Question on garage light fixtures

[Platonic Solid]

Usually the first time Dialux opens a new IES file that isn't complete (as most Lithonia files aren't), it comes up with a dialog box where you have the option of entering the fixture size and lens size (aka: luminous opening). There is a check box for round which obviously shouldn't be checked. Try renaming a copy of your chosen IES file and then open in Dialux to see if it gives you the "new file has issues" dialog box.

 

[smalltown]

Ok tried that. Fought with it a little, then discovered that after entering the fixture info it would automatically check that the fixture was round. Corrected that and now when I drag and drop the fixture into my plan it shows as a 2x2 fixture.

Thanks again.

 

[smalltown]

Just a quick update. I finally decided on which lights, and how I was to place them.
I wanted to install the 2x4 flat panels with the long side facing front to back of the garage.
The web site it showed the lights panels sliding in on the long side, but when received they install on the short side. So I turned all the lights 90 Deg.

Anyway after procrastinating, and a few unexpected surgeries, and backordered lights I finally have my lights.

Today I fired up the first of 11, 2x4 panels, and was pleasantly surprised at just how much illumination I had.

My first photo was a daytime photo, and the camera auto dimmed everything dark around it.
The second photo I took this evening (with the flash deactivated) showing only the single light panel lit.
The last photo shows the light as I pan to the rear of the garage 31 feet away.
Since I opted for conduit up in my trussed ceiling its taken me longer to install not to mention the high heat in the attic. It's slow going, but now that I have all the kinks worked out I'm headed in the right direction.

Yes it is a mess. After I finish my lights the next project is a workbench, and some decent over the bench cabinets.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Wow, that's a lot of conduit up on the wall! Are you planning for some exceptional additional project?

While everyone loves "work in progress " photos, I think you could have skipped ahead a few steps. Lol. I would break my neck working in your space!

I have never been a fan of attached garages. Mainly because , as others have mentioned, what I really want is a shop, not a garage. It sounds dumb reading it on the page but I just realized your space would be a great place to park a car. Why in the world do so many people turn their "car room" into a workshop or junk drawer?

I now wish I had planned for both an attached garage and free standing shop.

It is hard to tell from a single light but I think your finished lighting will be evenly lit and much better than the typical builder garage.

 

[Platonic Solid]

...
I have never been a fan of attached garages. Mainly because , as others have mentioned, what I really want is a shop, not a garage. It sounds dumb reading it on the page but I just realized your space would be a great place to park a car. Why in the world do so many people turn their "car room" into a workshop or junk drawer?...

Love the insight. I think the junk drawer effect is the result of combining car storage, toy storage and workshop and you end up with neither. My "space" resembles smalltown's more often than not.

 

[pbon]

Most people don’t have the space and/or money for a dedicated garage and a shop. I’d love to have twice the space, whether in the same building or another very close by. The further away it is the less inviting but is to go to when there is a foot of snow, it is zero degrees F, the wind is blowing, and it is dark by 4:30 pm.

 

[smalltown]

Well I finally (yes finally) turned on my lighting.
It's been a long time coming.
Procrastinating, and 4 surgical room visits later I started.
I thought waiting for summer would be the best: saving on lost heat through the ceiling access, but what a mistake I never thought about the heat buildup.

Anyway the lights are up and working just fine while I wait to order the dimmer, but otherwise elated at the result. I tried a couple of time to make a descent video, but I am not sure I capture what I have done.
Yes I am well aware the place needs some serious cleaning up, and with the honey do remodel going on things including lights came in last. At least now I can see.
Funny thing after not having lighting for so long I caught myself several times going out there with a hand held light, and suddenly remembering hey I've got lights.

That said there are 11, 2x4 LED flat panels 4000K controlled by 9 rocker switches.
Row 1, 3 lights
Row 2, 4 lights (lights 3 and 4 come on together)
Row 3, 4 lights (lights 3 and 4 come on together)
I like the idea of lighting only were I am working, and it's working out great.
I can remove shadows by turning on a single additional light.
I have lights over my garage doors that I can leave off if my door is open.
Now I can work on honey do projects late in the evening.

In the rear right corner I am going to add 2, 1 x 4 flat panels over an L shaped work bench area.

Here is my video. The camera has a hard time adjusting to the light changes.

 

[Matti]

My garage is 24x26 and 12 fixtures is good. They are 2x48" fluorescent and I ran 3 circuits. I ran these for 8 years and just converted them to the direct fit LEDs. They are on sale for $9/ea (Cdn$) if you buy the 10/case boxes. I see you can buy those ballast free fixtures but they don't seem to be cheap around here.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Holy switches Batman, that's a lot of control you've got there. Plus you're installing a dimmer. I think you need an automated system with motion sensors that turns the lights within a 10ft diameter of you ON full brightness and the rest dim progressively the further away they are and keep adjusting as you move around.

Kidding aside, I'm glad to see you finally finished. Congrats

 

[smalltown]

Thanks Platonic I wanted to be sure that I posted results/picture(s). I remember you posting once that people rarely do that. You were a super help to me.

 

[sierradmax]

I found that link to the Visual tool software, but I'm not sure I am using it correctly.
Here is a drawing of my garage layout. The only thing not on my "Visual Interior Tool" is lighting over each work bench area. I just imagined 1 double lamp fixture over each of the work benches. My Visual plan indicates 28 fixtures does that seem right? Seems quite high, but maybe it's just because it's led lamps?
Did I input my information wrong?

I was hoping for three rows of lights 1 over the right side of the vehicle, the second between vehicles, and the third to the left of the the second vehicle.
Lighting over one work bench may have a minor problem with the exhaust pipe for my hanging heater.

I noticed you commented on my lighting layout back in January 2017. I have a similar sized garage (30x30)
post # 777 & 778

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6233150#post6233150

 

[smalltown]

Yes I did Sierra, but how my design changed from what was the original plan. Got to reiterate with all my light switches I can turn just the area of the garage I am working in. It will be interesting to see what a dimmer will do. Not that I need a dimmer, but the lights are dimmer capable so I thought why not run the additional wire for them.