Building Another Garage.

[HemiRamOn22s]

Looks good my only question is why would you put in overhead outlets rather then just hard wiring the lights?

 

[zappman]

why would you put in overhead outlets rather then just hard wiring the lights?

Well, funny you should ask. In the other shop, (about 30' away from this one) I have gone through hell trying to keep it adequately lit.

I started out with the older type (that was around 1985) dual 4' florescent tube fixtures. They however were always flickering at start up and took awhile to finally come on. (a few people had said because of the Florida humidity) Eventually it got to where I had to play with the tubes to get them to come on at all. (if they would)

So, finally getting fed up with those, I replaced them with halogen fixtures. They worked well at first, but then started burning out bulbs left and right. I'd replace one, and like the next day or so, another would go.

I finally replaced all of them with standard screw in incandescent fixtures and flood lamp bulbs. (not a very efficient or economical set up)

All of these fixtures had been hard wired in, and replacing the fixtures each time I tried something else, was a pain.

For this shop i didn't want to go through all of that. I had heard a lot about the improvements made to florescent lights over the years, so figured I'd test them out. I went with the 4-ft 2-light T8 shop lights.

As with my garage door openers, the T8 lighting fixtures come wired with plugs on the ends. So I figured I would utilize them by mounting receptical boxes instead of just junction boxes. The cost difference was minimal, and should I want to replace the fixtures, they just unplug making it much less of an ordeal.

So I guess the answer would be "Versatility".

B.T.W. the T-8 fixtures work excellently. Instant on, they stay cool, and they really light the shop well.

Thanks for your comment.

 

[jbmatth]

I would have to agree with you on the T-8 lights, I just converted 40 of the T-12 lights to T-8's and they make a world of difference in light output, cold start, and the lack of flickering. Sadly I picked the wrong color temp for the bulbs and they are too yellow for my tastes. I should have picked the 6,500K bulbs as they are a very white daylight bulb but "saving money" means I'll eventually have to go back and replace them with the brighter bulbs.

How have you been progressing on the shop build?
JB

 

[zappman]

Sadly I picked the wrong color temp for the bulbs and they are too yellow for my tastes. I should have picked the 6,500K bulbs as they are a very white daylight bulb

How have you been progressing on the shop build?
JB

Yes jbmatth I was pretty surprised at how many different lighting temps they have available in the T8 tubes. I did opt for the whiter cleaner bulbs. It does make a big difference, especially if your going to be working under them for extended periods of time.

Progress has slowed way down. (always other things coming up it seems) Even though it is still on temp power, it is functional enough that I have done a few custom cabinetry projects for people. As for the build though, I've been working more on the land around it lately. Clearing trees and remnants of a small plant nursery from behind the build so I can get my 4104 GM motor coach parked behind it. I am planning on remodeling the interior so I want it convenient from the shop, but still out of the way as well.

Thanks for the comment!