Fluorescent lighting fixture type and layout in garage

[karsty]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here! I hope I can get some guidance from some of you.

I have a 22'x22' garage with a 9'-6" ceiling height. It will have white painted drywalled walls and ceiling. I built my garage so that I can work in it. I want it to be useable for working on cars, and general mechanic stuff, etc. Lots of light output and good light distribution are my main goals. Right now I'm trying to determine how many fluorescent lights I need and where to position them on the ceiling to attain those goals.

I was thinking of going with these fixtures: http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/...ode+matchall&recN=172487&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber As you can see they have a reflector hood on them. I figure that would be a good thing for getting the light directed down and out. Thoughts on this?

I would get 4 of these fixtures which would equal to 16 - 32w T8 bulbs. I have a garage door opener running down the center of the garage, so I was thinking of running two sets of these 8' fixtures back to back in a row (16' long total) in the middle of one bay, and the same on the other side. Basically one row(16') of these fixtures would be spaced evenly between the side wall and the garage opener, and the same on the other side of the opener.

I plan on running a 5000k, 32W Philips Alto II lights with around 2950 lumens.

So the question is, are these fixtures/bulbs and this layout going to provide me with the best lighting for working on cars, etc and the best light distribution(little to no shadows)?

The other option I thought of was to go with these fixtures: http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/...ode+matchall&recN=172487&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber

With these lights I would run 4 rows of single bulb fixtures, with 4 fixtures back to back in each row (hope that makes sense). There would still be 16 bulbs total. Would I get better lighting and light distribution by going this route? This option would require more wiring, but if it gives better results then I will consider it.

Just a side note, I downloaded a program(DIALux) to try to assist me in figuring this all out, and I don't really know how to work it or get the results I'm looking for. I read on here about using the method of a certain amount of lumens/SF method. So 2950 lumens per bulb X 16 bulbs = 47,200 lumens. Inside area of garage is 441 SF. 47200/441 = 107 lumens/SF. Is that good lighting???

Anyways, any help/direction you can give me on this would be greatly appreciated. If you can suggest a better layout or better type of fixture, then please do. Looking for the best results in my garage if possible.

Thanks in advance!!
Shaun

 

[Norcal]

The economy industrial fixtures in the 1st link would be a good choice, in a 3-car garage, (24 X 36) I used 2 rows of 8 - 4' fixtures per. Here is the link to the manufacturers catalog of what was used: http://www.acuitybrandslighting.com/library/LL/documents/psg/WC.pdf

They were 5 years old from parts of a strip mall being demoed & paid $5 ea. this was in 1994 & Circuit City was built in it's place, how things change....

 

[bradleys]

The 107 lumens per square foot should be OK. In this forum, there's a post "New garage lighting with low voltage controls." It has pictures of my new lighting. There are a couple of pictures with the lights off and lights on. My lighting is about 105-110 lumens per square foot (depending on whether the lamps are 2800 or 2950 lumens). That should give you an idea of what to expect. The "all white" decor is also my favorite. I haven't finished painting the rest of my OSB because I didn't want the electricians to have to huff paint fumes all day.

I have a little trouble understanding descriptions rather than pictures. However, it sounds like you're planning to put your lights in the middle of your bays? If so, you might consider placing them between bays as much as possible. That way, the light will shine on the floor and sideways a little under your vehicles, rather than on top of the vehicles. I don't know you you would lay those out in your case. Maybe you can use some single or dual lamp 4-foot fixtures on each wall, and maybe some single lamp 4-foot fixtures in the center, on each side of the opener track? It starts to get more complicated and expensive, however.

And, as I always suggest, check with a local electric supply house for your lights. You may be pleased with their prices. With the continuing economic zombie apocalypse, many formerly wholesale-only suppliers have become much more reasonable.

$0.02
FWIW
YMMV

 

[karsty]

I have a little trouble understanding descriptions rather than pictures. However, it sounds like you're planning to put your lights in the middle of your bays? If so, you might consider placing them between bays as much as possible. That way, the light will shine on the floor and sideways a little under your vehicles, rather than on top of the vehicles. I don't know you you would lay those out in your case. Maybe you can use some single or dual lamp 4-foot fixtures on each wall, and maybe some single lamp 4-foot fixtures in the center, on each side of the opener track? It starts to get more complicated and expensive, however.

I understand pictures better as well, so I've done a few quick sketches on paint to describe what I mean.

Lighting Layout 1: 2 rows of 2 bulb fixtures spaced evenly on the ceiling.

Lighting Layout 2: 4 rows of single bulb fixtures. 1st and last row 3' from the wall. Interior rows, spaced 5' from outside rows, and 5' from eachother.

I think option 2 best describes the way you are suggesting to layout the fixtures. I don't want to put lights on the wall, as that will be used for shelving/storage.

Thoughts from anyone after seeing the pics? Is there a better way of doing things?

 

[Ch3No2]

I would vote for sketch number 2 as if there is going to be a work bench on the left or right side walls you will really appreciate the light directly above

 

[karsty]

I will probably end up going with sketch #2 or a variation of that. Might make the interior two rows of lights closer together, say 4' instead of 5' (which would make the space above the vehicles 6'), in order to maximize the amount of light that shines on the sides of the vehicles instead of on top of them. Sound like a good idea?

Any other suggestions for what type of lights to use or a different layout that might be better?

 

[Stuart in MN]

Sketch #2 makes the most sense. You may also want a couple fixtures going crossways at the front end of the garage, to provide light when you're working under the hood.

 

[karsty]

Sketch #2 makes the most sense. You may also want a couple fixtures going crossways at the front end of the garage, to provide light when you're working under the hood.

I think I'm going to install one incandescent bulb fixture right above the hood of each car (two incandescent fixtures total), or slightly in front of them, for this reason.

This will also allow me to turn on the incandescent bulbs when I just need to quickly grab something from the garage, rather than turning on all of the fluorescent lights.

Also wondering if it's worth it to put the 4 rows of fluorescent lights on two switches, or if it's even worth doing that in such a relatively small area?

 

[zill]

Karsty,

I used NE HID T88' 4811 Beets Fixture. I like Them, Looking at your DESIGN-Maybe Consider placing a Fixture on the wall opposite the Doors

 

[karsty]

So it turns out that the single row fixtures are only $3 cheaper/fixture than the double row fixtures.

What if I were to go with my option 2 picture above, but instead of doing 4 single row fixtures, go with 4 double row fixtures...32 - 48" bulbs in the same general layout? Would that be too much light, or way overkill?

I dunno, it just doesnt seem logical to go with the single row lights when I could go with the doubles for practically the same price. However I'm undecided if 4 rows of these double lights will be way too much light, and I don't know if going with the option 1 layout(with the double lights) will be enough light...or good enough light distribution.

Gaahh!

 

[Boyd Who]

My build is 20 x 22 and I plan to run 3 rows of 3 double-tube 48" T-8 units. They will be evenly spaced. I may add in a couple across the front of the garage for under-hood illumination, but I'll see once the garage is built. As for "too much light"...there's no such thing as too much light.

 

[v7guy]

I currently have two rows of three double tube T8s in my garage and I'm seriously thinking about another row to really flood the area.

With that said, what I have is more than enough for most people, but I do a good bit of car work and some woodworking here and there and I want to be working under "better than daylight" conditions while I frequently work at night.

As it stands now it looks like a UFO is landing if I light up everything. I've tinted the garage door windows and eventually plan to eliminate the garage door windows when the time comes. The side window illuminates the entire side of the neighbors house, and accordingly I have residential tint for that window on the way as well as some consideration for blinds... don't want the neighbors to be looking in while I'm welding.

A lot of your light requirements comes down to the individual in my experience. My only suggestion is to wire each bank to a separate switch so you can choose how much light to have and when in doubt add more fixtures.


When you're trying to find a bolt at 2 am you'll be thank full for the excess of light... and the flood light you have in the corner.

 

[karsty]

Well, other things got in the way of getting my lighting done, but I'm finally at the point where I can drywall my ceiling and get the fluorescents mounted. I've done a new sketch showing the lighting layout I plan to go with. I'm using 4' long double tube T-8 strip lights. At the front of the garage over my workbench and mandoor there will be a row of these lights 16' long. There will be 4 rows of the same type of fixtures over the cars, but these will be 12' long.

The fixtures above the cars end 3-1/2' from the overhead door. Do you think I'll be lacking light with the lights this far away from the door? I planned to run each 4' fixture back to back to make a continuous row. This makes wiring between the lights more simple as I don't have to wire up into the attic to connect each fixture. But maybe separating the lights by 1' or so and bringing that last fixture closer to the overhead door would be better. Any thoughts on this?

Lastly, the fixtures running beside the overhead door rails are 3' from the sidewalls. Again, is 3' too far away from the wall? Or will there be plenty of light shining down the walls still?

Hope you guys can provide a bit more assistance!

 

[karsty]

Any input?

 

[scutty83]

I just completed wiring and installing t8s in my 30x30 pole barn w/ 10' cielings. I used six 8' tandem fixtures (four 4' bulbs per fixture) and spaced them 4 feet apart and into three rows for a total of 24 bulbs. So each row is 20' long overall with 5' from reaching the end walls. It is bright, but not overkill. I have found with flourescent lighting shadowing is not that bad and light seems to distribute well.
I would say you are on the right track as far as making continuous rows. You will not miss that 3' from the walls and wiring would be much easier. Also I would consider just using two 8' 4-bulb fixtures back to back. All the big box stores carry them and are usually right around $40 a piece. For one thing, you would only have 2 ballast per row instead of 4, making wiring and future ballast replacement cheaper and easier. Second, you will have twice the amount of lumens and you can never have too much light in a shop.

 

[elguappo]

karsty,
I am partway thru installing lights in my garage, I went with a very similar layout to yours.
I have a tilt up garage door instead of rollup, so there is more ceiling visible toward the front of the garage in mine.
y entrance door from the house is centered where yours is offset, and I have an existing 8' dual T12 fixture about 5' out, perpendicular to the door.

I then ran my 4 T8 lights with 4, 4' bulbs each, front to back like you did.
However, towards the front of the garage I have a beam taht runs across about 3' in from the garage door opening. It hangs down about 4", and I will install 2, 8' T8 lights across the front. My garage door is also 16'.
I think your plan is sound.

 

[Wholesum]

I recently rewired my garage to add light fixtures and to put outlets in more locations, including the ceiling for the lights. I placed them directly over the work locations for the built in benches I have and then in work zones. I have areas where I will work and it may be a 8x8 or smaller area depending upon the project. I need light from above and slightly to the side for best illuminating what I am working on.

With a car workshop the same would apply. I would want two 8' fixtures parallel to the work area and about 7 feet apart. Closer than that and there are shadows from the car and further apart than that and I am going to be working in my own shadow.

I chose to have outlets mounted on the ceiling so I could locate the fixtures in multiple locations and make changes in the future by only adding new hooks in the ceiling for the support chains. I did a combination of 4' and 8' fixtures, all using the new type of CFL tubes.

A self contained CFL fixture is easier to replace or to repair if a ballast or other part goes south.

 

[karsty]

Thanks for everyone's input. I think I'll continue with my plan as I have it laid out.

I just completed wiring and installing t8s in my 30x30 pole barn w/ 10' cielings. I used six 8' tandem fixtures (four 4' bulbs per fixture) and spaced them 4 feet apart and into three rows for a total of 24 bulbs. So each row is 20' long overall with 5' from reaching the end walls. It is bright, but not overkill. I have found with flourescent lighting shadowing is not that bad and light seems to distribute well.
I would say you are on the right track as far as making continuous rows. You will not miss that 3' from the walls and wiring would be much easier. Also I would consider just using two 8' 4-bulb fixtures back to back. All the big box stores carry them and are usually right around $40 a piece. For one thing, you would only have 2 ballast per row instead of 4, making wiring and future ballast replacement cheaper and easier. Second, you will have twice the amount of lumens and you can never have too much light in a shop.

I got my fixtures awhile ago so I'd like to use them if possible. I could always buy 4 more 4' 2-bulb fixtures and add them to the ends of each row, making each row 16' long. Would just have to move each row forward 6" or so to make them fit.

But even if I changed my setup to two 8' 4-bulb fixtures like you're suggesting, I don't think it would be twice as many lumens as my current proposed lighting layout. In fact my layout gives me 32 4' bulbs or 128' of bulbs which is the same total length as what you're suggesting but in a different bulb length and configuration.