Critique my lighting plan

[unclemat]

So thanks to the amazing sticky thread I learned about the DIALlux software... and went to town designing lighting for new to me two car garage

The garage is about 23x23x9 (interior dimensions). Two doors, somewhat asymmetrically located. Left bay will be the main shop bay (more room on both sides), right bay will primarily the parking bay, but with a workbench in the back (left bay will be empty in front so there is room to pull engines, etc).

The fixtures will be dual T8 4ft Lithonias from HD.

Floor is light grey PVC (Tuffseal), wall and ceiling are veener plastered white. I may end up painting the walls yellow or something bright but not white. There is a soffit in the left bay hence the difference in the light placement.

I probably went overboard, but I like light Anyway let me know what you think...

 

[American Locomotive]

I would try arranging the lights in a more even pattern, definitely try to get the rearward lights a little more directly over the bench.

 

[cybrdyke]

I'm not a fan of the "circle the car" thing. That's something that was made up by a member here, not an actual lighting theory, and as your point-by-point shows, it doesn't really accomplish anything. Your foot candles are no higher around the car than they are over the car. With a 9' ceiling, I'm guessing that you wont have lift, so I cant see any reason to circle the car.
The perimeter lights can be 2' from the wall so they wont look so crowded against the wall. Closer than that and you'll have hot spots on the wall.
In general, you are waaaay overlit. I know you "like light" and that the common thinking here is that more is better. Trust me, it isn't. Too much light causes eye fatigue, headaches and generally gives the space a harsh feel. There's a reason that the IES recommends 100 foot candles for detail work and not 140.
Just my opinions.
Good luck,
CD

 

[unclemat]

This is very useful feedback, thank you.

Yes, no lift sadly with 9' ceilings.

I was thinking about more evenly distributed pattern like grid, but I am somewhat constrained by door tracks and the opener chains.

As for the amount of light... yes, I am afraid it may be too much. I could put them on two switched circuit, but then the "even" distribution largely goes of of the window.

I am wondering about accuracy of these numbers, I think I used too high reflection factor for the floor light grey pvc floor - 70% (could not find specs ). That probably inflates the numbers. Used 78% (from the application) for plastered ceiling and walls, and the number will drop if I paint the walls.

 

[cybrdyke]

This is very useful feedback, thank you.

Yes, no lift sadly with 9' ceilings.

I was thinking about more evenly distributed pattern like grid, but I am somewhat constrained by door tracks and the opener chains.

As for the amount of light... yes, I am afraid it may be too much. I could put them on two switched circuit, but then the "even" distribution largely goes of of the window.

I am wondering about accuracy of these numbers, I think I used too high reflection factor for the floor light grey pvc floor - 70% (could not find specs ). That propbably inflates numbers. Used 78% (from the application) for plastered ceiling and walls, and the number will drop if I paint the walls.

80% for white ceilings, 50% for white walls, 20% for light colored floor is typical. 88% for ballast factor if it allows you to change that.
CD

 

[ard]

Aesthetically the uneven placement of the fixtures would drive me nuts. Of course I haven't run any numbers, but I don't think it buys you anything.

 

[unclemat]

80% for white ceilings, 50% for white walls, 20% for light colored floor is typical. 88% for ballast factor if it allows you to change that.
CD

Using light loss factor of 0.67 aka "Clean room. 3 year maintenance cycle". I suppose that accounts for ballast and dust etc in the environment.

 

[unclemat]

Here is my take 2... with 78/50/20 values for ceiling/walls/floor.

Still perhaps bright. But I am going to err on the side of more than less (just knowing that from experience... otherwise I will be running around with a headlamp there). The garage has four incandescent bulbs that I am going to leave alone for "mood lighting" situations.

My rationale for putting more lights in the left bay in the front is that these will be main work areas, while the right bay is a parking bay.

 

[AntonLargiader]

... as your point-by-point shows, it doesn't really accomplish anything. Your foot candles are no higher around the car than they are over the car. ..

I don't think these lighting simulators can show what it's like to work in a wheelwell or under the hood. The flat-surface illumination doesn't tell the whole story.

Do the simulators even account for the shown car at all? You'd think there would be a big shadow on the floor but there isn't.

 

[ddawg16]

I wouldn't use those T8's.

LED's have come down enough in price....Costco sells a 4' LED version.

They will last a LOT longer, use less....and you will have more color options.

Also, you might want to consider recessed cans....more flexibility in light color and wattage.....and they are flush with the ceiling.

The bottom of my garage has 18 cans in 3 zones....and it's pretty much the same size as yours

 

[unclemat]

Definitely I would not do cans. I kinda dislike cans. They are okay for some interior rooms, but they are way overused in general in my opinion.

I am not a fan of LEDs' reliability, personally, though no experience with LED strips. I'll stick to these T8. And given limited runtime of these bulb (I won't be working in the garage constantly), any energy savings can be ignored. Doubt I'd ever recoup added cost.

 

[unclemat]

I don't think these lighting simulators can show what it's like to work in a wheelwell or under the hood. The flat-surface illumination doesn't tell the whole story.

Do the simulators even account for the shown car at all? You'd think there would be a big shadow on the floor but there isn't.

Actually they do... my first design shows isolines with two cars parked. I am going to try with the second design.

Oh, the isolines show the workplane, which I set to 3 ft off the floor.

 

[unclemat]

Here it is with cars.