cal Edison *****) with a 5600 Sq Ft house and an air conditioned garage. I wish it wasn't true! Back in FL, my home is about the same size and the electric bill never goes above $225! and in FL the more electric you use, the less it is per KWH. Here in SOCAL it is the opposite. The more you use, the higher the tier they put you on. I am ALWAYS in the highest tier. It is a total scam!