Ceiling light that works on 120 outlet

[gdpolk]

I'm in a rental and can't modify the structure of my garage. That said, I have ONE 60w max light receptacle in my 1-car garage, and it just isn't cutting it. I have ONE 110v wall outlet to plug all my tools into. I've talked with the apartment managers and they won't allow me to have more receptacles professionally installed at my expense without additional fees and loosing my whole security deposit. I need better lighting in there and want to know what are some options that can hang from the ceiling and produce some light that can be simply plugged into the existing 110v outlet for the garage door motor.

Got any decent options? Days are getting shorter now.

 

[bczygan]

Where is your electrical panel?

If it's in the garage, and won't get inspected during your time there, I would just jury rig the circuits I needed.

Pull the cover, shut off the main and install a breaker or two, as needed. Run wire wherever and however you can.

Bill

 

[mds5951]

I'm pretty sure a lot of the 4ft led lights have a plug on them... And some are daisy chain-able so you could link several together and still only take up one receptacle. Plus since they are led they don't take as much electricity... So you could potentially have more on that circuit before you pop a breaker...

I.e....
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-4-ft-White-LED-Linkable-Shop-Light-54103161/205331022


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[machine_punk]

While it is NOT my preference, I replaced the light in my garage with a porcelain socket with an outlet on it (the outlet is 'on' when the light is flipped on).

I then ran a heavy extension cord to the middle of the ceiling, with a six-outlet strip attached. I then plugged in 6 'shop lights.' (4-foot T8 dual-bulb fixtures, with 5K/Daylight bulbs).

Looks a little dumpy, but STELLAR lighting.

I'll see if I can find a pic.

KDub

 

[chrisnazzy]

I recently bought this for above my workbench and I like it a lot. Its LED, 4000 Lumens, plugs in 110 outlet and isn't permanent.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...shed-LED-Nickel-Shop-Light-54264141/206028859


I just saw they have it in 3 foot as well

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerci...shed-LED-Nickel-Shop-Light-54264141/206028859

 

[PJNJ]

Just pick up some LED shop lights that can be linked/plugged together and hang from the ceiling like these:

http://www.costco.com/4’-Linkable-LED-Shop-Light-with-Pull-Chain-2-pack.product.100284402.html

Big box stores should also have them. Just make sure that they are linkable - have outlets in the light fixture that allow them to be plugged together. That way you only have to plug one of them into the garage door opener. And make sure you use LED as they hopefully will use less power.

I wouldn't waste time, effort or money re-wiring the garage and potentially put your security deposit at risk.

 

[MW.]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-LED-Linka...237064?hash=item35ff953c48:g:BMgAAOSwn9lXKk16
I just got some like these and am impressed so far. You can get an adapter that screws in in place of the bulb to plug them into.

 

[gdpolk]

Where is your electrical panel?

If it's in the garage, and won't get inspected during your time there, I would just jury rig the circuits I needed.

Pull the cover, shut off the main and install a breaker or two, as needed. Run wire wherever and however you can.

Bill

I don't know. My garage is in a detached bay of garages and I'm on the end. It's unfortunately not in mine. If it were, I'd have several new outlets with wires tacked to the walls for easy removal with the Christmas lights channels.

 

[Squ1d]

Similar situation here.

I put a two bulb screw in splitter on my one ceiling light and screwed in two 60w equivalent LED lights . I plugged in a LED ceiling fixture to my ceiling outlet next to the garage door opener.

I chose LEDs so I didn't overload the circuit. I can try to snap some pictures.


-D.B.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Zip tie a powerstrip by the garage door opener.

 

[beamrider]

If you've only got 1 outlet and a garage door opener, you'll be lucky if the entire garage isn't run off a single breaker somewhere. Ive seen 7 garage buildings wired like this at several apartment complexes that I've done work for.

That being said, linkable LED lights are probably the best bet.

 

[gdpolk]

The linking LED's look like the best idea and I can use them in the future when I get out of the apartment. I'll look at grabbing a few and dangling them around as I can. It really ***** not having the ability to do basic stuff like get decent lighting or run more than one outlet to an area like a garage.

 

[bluebolt]

I just hung a pair of linkable LED shoplights in my garage, they work great. Pretty sure I got them at Home Depot.

 

[bczygan]

I don't know. My garage is in a detached bay of garages and I'm on the end. It's unfortunately not in mine. If it were, I'd have several new outlets with wires tacked to the walls for easy removal with the Christmas lights channels.

That is just crappy design. My hangar is the same way, and it's stupid. If I overload the circuit, then lights in a whole row of hangars go out, and I have no way to reset the breaker. Same could happen in your situation. It's not likely for the opener. You probably have a separate circuit for each garage because it's a motor load. I would install a switch so the lights could be switched off before the opener was operated. A plug strip with a long cord would work, hanging down far enough to turn it off and on. But if you add too many lights, or operate them at the same time as the opener, you could pop the breaker on that circuit.

The outlet could be hooked up to the ones in other garages, or it could be a separate circuit for your garage. In either case a plug strip will give you more places to plug things in, but if overloaded, you have no access to reset the breaker. Might do well to find out where that panel is, and find out if you can get access.

Your best move is to just get the hell out of there. You are throwing your money away by renting. NEVER RENT OR LEASE ANYTHING!!!

Bill

 

[Askme42]

That is just crappy design. My hangar is the same way, and it's stupid. If I overload the circuit, then lights in a whole row of hangars go out, and I have no way to reset the breaker. Same could happen in your situation. It's not likely for the opener. You probably have a separate circuit for each garage because it's a motor load. I would install a switch so the lights could be switched off before the opener was operated. A plug strip with a long cord would work, hanging down far enough to turn it off and on. But if you add too many lights, or operate them at the same time as the opener, you could pop the breaker on that circuit.

The outlet could be hooked up to the ones in other garages, or it could be a separate circuit for your garage. In either case a plug strip will give you more places to plug things in, but if overloaded, you have no access to reset the breaker. Might do well to find out where that panel is, and find out if you can get access.

Your best move is to just get the hell out of there. You are throwing your money away by renting. NEVER RENT OR LEASE ANYTHING!!!

Bill

Not really gonna get into it on here but renting isn't really throwing money away.


I could make the same argument that a mortgage is just throwing money away at taxes and interest.

 

[pendragon1998]

I put up 4 daisy chained LED fixtures in my rental and I have been very happy. Pro tip: but a little wireless remote controlled plug kit and you can have a light switch anywhere you want (leave it by the door or keep on your key chain).

Woods 32555 Weatherproof Outdoor Outlet Wireless Remote Control Converter Kit, 16/3 Grounded Cord https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q9EFUK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[maxpower_hd]

If the lights and outlet are on the same circuit, which it sounds like they are, I might buy a nice heavy extension cord and run the lights from a different circuit elsewhere. Then use the LED work lights mentioned here. You could also rig up a power strip/surge protector to use as a switch.

If I were the owner of this rental and a tenant offered to upgrade the electrical at their expense I would be happy about it. As long as it was done legally and by a licensed electrician. I won't argue if renting is a good or bad idea but it sounds like a pretty stern landlord to me. So plus one for owning. I own and my landlord is awesome.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Definitely get LED shop lights and ones that come with a cord and can be daisy chained. It'll minimize load on the circuit (could be shared with other units).

I would get a lamp socket adapter with a outlet. It screws into the light socket and will give you an "outlet" for the shop lights.

 

[Mechatricity]

As others have said, LEDs are the way to go and make the electrical constraints mostly a non-issue (at least for lighting). An easy-button/cheapest option if you have a single 60w ceramic bulb base (couldn't quite tell from your description) would be one of these + 4, 60w equivalent LED bulbs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004L8XC34/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That'll give you roughly 3200 lumens with ~36 watt draw using modern LED A19 bulbs.

I also recently noticed that my power company (Duke Energy) was giving away 60W equiv. LED bulbs on their website for account holders. I just got 12 bulbs from them for free the other day. Might be worth checking with your power company for a promotion like that.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

So you really have 2 outlets (1 on the wall and 1 on the ceiling for the overhead door) and 1 light fixture base (wall-switched), correct?

See if you can get access to the panel and whether you unit has a dedicated circuit, what size (likely 15A) and/or how the circuits are powered (switched breaker off/on).

 

[rlitman]

...That being said, linkable LED lights are probably the best bet.

Agreed, but I would also follow the advice about screwing an outlet adapter into the bulb socket, and powering it off of that. Especially if the light socket is on a different circuit than the single outlet you have for tool use.

That way, if a tool trips the breaker, the lights don't go out.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Assuming... I wouldn't be surprised if the light and the outlet were on the same circuit. With the overhead door being separate. Maybe even not... depending on the size of the motor. A lot of assumptions.

Code in my area is 1 outlet and 1 light in a garage (minimum). No reason they can't be on a single 15A circuit (not that I would).

 

[Ol'WhiteCap]

I purchased 2 4' led fixtures for my garage. I am so happy with the extra light at less cost, that I just bought two more fixtures for my garage. Then in about a month, I plan on getting two more fixtures.
How am I wiring the fixtures? Two to the single ceiling light fixtures. I have two in my double garage. Then I plan to get adapters that screw into my garage door opener. To plug the last two fixtures into. This lots of light, that just might make the garage more resale able in a couple of years.
If nothing else, lots of light!

 

[machine_punk]

I took a picture of my current (new to me) garage. I will be putting in plenty of 120 & 240 outlets eventually, but for now, I have to get by with what I have. I don't necessarily recommend it, but it is what I am doing now...

I replaced the light in the garage with a ceramic socket with an outlet. I ran a heavy gauge cord to a six-outlet strip, near the lights. I hung two standard, 4-foot, 2-tube, fluorescent shop lights and plugged them into the six-outlet strip.

I then replaced the bulb on the wall fixture with an LED bulb. If I was doing this from scratch (I already had the shop lights, from my old garage), I'd make it a completely-LED solution (with LED shop lights as well).

I needed to get everything off the one 15-amp outlet in the garage, so I could plug my welder in for now (Lincoln 210 MP).

View media item 62797
KDub

 

[theoldwizard1]

I took a picture of my current (new to me) garage. I will be putting in plenty of 120 & 240 outlets eventually, but for now, I have to get by with what I have. I don't necessarily recommend it, but it is what I am doing now...

I replaced the light in the garage with a ceramic socket with an outlet. I ran a heavy gauge cord to a six-outlet strip, near the lights. I hung two standard, 4-foot, 2-tube, fluorescent shop lights and plugged them into the six-outlet strip.

EXCELLENT !

If your landlord is not too nosy, remove the porcelain Edison-base (screw-in) fixture from the ceiling and replace it with a octagon cover plate with a duplex outlet. Then your florescent/LED tube lights are switched !

 

[toolz]

Just pick up some LED shop lights that can be linked/plugged together and hang from the ceiling like these:

http://www.costco.com/4’-Linkable-LED-Shop-Light-with-Pull-Chain-2-pack.product.100284402.html

Big box stores should also have them. Just make sure that they are linkable - have outlets in the light fixture that allow them to be plugged together. That way you only have to plug one of them into the garage door opener. And make sure you use LED as they hopefully will use less power.

I wouldn't waste time, effort or money re-wiring the garage and potentially put your security deposit at risk.

This.