Shop lighting decisions...so many to choose from

Daubs · Aug 13, 2018

I've been reading and reading, and looking at threads, and researching...the amount of information here is dizzying! Read some of Platonic's threads and posts. Soooooo much information to digest.

My shop is 40'x30' with 16'x16' garage-type door at end, facing south/southwest. I plan to do woodworking and restore my 1972 Chevy K-20, and projects, store my stuff.

It looks like this right now...

Are there any existing threads you can point me to? Suggestions on LED lights? Thanks! D.

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Platonic Solid · Aug 13, 2018

Missing ceiling height info.

Daubs · Aug 13, 2018

Just under 18'

Platonic Solid · Aug 13, 2018

Take a look at this thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386091 I'll take a closer look this evening.

Daubs · Aug 13, 2018

Platonic Solid said:
Take a look at this thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386091 I'll take a closer look this evening.

Thank you!

Daubs · Aug 13, 2018

Platonic: That thread helped a LOT!

I am thinking a similar version of the "High bay light recommendations please" thread -- GreenTek GT-H2-110W 16,400 Lumens on chains at 15.5' from floor.

Three rows across, four rows deep, total of 12 units. Note: possibly building a mezzanine on back 10' of the shop...might just put two GreenTek's above that area(?) And another below(?)

4000k or 5000k? Pros and cons of each?

Platonic Solid · Aug 13, 2018

4000k or 5000k? Totally a personal preference issue. Assuming CRI is the same for both, 4000K might be a tad better for woodworking as it has slightly lower blue wavelength.

Platonic Solid · Aug 13, 2018

Here you go - for space as is (no mazzanine) - Dialux Report (link)

WRT mezzanine - I would not use the 110W fixture at less than 12ft mounting height.

Daubs · Aug 13, 2018

Thanks Platonic! This is exactly what I need. Very much appreciated!

Platonic Solid · Aug 21, 2018

Daubs said:
I made mistake in this thread, my bad!

Assumed my door was 16' tall, and the ceiling was just under 18'.

Measured last night and ceiling is only 13.5' high.

Would you recommend a different fixture for my shop? Different layout? Or keep the same?

Thanks, D.

You can use the same fixture and layout with fixtures mounted at 13ft but you'll need a dimmer since the workplane jumps to 115fc. Alternately you can source a similar style fixture with 13,300 lumen output to hit 93fc.

cullen · Aug 21, 2018

I used the 100w version of these lights : https://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-150W-...2f:m:mG-UiWFasP_ugSXq6KcBrSQ&var=462249451162

Very bright, easy to install and inexpensive.

Platonic Solid · Aug 22, 2018

cullen said:
I used the 100w version of these lights : https://www.ebay.com/itm/100W-150W-...2f:m:mG-UiWFasP_ugSXq6KcBrSQ&var=462249451162

Very bright, easy to install and inexpensive.

Caveat emptor. No manufacturer or NRTL certifications.

Daubs · Mar 28, 2019

Well, the shop has gotten more crowded and with warmer temperatures, I'm back thinking about lighting.

Platonic recommended these, and the price looks pretty good @ $83.33 each:

https://greenlightdepot.com/collections/led-linear-high-bays/products/lhb-110w-with-lens-and-w-o-lens?variant=36041819012

Truss height is 13', and the garage door is 12'. Thinking about best way to position lights to get the most out of them and work around the garage door. Thoughts??

Note: Doing a mezzanine in the back 10' of the shop, so won't need high-bays there. Stairs will be on the left. And my workbench will be on left wall of of this picture.

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Toomanytools? · Mar 28, 2019

Well unless you add some framing or hang them, most likely spot in along bottom cord of trusses. If your door is up I have seen some people frame under door and hang lights, otherwise as close to the edge of open door.

75gmck25 · Mar 31, 2019

Just a related observation and question.

Since you aren't sure of the exact location you want, would it be code legal to install 4"x4" boxes and conduit across the ceiling, with wall switches for the power, and then use flexible whips to feed switched power to each light? This would allow you to move the lights around, with minimal wiring changes, if you found the location was off a little. The area is not subject to damage, so aren't flexibles whips okay?

Bruce

JamesW84 · Mar 31, 2019

75gmck25 said:
Just a related observation and question.

Since you aren't sure of the exact location you want, would it be code legal to install 4"x4" boxes and conduit across the ceiling, with wall switches for the power, and then use flexible whips to feed switched power to each light? This would allow you to move the lights around, with minimal wiring changes, if you found the location was off a little. The area is not subject to damage, so aren't flexibles whips okay?

Bruce

Probably, but why not just wire each fixture with X ft of wire and a plug on it. You can still move them around and it would be a lot cheaper.

Daubs · Apr 10, 2019

Got some more work done this weekend building wall on the west side of the shop, running outlets, planning my workbench, and running some wire for lighting.

What you see below are two 200w incandescent lights.

My plan is to put four 2ft LED Linear High Bay 110W in center of shop, and two more in front of shop on either side of the overhead door. $83 each is the best price I have found.

Four in middle on one switch, two next to the overhead door on another switch. Both switches using dimmers. The back 10' of the shop will have a loft/mezzanine, and different LED lighting on it's own switch.

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redheelerdog · Apr 11, 2019

Have you thought about advanced wireless controls (switches & dimmers)?

That's what my lighting guy said to me when I was doing the same thing you are. I did not realize at the time the totally awesome controls out there these days.

Here's an option you should consider:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7685163&postcount=5

Have fun!

Daubs · Apr 11, 2019

Good idea. Thanks!

whitemamba · Apr 29, 2019

I used the green light depot lights, Eve height is 16’ they hanging off trusses at 14’7”

Daubs · Apr 29, 2019

Looks GREAT!

Daubs · May 1, 2019

High bay LED's arrived today. $54 each, 14,300 lumens.

Platonic suggested a 3x3 set up, but I opted for 3x2 to save some $$.

I'm very happy the way this turned out! 4,000k color is so much better than the incandescent bulbs. Some shadows, but overall very bright. I like!

Before, and after...

BLUE72CAMARO · May 2, 2019

Which lights did you end up going with?

Daubs · May 2, 2019

I ordered 2ft. LED Linear High Bay - 110 Watt - Dimmable - 14,300 Lumens - LumeGen 4000K Bright White, from LightUp.com.

They were $54 each.

I checked their web site, and no longer showing as available.

Glad I ordered them when I did...

Platonic Solid · May 2, 2019

Daubs said:
Platonic suggested a 3x3 set up, but I opted for 3x2 to save some $$.

Looking at the report I posted earlier, it shows a 3x4 pattern as optimum for your 40x30 space. As long as you're comfortable with the 3x2 result then that's what matters. :thumbup:

Daubs · May 2, 2019

Platonic Solid said:
Looking at the report I posted earlier, it shows a 3x4 pattern as optimum for your 40x30 space. As long as you're comfortable with the 3x2 result then that's what matters.

Roger that.

My plan changed, and opted for a mezzanine in the last 10' of the 40x30 space. So eliminated the last row of lights. Then adjusted to fit the budget. Very bright compared to the incandescent 200w's...may need to dim the LEDs : )

Really appreciate all the advice and wisdom!

Daubs · May 2, 2019

Phone lux meter, dead center of shop, workbench height...

Feels almost too bright, but I'll take it...

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Platonic Solid · May 3, 2019

You can still attach a cheap dimmer (link) to the violet and gray wires if you want more control. Just jump from fixture to fixture and end at the dimmer. On/Off is still controlled by your existing setup as linked control is for dimming only.

Recommended level for automotive mechanical is 93fc @ 30". This doesn't mean that it's the perfect level for everyone or every task. Someone with excellent vision in their 20s can get by with less. 50+ may prefer more.

Daubs · May 3, 2019

Thanks Platonic!

BGTI1 · May 4, 2019

I like the before and after pictures. Good job on the lighting upgrade.

Shop lighting decisions...so many to choose from

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