Another light my shop question

[Aaron Franck]

I know this has been beat to death, but... The more I read the further I get from an answer. What I do know: 50' x 70' x 16.5' shop, no ceiling, white tin walls, bare concrete floor, will be used for metal fabrication(cars, motorcycles, art, furniture, etc.). Would like: high CRI and plenty of light at the best price. What I'm asking: what should I use for lighting, how many, and what layout??????

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[Charles (in GA)]

More questions about the shop.

No ceiling, correct?

Do you plan to install a ceiling in the future? Does it have trusses that will make for a flat ceiling?

Is it heated? Do you ever plan to heat it?

Good CRI will dictate fluorescent lights, giving you a choice of bulbs. Whatever type of fixture you chose, use one with 4 ft bulbs. You don't want to be handling 8 ft bulbs and they are not the best bang for the buck.

T8 or T5HO.

As far as bulbs, T8 will be cheaper, but good bulbs are not the real cheap ones either. T5 (NOT HO) to me is not an option. The improvement in lighting vs wattage is just not there. I would jump right up to T5HO strips, but some will say that is a waste of money, they never will be cheap enough to justify them, they lose too much light output in cold weather, blah, blah.

Right now, I think good T8's are the best bang for the buck, but in a very short time, it will be the T5HO, and that is the way I would go.

Layout will depend on how you set up the building for work, storage, etc.

Charles

 

[Norcal]

I won't get into layout or quantity, but 16.5' height there are 3 light sources IMHO, 1) 400W metal halide high bay fixtures, 2) T8 fluorescent highbay, 3) T5 FL highbays, each has their strong points, MH can be found used at a low price due to them being pulled in lighting retrofits, (avoid 277V only fixtures) T8 lamps & ballasts are reasonably priced so also can help a budget in low initial cost & future operating expenses, T5 high bays are good but lamp cost & ballasts are higher priced, the choice is going to depend on a budget avail. & how much they will be used.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I looked online and it appears MVEC is the local electric utility in your area, and they have a rebate program if you install energy efficient light fixtures in a commercial building. So, it may be worth checking with them. Some utilities will provide some lighting design assistance as well.

 

[mebedave]

Read this: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38658 CLF’s are great… love them!! I suggest one ever 10’ apart maybe even 8’ wire lights 5 per switch to prevent a buzz (read up) also gives you options less or more light as needed. I don’t think the reflector’s are needed you can always add later if you think you need them.

 

[Aaron Franck]

Ok, what I've found out in the last few days. T8's are good up to 20'-25' then you should be considering T5's. At a local electrical supplier 4 bulb reflector fixtures are $186 and 6 bulb reflector fixtures are $156. There are things I just don't understand. But, at Home Depot, they have 6 bulb refector fixtures for $84. I found the bulbs at Menards. T8, CRI 88, 8000K, 2750 lumens, 35W, $13.59 per pair. With rough formula from electrician I figure 15 fixtures, but starting with fewer and adding until I'm happy.



Aaron

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I found the bulbs at Menards. T8, CRI 88, 8000K, 2750 lumens, 35W, $13.59 per pair. With rough formula from electrician I figure 15 fixtures, but starting with fewer and adding until I'm happy.
Aaron

Never heard of 8000K bulbs. 6500K is bluish light, 5000K is daylight, 4000K is cool white, and 3000 or 3500K is warm white.

I think 5000K would be the best choice for true color and look.

Charles

 

[Aaron Franck]

Charles here is the info on these lights. Maybe daylight would be better, I'll have to look into that. Thanks.

Aaron

Click on image for a larger view. 32 Watt 48" T8 8000K XP ECO 30 Pack

Online Price
Online price may differ from your local Menards®.

$385.79 per carton

Product Specificationsimensions: T8
Model Number: 22594



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Product Description:32 Watt 48" T8 8000K XP ECO 30 Pack

Linear Fluorescent
T8
Linear
Sky White
8000K
30 Pack


Vendor: Sylvania

 

[mebedave]

Maybe something like this. https://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mnlist.cgi?120523/T9845

 

[Randy in Maine]

I ended up using T5 HO lighting in my 28' x 28' garage. The best price I could find for fixtures was at HD for $70 each (x 5) and $10 each for "daylight" bulbs (x 20).

Lots of good light. $550 well spent.

 

[Steevo]

That is the first I have ever heard of an 8000k bulb.
I always thought 6500k was as white as they get.

Even 1000bulbs doesn't sell 8000k bulbs. They do have some of the best prices on everything else, though:

http://www.1000bulbs.com/

 

[CRE Neal]

I have 55watt 5000K T5HO... I pay $4.99 per bulb..paid $78.00 per each two bulb strip.... the lighting is phenomenal..I only have a 10' ceiling, but i have no issues with it being too bright...its actually very nice to work under...... After owning these lights it would pretty difficult for someone to convince me to step back to T8 lights......

 

[Botje]

I have installed a few (8) Philips metal halide 400w highbay lights in a shed, about 20ft of the ground. The ones I have are with Lexalight Reflexor which disperses the light very well. One light per 30x25 feet of surface. 4300K light color. Every time people are in there they are amazed about the lighting. Sadly no pics online but i can upload some.
The downside of the metal halide lighting is that you have to let the bulbs cool down about 5-10 minutes before they can re-strike/start again.

 

[jbs]

That is the first I have ever heard of an 8000k bulb.
I always thought 6500k was as white as they get.

Even 1000bulbs doesn't sell 8000k bulbs. They do have some of the best prices on everything else, though:

http://www.1000bulbs.com/

x2. I prefer the 5000 K color temp (or even 4100 for some applications), but 1000bulbs.com is great. I got these:
https://1000bulbs.com/product/56690/F-32L359.html
and these:
https://1000bulbs.com/product/56690/F-32L359.html

I am very happy with both.