22x22 lighting

[Jonny006]

Hello all-
New guy here been lurking for awhile.
As title implies I have an attached 22x22 garage that has been the bane of my existence since moving 19mos ago. It's 40 yrs old and has a peaked roof and it was never finished. So, that's what I've been doing. Finally got around to putting 2x12 rafters in for an acceptable ceiling with pull down stairs. now there is ample storage available above with a peak height of 6'+ and my ceiling is a nice 10' or so.
Electrician is coming on Sunday to run a new 12-2 line from the box. going to be putting a bunch of outlets along the walls, two on ceiling for garage openers, two off that for attic keyhole lights. The original two bulb lighting with a switch will remain and a new switch is going in for new lights.
That said, like so many others here I am in a debate about lighting. I have a friend who has offered me 6, 4' T8 3 bulb lights. I think from the pic he sent that they are designed for drop ceilings and have removable diffusers.
Question is, will this be sufficient? The walls and ceiling will be finished off and insulated in white with only the lower half a color. I will use 2 4' shop lights for workbench area. The garage is mainly my oasis workshop for motorcycle repair and puttering so good lighting is key. It is also our main entry way since with three kids under 4, the widest easiest entry is preferred.
Thanks in advance for replies and great site!

 

[Platonic Solid]

Hello all-
New guy here been lurking for awhile.
As title implies I have an attached 22x22 garage that has been the bane of my existence since moving 19mos ago. It's 40 yrs old and has a peaked roof and it was never finished. So, that's what I've been doing. Finally got around to putting 2x12 rafters in for an acceptable ceiling with pull down stairs. now there is ample storage available above with a peak height of 6'+ and my ceiling is a nice 10' or so.
Electrician is coming on Sunday to run a new 12-2 line from the box. going to be putting a bunch of outlets along the walls, two on ceiling for garage openers, two off that for attic keyhole lights. The original two bulb lighting with a switch will remain and a new switch is going in for new lights.
That said, like so many others here I am in a debate about lighting. I have a friend who has offered me 6, 4' T8 3 bulb lights. I think from the pic he sent that they are designed for drop ceilings and have removable diffusers.
Question is, will this be sufficient? The walls and ceiling will be finished off and insulated in white with only the lower half a color. I will use 2 4' shop lights for workbench area. The garage is mainly my oasis workshop for motorcycle repair and puttering so good lighting is key. It is also our main entry way since with three kids under 4, the widest easiest entry is preferred.
Thanks in advance for replies and great site!

Max out their light output to 10975 bare lamp lumens per fixture.

Replace Acrylic diffuser with new.
Replace Lamps and Ballast with below:

Lamp:
F32T8 ADV841 ALTO 280859 . . . $2.86

Ballast:
QTP3X32T8/UNV ISH-SC 49845 . . . $24.40

Disclaimer: Ballast is non-residential Class A and may cause undesirable radio interference. For residential Class B Ballast you'll have to do your own searching.

Above recommendation assumes current fixtures are wired with Instant Start Ballasts and shunted lamp holders.

 

[Jonny006]

Lamps are being upgraded with new electric ballasts by the guy giving them to me. He is also supplying bulbs. Not sure on brand.
He is a former electrical engineer and started explaining things and I got confused fast! He did say that these will be instant start and work at low temps. He feels that these will be very bright. I hope so! I don't want to have to tear open the ceiling to re-wire and add more lights.

Max out their light output to 10975 bare lamp lumens per fixture.

Replace Acrylic diffuser with new.
Replace Lamps and Ballast with below:

Lamp:
F32T8 ADV841 ALTO 280859 . . . $2.86

Ballast:
QTP3X32T8/UNV ISH-SC 49845 . . . $24.40

Disclaimer: Ballast is non-residential Class A and may cause undesirable radio interference. For residential Class B Ballast you'll have to do your own searching.

Above recommendation assumes current fixtures are wired with Instant Start Ballasts and shunted lamp holders.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Lamps are being upgraded with new electric ballasts by the guy giving them to me. He is also supplying bulbs. Not sure on brand.
He is a former electrical engineer and started explaining things and I got confused fast! He did say that these will be instant start and work at low temps. He feels that these will be very bright. I hope so! I don't want to have to tear open the ceiling to re-wire and add more lights.

So the answer to your original "will this be sufficient" question lies in the hands of the guy installing the ballasts and supplying the lamps. Lumen output can vary greatly, so you're in a "install them and see" position.

 

[ford33]

Six fixtures in a 22 x 22 garage is fine. I have four in a 20 x 20 and they provide sufficient light. It is not too bright in my garage but it is sufficient. I think having two more would be very nice in my garage.

It is not difficult to add a couple more later if necessary.

 

[Platonic Solid]

...
It is not difficult to add a couple more later if necessary.

If this statement is accurate: " I think from the pic he sent that they are designed for drop ceilings and have removable diffusers. " Then adding more in the future could be a pain (depending on how they're being mounted), though I agree that 6, 4ft 3 lamp fixtures should be fine.

Actually Jonny, having been exposed to no end of customers who have ordered Flanged for a Troffer application (and vice versa) - How are you planning on mounting these?

 

[Jonny006]

Mounting them is unknown right now. I have yet to see them in person. My thinking was just to screw them flush to the sheetrock. There is a chance that these lights won't work for my application which would be a bummer for sure. If that's the case then I will be sourcing similar setups but the same configuration. At least the bulbs will be free!
Originally I had thought of going with 2 or 3 8' T5 that HD has. They are around $60ea + bulbs. But when this guy told me he had free stuff, well that changed things. I am on a tight budget but I won't go too cheap. Been there and wound up spending more to correct it!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I believe things will be looking bright. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a former Electrical Engineer assembling light fixtures for our garage, and for free to boot....
Between him and your Local Electrician, I doubt you will be left in the dark.

 

[Nick_Wa]

I have a 24*24 with 9 lights, 4' T8 dual bulbs. So total 18 4' T8s and it is way bright for me. I have them on two zones.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Mounting them is unknown right now. I have yet to see them in person. My thinking was just to screw them flush to the sheetrock. There is a chance that these lights won't work for my application which would be a bummer for sure. If that's the case then I will be sourcing similar setups but the same configuration. At least the bulbs will be free!
Originally I had thought of going with 2 or 3 8' T5 that HD has. They are around $60ea + bulbs. But when this guy told me he had free stuff, well that changed things. I am on a tight budget but I won't go too cheap. Been there and wound up spending more to correct it!

They sell troffer to flange conversion kits (or you could make your own):

See last page of this PDF

Similar item for sale:

http://www.gordonelectricsupply.com...ocess~search?gclid=CI3YhbT0xsMCFe7m7AodkHQApw

https://www.elliottelectric.com/Products/Detail.aspx?v=COO&c=FCS24WU

Definitions:
Troffer = Light fixture designed for suspended “T” grid ceiling
Flanged = Light fixture with external flange designed for drywall mounting (do not rely on drywall to support fixture).

 

[Jonny006]

Hmmm..I don't know if I am keen on the flush sheetrock install. In a home maybe. But the garage for me anyway, still needs that industrial look.
I spoke to my buddy today and I am headed to his house tomorrow. I am getting 2 8' 2bulb fixtures and either 4 or 6 of the 4' ones. Since one of the sides of my garage is essentially the workshop I will put the 8' ones over there and work out the others for a good spread. I think I will map it out on paper tonight.
I will post up some pics as I get them installed.
Thanks!

 

[WanderingSol07]

I too have a 22x24 w/ 9' ceiling. Mine is all drywalled and painted white. I have two bulb 4' T8's between the cars (3 fixtures) and 1 in front of each car. They hang down from the ceiling to be about 8' off the floor. Oh yeah, plus 1 more over my work bench in the corner.

I plan to another 3 along the sides and middle, so there will be 2 fixtures on the sides of each car, 3 rows of 2. I really want to add a 3rd light in each row, if I have space, plus another over the rear of each car close to the overhead door wall.

My floor is an open grid gray polyethylene flooring.

So with 11 4' long T8's I think I may have enough, but just barely.

I have already replaced one 24' wall of lawn tools and what not hanging with 1' deep by 6' high cabinets with melamine doors. That has brighten the space significantly.

I plan to repaint with a high gloss white this summer, currently have a flat white.

So for me it seems, there is never too much light.

 

[Jonny006]

Wow! That's gotta be bright!
Honestly, I've been getting by with 2 hanging 4' shop lights for so long in the garage that anything will be an improvement. And once I get the walls and ceiling sheetrocked I imagine that alone will brighten things up significantly.

 

[Jonny006]

I picked up the lights yesterday. What I got was 2 8' with four bulbs and 3 of the troffer lights. What I did not know at the time is that these are 277V? fixtures. He gave me 2 new electronic ballasts for the 8'ers but I will have to source my own for the others. Also got a case of T8 bulbs. Prob enough to last my grandkids.
After looking at the troffers I am thinking of going a different route. It will be a lot of work to get them going and unless they are in a drop ceiling I just think they'll look "weird". I may save them for the basement which has a drop and currently 2' lights.
So, the question is, what other lights to get? Given the dimensions of my garage I should point out that the majority of my work on the bikes is relegated to the left bay. So that is where I will want most of my light. I was thinking of using the 8' and putting them horizontally. So maybe 4' off the rear wall and 3' in from the side. Then putting the second one 4' away from that. That means the edge of the second light will be 9' in from the rear wall. Suggestions on what to put in the other 13' of ceiling space? Obviously when the door is open that area will be covered somewhat. And, since I have the bulbs, I want to stay within the T8 realm.
My thought was going to HD and picking up a bunch of 4' fixtures. Maybe run two in the same configuration as the 8'ers and then putting 4 on the other bay side.
I wish I had some sort of drawing program so I could draw out what I'm talking about. Unfortunately my computer skills are limited to typing and searching.

 

[Platonic Solid]

I wish I had some sort of drawing program so I could draw out what I'm talking about. Unfortunately my computer skills are limited to typing and searching.

http://www.gliffy.com/

 

[Jonny006]

Cool. I'll play with it.
Thanks!

 

[Platonic Solid]

Hmm, that one looks like it's for flow charts. Just google "free drawing program". I'm just not sure which one is best as I use professional grade (far from free) software. This quest may be worth having it's own thread.

OK, I searched the forum and this topic keeps coming up:

Google Sketchup seems to be the free program of choice.

Also see these threads:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233771&highlight=drawing+program

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234611&highlight=drawing+program

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184017&highlight=drawing+program