Flourescent lighting layout

[Robert 2006]

Flourescent strip lighting layout

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I'm about to set up the lighting in my garage. The garage is 20 x 20.

I have 6 4 tube Flourescent lights with diffuser grids. I will be using the shop for woodworking and car work. The ceiling is 8ft high drywall and painted white, walls have benches and cabinets. The floor is light gray epoxy. I was going to put the outter two tubes on one switch and the inner two tube on a seperate switch.

What would be the best layout is 6 lights to much?

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Robert

 

[sneezer41]

It is difficult to have too much light

I like having at least some at a right angle to others, but that is just a preference

think about setting some up for specific task lighting, over benches, cabinets etc

 

[A_lights]

@Robert 2006: sounds great! are T12 right?(most modern T8 troffers only have 1 four lamp ballast)
i personally would use the same setup.
BTW if they are T12s with magnetic ballasts they may not start below 50 degrees F.
"high output" fluorescent lamps are designed for cold weather as well as newer T8 lamps with their electronic ballasts.
another thing is : make sure to use the full wattage F40T12s the 34W "energy saver" type does not perform as well and less light output

 

[The J]

I was going to put the outter two tubes on one switch and the inner two tube on a seperate switch.

I would stagger them instead of outside/inside circuits. That way you can turn on half the lights but have the whole room illuminated instead of a large darker area in the middle or outside. When you need all the light, hit both switches. For most of the stuff, you'll probably find that you only need to turn on one switch to get sufficient room lighting.

 

[Robert 2006]

This is the layout I was thinking about, what do you think, any changes???

 

[thdewey]

I like your layout.
The one thing I would add is task lighting at the Chop/radial saw bench and at the drill press. It could be as simple as a bare bulb with a pull chain (old school) or another set of switched track lighting (would look better).

FWIW: I used desk lamps painted to match shop accent color, on top of my wall cabinets shining down on the bench with switches at the benchtop recepticle. The wires were hidden.

Good luck and please post photos of your progress.

 

[RTUmark]

Your layout should provide plenty of light. We have the same size garage; painted similarly. I have (4) 4-lamp fixtures and it lights up the garage like the sun. The only thing I caution you is the garage door when open. In the summer I might work with the door open and it blocks light from the 2 of my fixtures. Not sure what could be done and still have a symmetrical layout.

 

[PhantomEB]

Two points for starters to think about.

As already mentioned, ones that would be blocked by the big door open for a long time and still workin out there, put on a seperate switch.

As well, if Plans to work under the hood or sides of the car... the lights directly dont do much other than light your roof. I would myself go for 2 more sets of lights and spread them out a little more to get light under hood and to the side of the vehicle. In doing this puts more light over the benches and tools. Even with the under cabinet lighting.

When I redo mine this summer, I am doing perimeter lighting with at least 4 fixtures in the middle like yours are. Any cabineted wall will have the lights under the cabinet, not up top.

 

[sams]

I suggest moving the two middle ones outwards so that you don't throw a bit of a shadow once you get past a certain point at the edge. Having daylight globes helps there also, it will also help you with your car work, use 6500 only

 

[Robert 2006]

Is there a foot print size for the light. Fixture 8 feet from floor with diffuser grids. Does the light shine at 30 degrees out from fixture??