Need help with lights for my new garage

[Jamie V]

I have been working like crazy on my pole barn and I'm about ready to start buying some lights.

Garage is 24' wide 40' deep with 10' ceilings. I just finished insulating, sheathing, and painting the inside (gloss white)


The garage will have all exposed conduit on the walls. I also plan to put a ceiling fan in the center of the garage where that temporary light is hung.

I'm not sure if I need 8' lights, 4' lights 2 bulb lights or 4 bulb lights. I don't know anything about fluorescent lights at all so I need a run down. I have read about needing around 100 lums pr sq/ft but that's it. I know I like it bright so that sounds good.

Also I've read not to buy lights at Home Depot so I need to know where to go.

Thanks
Jamie

 

[Jamie V]

Anyone?

 

[pattenp]

I suggest the 4 tube 8ft T8 fixtures, either from Lowe's or Home Depot.

Edit: 9 to 10 of those will give you around the 100 LU per sqft.

 

[Steevo]

My shop is 24x40 with 12' ceilings.
I used 8' long 4-bulb T8 fixtures (from Lowes).
Mine are on three separate switches, and in 4 rows.

I used 12 fixtures for the overall coverage, in three rows of 4 fixtures long, plus two in a fourth "row" on the side of the room where my bathroom structure is.

I also have three additional 8' fixtures located above workbench areas.

 

[jlckmj]

Another option
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38658

Jim

 

[Jamie V]

Both of you guys suggest lights from lowes (or Home Depot) some guys say not to buy the lights from there????

 

[Steevo]

Both of you guys suggest lights from lowes (or Home Depot) some guys say not to buy the lights from there????

Some guys like to spend more than they have to.

 

[Jamie V]

Are the ballasts better in the ones from an electrical supply store?

 

[Steevo]

Define "better"?

If a modern electronic ballast is designed to operate in low temperatures, not emit RFI beyond legal specifications, and functions reliably, how do you make it "better"?

 

[carcruse]

I used this program to determine the lights needed and then bought the 8' 4-bulb lights from Home Depot

http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/default.aspx?id=15170

 

[Jamie V]

Define "better"?

If a modern electronic ballast is designed to operate in low temperatures, not emit RFI beyond legal specifications, and functions reliably, how do you make it "better"?

Better internal parts? More energy efficient? Longer lasting? Less prone to premature failure?

I don't know that's why I'm asking. I'm a union sheet metal worker and I can tell you that getting ductwork from my shop vs Home Depot is like night and day. I just wasn't sure whether there was a difference.

 

[pattenp]

If you buy Lithonia or Metalux (Cooper) from Lowes or HD they are the same fixture at a electrical supply, just more expensive at the supply house. At least that's been my experience. Stay away from the Utilitech junk at Lowes.

 

[FOWLER]

I used 12 4ft lithonia T5 HO fixtures in my 32x30 garage. I have 10ft ceilings and don't have the walls and floor finished yet and these things are insanely bright, I usually only have 8 of them lit at a time and probably could have got away with fewer fixtures honestly.
If i remember correctly im at 125 lumens per sq ft roughly. I purchased them at Home Depot

 

[Jamie V]

So many good reviews from HD & Lowes I'm going to go for them.

What ***** is I have 8 of these lights that I got from a job for free back in like 2005-2006 but 8 isn't enough.

http://www.kenall.com/Kenall-Files/Product-Files/specificationsheets/MLHA8S.pdf?

 

[Norcal]

So many good reviews from HD & Lowes I'm going to go for them.

What ***** is I have 8 of these lights that I got from a job for free back in like 2005-2006 but 8 isn't enough.

http://www.kenall.com/Kenall-Files/Product-Files/specificationsheets/MLHA8S.pdf?

Have those in my shop.

 

[Jamie V]

Have those in my shop.

How do you like them? How many do you have? What kind of money are they?

Should I buy 8 more to go with my 8 or just buy different ones?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Those are probably expensive. Good quality fixtures, but most likely not worth buying more of. I'd use them and get something to fill out the rest of them.

Charles

 

[Jamie V]

I have OCD (self diagnosed) and everything has to match. So I'd have to with match the ones I have or get all new ones.

 

[Norcal]

How do you like them? How many do you have? What kind of money are they?

Should I buy 8 more to go with my 8 or just buy different ones?

I bought mine from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, they sold for what I would guess for less then a 3rd of cost, which I guess as about $100 each, they were overordered for a school job & the excess was donated. Kenall lighting products are expensive, & these had some options added too.

 

[RickP]

I have OCD (self diagnosed) and everything has to match. So I'd have to with match the ones I have or get all new ones.

Maybe something that matches would come up on ebay.

These are currently listed: Kenall Millenium Stretch Series

They look pretty close, but I'm not sure they would match exactly.