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Considering pole barn work area lighting options- 8' T12's?

dstaley

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2007
Messages
16
Location
Peoria, IL
Hey guys,
I'm considering some options for adding lighting to my pole barn. I use it as a workshop, and the area where my machine tools and the area where my welding stuff is (two different spots) are not lit brightly enough for my taste. The structure is 36 x 54, the roof trusses are 9' on center and the bottom of the trusses are about 11' 6" above the floor.

The welding area will get a couple metal halide lamps, so that's pretty much covered. However, the machining area has somewhat of a loft floor in the way of hanging more mercury vapor lamps at the suggested minimum of 10-12' from the bottom of the lens, so I'm considering alternatives.

I liked the 8' high output T12 fixtures I had at my old house (just a 20x20 double garage) but the environment was obviously a lot different. Looking over the tubes at Menards, it became pretty obvious that the lumens per foot on the high output T12's was far greater than any other type of light, and I like a lot of light. I could get associated "high output" "commercial" fixtures with or without the reflector for $57 or $70, respectively.

Is this a poor method of picking out a lighting option?
 
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pattenp

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
10,175
Location
Virginia - USA
Be aware that some T12's are being phased out due to DOE requirements. T12HO's in most part are exempt. You may want to consider T8HO.
 
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oldtractors

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
374
Location
Iowa
Replacement 4' bulbs are a lot easier to haul home than 8' bulbs.

I had 8' T12 HOs in my old shop. New shop has T8s. It was definately cheaper witht the T8s.
 

01ssreda4

Banned
Joined
Dec 15, 2011
Messages
567
I wouldn't buy any T12 being as how they are supposed to get hard to come by. I'm phasing my 4x4' bulb fixtures out in my garage as they go out.
 

knobby

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2010
Messages
663
Location
down by the river under a Jeep
one issue with 8' T12 fixtures is that they don't play well with lower temps if you get much below 50 degrees F they get temperamental the HO ones work much better at lower temps
 
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