Advice on linking 4' LED shop lights in series

[zorero]

GJ,

New homeowner here, and I could use some help with my garage lighting set up. I have looked through some forums, but haven't been able to figure this out.

I currently have the typical single light bulb on the ceiling in the garage, and want to upgrade to shop lights for woodworking. I was thinking of setting up the lights as shown in the attached image:

Does that seem feasible or is there a more direct way of doing this? I'm trying to avoid messing with the finished ceiling. I was planning on running the wires through EMT conduit.

Do most LED light fixtures allow you to link the lights as shown? The FEIT LED fixtures (Costco) mention a max of 3 linkable units.

Thanks!

 

[nadogail]

Do you mean parallel?

 

[zorero]

Do you mean parallel?

I thought this would count as series since the current has only one path to take. Nomenclature aside, I'm still wondering whether this wiring would be a good option to go with.

 

[Flail]

Do series and parallel. Put a metal extender box over the current outlet box. Run conduit for a few more surface mounted boxes in a row spaced every few feet (parallel connection). Then go perpendicular with your Costco lamps plugged daisy chained to each other.

 

[dogdog]

I thought this would count as series since the current has only one path to take. Nomenclature aside, I'm still wondering whether this wiring would be a good option to go with.

Current does have multiple path in that costco light daisy chain setup...... as in each lights have a direct path to neutral...in that setup. It just look like it is in series because the way it looks, not actually the way the current flows....

Basic electrical stuff... you can test with your multimeter

voltage in a parallel circuit is constant, amp is split ( sum of all branches, each branch doesn't has to be equal..) ....

as oppose to voltage in a series circuit is sum of all branches (a voltage drop) and amp is constant...

In other words, there are no series setup in these type of Light hook ups... all are parallel...


Now back to that original question...

I think the box on that costco feit light says you can daisy chain up to 4 lights... that is probably because the internal passthrough wiring of that light is smaller 16 gauge... or 14....at best...hmm maybe 18AWGs

 

[matt_i]

Not a bad idea to get started putting the lights up and testing out your new brightness.

I'm not sure if that's a single bay or a double bay area but if double I think you are going to need more fixtures and have to expand via conduits.

 

[Chucktin]

In the shop I am just finishing I had the contractor instal one duplex outlet in the ceiling. From that I'm running six 4' LED lights, 3 per each outlet, daisey-chained. Only downside I've seen is that the fixtures lack a diffuser cover for the LEDs so they glare. But then I'm not looking up at them. I have 2 centered over the saw area and the 4 spaced for the rest of the shop. Almost too much light especially now that the ceiling and walls are being painted semi gloss off-white.

 

[bugnut]

I cannot see your image.
In the 2 car garage I removed the light fixture and replaced it with a outlet used that and swag hook in the finished drywall ceiling to hang lights the costco/feit lights being able to plug into each other would make this install even easier. Lights are now operating on the switch previously used.

 

[zorero]

I cannot see your image.
In the 2 car garage I removed the light fixture and replaced it with a outlet used that and swag hook in the finished drywall ceiling to hang lights the costco/feit lights being able to plug into each other would make this install even easier. Lights are now operating on the switch previously used.

Had the image on imgur, but I've also attached it in the post. Hopefully it shows up for you now.

 

[dogdog]

The costco state that the linkable feature is only apply if you used that plug on the light fixture it self to power other 3 lights... in a dasiy chain fashion... but if you would have used your own 12/2 wiring then it is to the max of your breaker can support of multiple of 42watts of lights....

For my parent's 2 car garage... I installed 6x of the lights...

basically removing the original ceiling light fixture...
get a matching 5" or 6" metal blank cover... that match the screws (there are two version 3.5" and 4" ones)....

drill a 7/8" hole or use a knock out for 1/2 conduits...

buy a strain relief for 1/2 KO...

snip the plugs off

hardwired those lights to the original electrical box for the lights...

the rest is pretty much history...

That comes out very clean looking. better than using a octgan to 2 gang plug connector.