Advice Needed in Recessing Lights

[mbrew]

I’d appreciate input from any and all that have some experience in shop lighting. I’m planning on installing recessed fixtures in a non typical manner. I have used this website http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/default.aspx?id=14782, and it came up with a lighting plan that was almost identical to what I came up with. The input parameters were 24X40, 9’ ceiling and a 2.5’ work plane. I might also add a 4th light section to each row.

This is where I intend to install the lights. The spacing is not identical in each of the bays, but I can get pretty close to the dimensions in the drawing. I’m planing on making my own dropped ceiling in a manner similar to what I mocked up in the second picture. My plan is to fur the lights down so they are low in the bay. The light lenses would be installed like the dtywall is in the picture. I’m looking at these fixtures with 5K LED bulbs: They are cheap and although they don’t have great revues, the problems seem to be that they are not easily assembled. I can deal with that. I like that they come with reflectors. I’m considering this for a lens material.

All opinions are appreciated and will be considered. Thanks, Mike

 

[cybrdyke]

Mike, I dont understand what you're saying about mounting these, but here's a few thoughts..
From 9' up, with a 2.5' target, leaves you with 6.5' of space for the light pattern to spread out. That's not much. The reflectors further prevent the light spread by focusing the light into a tighter beam. You wouldn't normally use reflectors in this instance.
The fixtures you linked are 8' tandems. Do you intend to add a 3rd 4' section to them? If so, think about just using all 4' sections and then spacing them out from end to end to help with uniformity.
Sorry, I dont get what you're doing with the lenses at all. Maybe you can elaborate?
Good luck,
CD

 

[mbrew]

Thanks for taking the time to look over this. The lights would be installed between the joists and the lens would be at the bottom of the joist. In essence making a trouffer type light. The cavities are 8" deep and approximately 18" wide. I can't use troffers because of that spacing. The reflectors would in essence be the top of the troffer and would keep me from having to paint the cavity a reflective color. I would likely use two of the 8' fixtures and would put a bit of space between them giving me 16' of lights in each row. I would prefer to not have anything below the ceiling, mostly for aesthetics, but I guess the light spread is what concerns me about this idea and the reason I'm seeking guidance before continuing. Thanks again.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Consider using 1x4 LED flat panels instead. $42 (link).

 

[mbrew]

Consider using 1x4 LED flat panels instead. $42 (link).

I knew taking the time to post would be worthwhile. I had considered lager panels, but dismissed them based on cost and mounting methods. I had not seen 1x4 panels and the ones that you posted have better rating for light output at a very similar cost to what I would have had with my cobbled together solution. Those are also dimable and the bulbs I would have likely used are not. I will likely order one before the end of the week for evaluation. I'm grateful for your input.

One more question if I may; Do you think I will lose much lighting using the layout I posted above with the flat panels vs a more typical surface mount solution? I'm getting older and the longer I do technical work, the more I like light. Lots of it, Thanks again, Mike

 

[Platonic Solid]

For the most even shadow free results you'll want to evenly space the fixtures in a grid pattern, though I would tweak it to suit the application (which is not stated) and try to go between garage doors (assuming there are garage doors). If you have a workbench against any wall and the fixtures are all behind you, you will have shadow issues with your current plan. Not really enough info here to comment.

 

[mbrew]

Thanks. I'll get a couple of the fixtures and experiment a bit. There are two sides to the shop. One side is used as a garage and the other as wood shop. Each is 24X40. I will add task lighting to the workbenches and areas where I need to do more intense tasks. The fixture recommendation makes me much more confident that I can bring this off though. They will make a much better project than what I was planning on using.