Large, low ceiling basement garage light options

[jcm44]

Gents, moving into a new garage with 7.5’ ceilings and looking for some very low profile lights. I liked the price on these:

https://www.lightup.com/caseof2-2ft...MIktnTztKw6QIVi-DICh3NdgtbEAQYDSABEgLmsPD_BwE

But I’m not sure how good of quality they are compared to the often recommended Home Depot version:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Metalux...Vi-DICh3NdgtbEAQYCyABEgLyA_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Another option I thought about is getting 1x4 panels and installing more of them. I wondered if that would give me more even light?

Right now the ceiling is finished with a few single bulbs and pull strings. There’s a switch but it only controls half the lights. I was in Costco the other day and noticed they had LED linkable fixtures that were only 2” tall. That would simplify wiring, but then there’s a bundle of wire on the ceiling too.

https://www.costco.com/feit-electric-4'-linkable-led-shop-light,-2-pack.product.100462723.html

Just looking for suggestions and thoughts. My last shop had 10’ ceilings and installed the recommended lights in the long running thread above and it worked out great, but here I feel like every inch is at a premium. This will be a wood shop and I’d rather not be smacking lights on accident when I turn boards around.

 

[mike93lx]

You want something that casts light sideways as well as down. Something like a wrap works well.

I have 7.5' ceilings as well and use traditional fluorescent fixtures for my garage

 

[cybrdyke]

Both of the flat panels you linked are sourced from China, so one isn't better than the other. Flat panels are a bit on the glarey side and your low ceiling doesn't help that any. Plus, the two are full power, which might be a bit much for the ceiling height. A dimmer is a good option, but they also make those panels in 30w and 40w. Maybe see if they have any of those.
The linkable fixtures are not intended to be used to light up entire rooms. They're for task lighting over workbenches and such. They'd be horrible.
There are gobs of choices in slim surface lighting, from panels to linear strips. Recessed lighting is easy, too. You can even recess the flat panels. Google slim surface lighting images.
CD

 

[jcm44]

Thanks guys. I knew I’d need something that had a wide angle but you can’t always find that info in the specs. CD, I thought the same thing on those panels in regards to output. They have a 1x4 in 30w and wondered if something less intense like that would be better. There’s also soffit all through the area, so I’ll probably have “sections” of lighting. I really just debate how much I want to tear up the ceiling.

 

[jcm44]

Just a few photos for perspective.

 

[Platonic Solid]

The flat panel edge lit fixtures you linked to might not be as flat as you think. They will not sit flush on your ceiling due to the driver on the back:

You could mount them with a surface mounting box, but that kind of defeats the max headroom goal. You're probably thinking more along the lines of a flat panel with integrated driver (link to HD).

Best results achieved by painting everything white and installing integrated strip lights. Something like these:

https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/DM-ST4FT40W-50K-p/dm-st4ft40w-50k.htm
or these
https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/ZY-ST4FT40-p/zy-st4ft40.htm

 

[jcm44]

The flat panel edge lit fixtures you linked to might not be as flat as you think. They will not sit flush on your ceiling due to the driver on the back:

You could mount them with a surface mounting box, but that kind of defeats the max headroom goal. You're probably thinking more along the lines of a flat panel with integrated driver (link to HD).

Best results achieved by painting everything white and installing integrated strip lights. Something like these:

https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/DM-ST4FT40W-50K-p/dm-st4ft40w-50k.htm
or these
https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/ZY-ST4FT40-p/zy-st4ft40.htm

Ah yes, those are the details I knew I’d mess up. I don’t love the strip lights being 3.5” tall, but I might just have to live with it. My plan is to finish the walls so I can hang cabinets without drilling into concrete all the time and then paint it all white and give the ceiling a fresh coat too. Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Platonic Solid]

With all those bulkheads I'm not sure ultra low profile fixtures makes much difference.

 

[jcm44]

With all those bulkheads I'm not sure ultra low profile fixtures makes much difference.

I’ve been thinking the same and almost considered ripping it all down just to start over. However, if I left the ceiling as is I’d be running wire through conduit so the strip lights are really the only option.

 

[mike93lx]

Probably not much to gain by ripping it all apart. I would bet there are beams and ducts behind all of those

 

[jcm44]

Probably not much to gain by ripping it all apart. I would bet there are beams and ducts behind all of those

Correct but I could run wire easily and maybe get rid of some of this AL romex in this house.

 

[mike93lx]

Correct but I could run wire easily and maybe get rid of some of this AL romex in this house.

You have AL romex? Get that garbage out

 

[jcm44]

You have AL romex? Get that garbage out

As much as I’d like to, I think was used all over the house. The breaker panel has a few circuits with AL wire coming in and I’ve found it in various places all over the house.