Florescent Lighting Question

[Rob07002]

OK, I've got a 2 car garage about 22x22 with 14' ceilings. I want to install more lighting and figure two rows of 4' strips over each bay should be fine for now. My problem is the only electrical source is the two ceiling fixtures that have one incandescent bulb in each, no recepticles anywhere.

My questions is:
Can I just buy a screw in type recepticle adapter (unscrew the bulb and screw in the recepticle) and plug in a power strip in each and then plug the 4 light strips in the power strip?

Is this acceptable or am I asking for problems, fire or otherwise.....

If so do any of you have a suggestion on a lighting solution that doesn't involve an electrician....

 

[6t7gto]

just hard wire them.
i assume you are mounting the lights in the same place as the existing fixtures.
remove the fixtures and wire in your new lights.
david

p.s. hope you're not referring to the inexpensive ($10.00) 4' shop lights with a plug already mounted to them and hang by chains.
they don't last very long.

 

[PatrickW]

I had a similar situation as you.

3 car garage, with a dim 60W incandescent fixture over each bay.

I got a ladder and removed the incandescent fixtures and hard wired four sets of 8' T-8's (actually they are 8 foot fixtures that take four 4' T-8 bulbs).

World of difference!

- Patrick

 

[DANNO]

Can I just buy a screw in type recepticle adapter (unscrew the bulb and screw in the recepticle) and plug in a power strip in each and then plug the 4 light strips in the power strip?

Hardwiring is best, but I plugged some cheapo 48" fixtures, one each, into two screw in receptacles as a short term measure. (however that was about 3 years ago ) I also have a shorter ceiling. It has worked okay so far.


Dan (but, someday........)

 

[oldgoat]

I would just mount receptacles in the place of light fixture. I have had plug in fixtures for 25 years in my single car garage without problems. The nice thing is that as you change things around or if you want to try different light patterns you can without much trouble. I still like the 4ft fixtures and just plug 2 into a outlet and spread them out a little for more coverage.

 

[bobbyd]

You will not have a problem (electrically) with what you are proposing. If we assume that the four foot fixtures contain 2 40w bulbs you have 80 watts total per fixture. That's about 0.67 amps (Watts = volts x amps or amps = watts divided by voltage). Assuming your circuits are rated at 15 amps (most are), and you don't exceed 80% of the circuit rating (recommended), you could theoretically install over 17 of these fixtures on one circuit.

Although the screw in receptacles will work, I would recommend removing the orginal porcelain sockets and installing a 15a receptacle (about $1 each at HD or Lowes). These are very simple to install. Just make sure you de-energize the circuit to do it.

Being in New Jersey, if your shop is not heated, these fixtures won't work worth a damn at first when you turn them on in the winter.

Hope that helps.

 

[brownbagg]

My garage is 24 x 30 and I have (9) two bulb four footer, and that is still not enough lights. too many dark shadow. I got (4) four bulb four footers that will be going on the wall to reflect low. and I already painted the ceiling and walls white.

those 9 lights are only 720 watts total and the 20 amp service is good for 1680 watts.@ 70%