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10' Ceiling Direct Wire Fixtures?

Bigshow0003

Active member
Joined
Apr 10, 2020
Messages
36
Location
Vilas County, WI
The more threads I read here, the more I feel like I don't have a lot of options.

I have a 40x30x10. Insulated and heated in far northern WI.
Walls are OSB painted semi-gloss white. Ceiling is Dura-panel, a popular ribbed steel liner panel sold at Menards.

I have 8 light boxes currently occupied by regular screw in bulbs. I would like to upgrade to a better shop light fixture.

Upon researching here, I've found my ceiling is too low for LED High-Bays. Reading threads further I've found that most LED strips lights (4' for example) are mostly corded/can be linked, but are not direct wire.

I had intended on taking down my normal lightbulbs and direct wire up a strip or fixture to cover the hole in the ceiling and also improve my lighting. All 8 lights operate on one switch at the door.

Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,106
Location
SE MI
Remove the existing fixture and install one of theses.

Capture.JPG

Some stores only sell the plate. Use a standard duplex outlet.
 

klassenl

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Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
713
Location
Southern Alberta
I have "regular" T8 fluorescent lights in my shop with 10 ft ceilings. They are cheap and widely available. I have 6 - 4 lamp fixtures in 18x26. Definitely bright enough.
 

Innovate1

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Jul 28, 2014
Messages
4,281
Location
Illinois near St. Louis, Missouri
I did direct wire 4' fixtures with LED tubes from prolighting.com.
T442SSUBCXX00P0-18W4K
mounted them tight to the ceiling with the wires coming in from above with no box but you have various options on bringing in the power. Easy to mount over existing boxes. And you get a discount for being on garage journal.
 

nadogail

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Jan 23, 2009
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Location
Coronado, CA
In my father's garage i screwed adapters into the light sockets and plugged in those cheap flourescent shop lights. He really appreciated it.
 
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Bert_

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Dec 24, 2016
Messages
9,701
Location
NW Iowa
There has been a couple guys recently that have done 3 lamp strips with led t8's. I think its a great option for 10' ceiling. Keeps the number of fixtures reasonable. The are normally screwed to the ceiling and either wired with romex from the attic or with conduit on the surface.
 

7635tools

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Joined
Feb 19, 2015
Messages
87
Location
Southeast Wisconsin
There has been a couple guys recently that have done 3 lamp strips with led t8's. I think its a great option for 10' ceiling. Keeps the number of fixtures reasonable. The are normally screwed to the ceiling and either wired with romex from the attic or with conduit on the surface.



I had (16) 6 lamp t8 fixtures converted with led tubes and they were ok but they don’t even come close to the linear high bays I put up. Guess it comes down to how much light you need/prefer. I’d rather have the option to light it up and wear sunglasses than have to squint to see what I’m doing. I have dimmers on the high bays to adjust the light level accordingly.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
 

Bert_

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Dec 24, 2016
Messages
9,701
Location
NW Iowa
I had (16) 6 lamp t8 fixtures converted with led tubes and they were ok but they don’t even come close to the linear high bays I put up. Guess it comes down to how much light you need/prefer. I’d rather have the option to light it up and wear sunglasses than have to squint to see what I’m doing. I have dimmers on the high bays to adjust the light level accordingly.

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Problem is at 10 ft you can't get a high bay with low enough output. At 14 feet or more high bay is great.

Also on a low ceiling your fixtures need to be fairly close together to keep from having shadows. a higher output fixture doesn't mean you can put them further apart.
 

hector

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Joined
Oct 24, 2020
Messages
47
Location
USA
After doing a bunch of research I settled on these for my garage.

ls_cree_1.jpg


Data Sheet: https://www.creelink.com/exLink.asp?13630320OA13R57I34605868

Cree LS8 8' LED Surface Ambient Strip
3500k
90+ CRI
10,000 lumens each.

There are less expensive alternatives with lower CRI. Oddly I found most products in this category to be direct wire.
 
Last edited:
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Bigshow0003

Active member
Joined
Apr 10, 2020
Messages
36
Location
Vilas County, WI
Well this is great news. Thanks for all the replies and suggested options. I have some homework to do but it helps having multiple to choose from. Thanks!
 

rodster_67

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Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Messages
360
Location
Near Allentown PA
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