Enough Light?

[sportglfr07]

Hi,

I'm in the process of finishing my garage build. It's a 36x48x12 pole barn. The ceiling is white metal and I'll likely finish the walls with OSB. I think my layout will 3 rows of 4 fixtures running perpendicular to the garage doors. The fixtures I'm thinking about using require 4 T8 4' florescent bulbs (so an 8' fixture).

http://www.lowes.com/pd_163723-337-..._dollar|1&page=1&facetInfo=&state=R#prod-tabs

Do you think this is enough light for this size of building?

Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Jere]

I would add wiring for more lights in the future if you have the option at least. Its better to be able to expand lighting as needed than to find out you need more and are stuck. Or install more lights and just keep some of them off. The more stuff you have the more dark places you will also get.

 

[Platonic Solid]

The SNF series lamp spacing is only 1.25" center to center. The SSF series is more efficient with 2.62" spacing. Either way 3 rows of 4 is not enough = only about 55fc. 4 rows of 4, with 9 x 12 spacing = about 74fc.

 

[sportglfr07]

Can you explain the difference between SNF and SSF? What do they stand for?

Sorry, definitely a newbie when it comes to all things electrical.

 

[sportglfr07]

Actually I was able to google it and find the difference... What I can't find is a 4 bulb T8 SSF fixture (4' bulbs). Does anyone know if any decent fixtures?

Thanks!

 

[Platonic Solid]

SNF and SSF are 2 different Cooper (Metalux) Series strip fixturesThe "N" in SNF stands for "Narrow". The "S" in SSF stands for "Standard".

 

[Platonic Solid]

If I was buying a prefabricated 8ft fixture I would go to my local electrical wholesaler and purchase Cooper 8TSSF-232-UNV-HR81H specified from the SSF spec sheet. With the 84,000 hr SYLVANIA 22167 FO28/841XP/XL/SS/ECO3 here for $5.60 ea.
Or
You could save yourself some money and get a 7 year warranty on the ballasts and lamps by building it yourself:

This Cooper Lighting 4 Ft. 2-Lamp Standard Striplight T12 = $16.85 ea.

cut ballast leads - remove ballast from fixture - replace with

SYLVANIA QHE4X32T8/UNV PSH-HT, Item No. 49455 for $29.85 (One 4 lamp ballast to operate 2 above strip lights)

Add Lamps already mentioned above and you qualify for the 7 year Quick 7XL+ Warranty here: Sylvania Warranty if you fill out their warranty registration within 30 days after installation.

If you go this route, you'll want a few of these Ideal 30-1033 Push-In Connectors - package of 300 here: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-In...Standard-Package-is-3-Bags-30-1033P/203734781 and a box of 3/4-in connectors to tie the fixtures together: http://www.lowes.com/pd_183107-15527-C-750_0__?productId=3362038&Ntt=

 

[sportglfr07]

Thanks Platonic! If I decided to go prebuilt 4' T8 fixtures and just place more of them. What would you recommend?

 

[Platonic Solid]

So far I've glossed over a critical point = ambient temperature.
Where are you located?
(If it's a cold winter climate): Is the garage heated?

 

[sportglfr07]

Kansas City, MO - the garage will have temporary heat. Our average low in the winter months is around 20 but single digit temps aren't unusual.

 

[TonkaJoe]

I used Lithonia 4' dual bulb T8 fixtures in my shop, with Philips 32W (5000K) natural light tubes. The fixtures came with cold weather ballasts which give off a decent amount of light at first start in the negative temperatures, they also warm up to full brightness extremely quick. Lights are spaced 4' apart and centered in the shop, I have absolutely next to no shadow while working.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Kansas City, MO - the garage will have temporary heat. Our average low in the winter months is around 20 but single digit temps aren't unusual.

SSF-232-UNV-ER81/PLUS $42.00
FO32/841/XP/ECO3 Lamps P/N:21767 @ $3.37ea.
Results in 40,000+ hr. lamp life @ 3400lm per lamp.

 

[sportglfr07]

I went to Home Depot and looked at lights again... I landed on 10 of the following fixtures:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...T5HO-MVOLT-1-4-GEB10PS/202516724?N=5yc1vZc7bu

Seemed like to most light for the money. I got them all installed and so far, I'm super pleased with them. Hopefully they'll last!