Canopy lights or not?

[raco232]

I have a 15’ x 50’ x 12’ tall, lean-to that I need lights in. It is an open sided lean-to, except for the shop side. Are canopy lights the thing to use or 2’ led linear lighting? There is no chance for rain or snow to ever get on the fixtures as they will be mounted right up at the roof. I was thinking of the led high bays, maybe the 110w, as I have them in my shop right now, but then I saw some canopy lights and they have a refractory lense on them. This is something I am not familiar with. I don’t want to invest a few hundred $$ only to find out I don’t like the canopy lights. Is anyone familiar with canopy lights? With whichever lights I go with, I am only going to put up 3. I don’t need perfect lighting, I just need enough to help out in the dark.

 

[Stuart in MN]

When you say canopy light, do you mean something like the ones in this link? https://www.e-conolight.com/outdoor-lighting/canopy.html#1 Those are typically designed for parking ramps and such, and are meant mainly to provide a low level of light that's good enough to see your way around and for safety.

High bay lights are typically meant for installation at 15 feet high or higher, when they're mounted lower than that you typicaly get uneven light distribution with 'hot spots' under each one.

 

[raco232]

Yea, the square led’s, about a square foot size. I don’t need even lighting, just enough to see where I am going. I use the lean-to to store firewood and equipment. I just don’t know which fixture to go with at this point. I am wanting at least 100w or little more.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would consider something as simple as LED twin flood lights. Adjust one bulb to shine down/close to the building and the other to shine out farther.

You admit you don't need much light and I would think three fixtures (end/center/end) would be plenty. You could get a similar looking fourth fixture that is motion activated to give that "occasional" when needed without flipping a switch.

 

[raco232]

From the limited responses, I’d say the 1’ sq canopy lights would be a no go. I’ll just stick with the 2’ led’s.