Lighting Plan

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

OK almost to the electrical stage of my build.

Looking at these lights in my build.
https://www.prolighting.com/commercial-lighting/ledready/ledreadystrips/t443ssubcxx00p0-18w4k.html

27' x 27' x 10'

Garage will be open studs and ceiling until funds allow insulation and drywall.

Thinking three rows of 3, down center of doors, between vehicles, and down outside edge of doors. Then two across front of garage over work bench and storage area, switched separately from main garage lighting.

Likely do just junction boxes with simple incandescent fixture for now to close out the permit. Then upgrade to these when funds allow.

Anyone use these?

I did go through the lighting stickies - lots of great ideas and information. Where I pulled the layout idea / plan from - sorta.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I used them, 3 rows of 4 fixtures in 30x30x14 space. Pretty bright, I calculated it near 80fc with dialux.

 

[u2slow]

3-lamp is an odd duck IMO. Most T8 ballasts that can drive 3 lamps, can do 4 also.

You can minimize your rough-in effort with just a few JB's in the ceiling, and run surface conduit between fixtures after.

I'm re-using old 2-lamp fixtures 8-10' up on the walls and edges of shelves (because I'm not ready to tackle my unfinished 19' ceiling yet). Then I got some single strip LEDs, and I'm realizing singles in a row are giving me better light than spaced out doubles. Something to consider...

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

3-lamp is an odd duck IMO. Most T8 ballasts that can drive 3 lamps, can do 4 also.

You can minimize your rough-in effort with just a few JB's in the ceiling, and run surface conduit between fixtures after.

I'm re-using old 2-lamp fixtures 8-10' up on the walls and edges of shelves (because I'm not ready to tackle my unfinished 19' ceiling yet). Then I got some single strip LEDs, and I'm realizing singles in a row are giving me better light than spaced out doubles. Something to consider...

Those fixtures don't have a ballast one of the reason I am leaning towards them.

 

[Jakemedic]

I purchased prime lights from https://www.primelights.com/products/the-bolt-3-lamp-led-shop-light-8-550-lumens-pl-blt66wcl. Using 6 in 2 rows of three. A bit more, but brighter too. I don’t get anything from them for the recommendation. Mine are the frosted lights, not the clear. They will figure out your lighting layout at no cost.

 

[u2slow]

Those fixtures don't have a ballast one of the reason I am leaning towards them.

I completely missed "LED" in the description...

I'd lean toward more double fixtures spaced out instead of fewer triples. The 4 tube fixtures I have tried in my shop - its a lot of light in one spot. Doubles and singles in more places do a better job.

 

[Bert_]

10' ceiling... 3 lamp strip is a fine choice. I'd like to run the numbers. 9 fixtures is not a lot.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

10' ceiling... 3 lamp strip is a fine choice. I'd like to run the numbers. 9 fixtures is not a lot.

Understood, but it would be 11 total, 9 in the rows parallel with the vehicles and 2 across the front, perpendicular to the vehicles, of the garage between the 3 rows. If I place the outlets / power in the right spots between the lights I can always add a couple down the road if I think some are needed.

Mind you I grew up with a garage and 4 - 100W incandescent bulbs.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

10' ceiling... 3 lamp strip is a fine choice. I'd like to run the numbers. 9 fixtures is not a lot.

With the 11 fixtures it would be 81,180 Lumens / 110 lumens per square foot.

Should work nicely for a garage / shop

 

[Bert_]

With the 11 fixtures it would be 81,180 Lumens / 110 lumens per square foot.

Lumens per square foot is not a useful figure. Stop using it.

You need footcandles to measure light level.

 

[cybrdyke]

Stop using it.

Same goes for total lumens.

Without doing the calcs, 9 x 3-lamp fixtures should produce a more than adequate light level for a garage. Plus the additional task lighting where needed, you're gonna be just fine.
Good luck,
CD