Garage Lighting for 2 car garage

[satchan]

We recently moved into a house that has a standard 2 car garage (20w x10D x10H ). Right now the only source of light are from the garage opener.

The ceiling has 2 power sockets.. one that goes to the garage opener and the second where I can attach lights. There is a beam that runs across the garage right in the center.

How many lights would one recommend for a 2 car garage. We do not do serious work in the garage like most of the people in this forum seem to do. However, we do plan to take up some small hobbies in the future that we will end up doing in the garage.. so we want some decent lighting.

We have purchased some ballasts and 32WT8 48" fluroscent bulbs. Can someone suggest where we can put these lights, and how many would you recommend ? We definitely do not want to light up the neighborhood, but definitely want more light in the garage.

Attaching a few options we have thought about... suggestions would be great.

 

[Sneaux]

I set mine up like figure #2 but I only used 2 lights. I work on my truck a lot so I pull it into the middle of the garage and have plenty of light on both sides.

 

[sberry]

Hang them and see how it all works out, once you are happy then maybe mount for the long haul.

 

[satchan]

Thanks Sneaux , sberry

My only concern for figure #2 was that the beam in the center would block the light to the front of the garage. I could put the two lights under the beam,.. but would that block something and be an easy candidate for breaking ?

I guess, I will take sberry's advice and hang them around till i find a configuration that works.

 

[TWX]

I made a box of four 8' fixtures of two bulbs each at my old house, 20'x20' approximately. Only one fixture was blocked when the door was open.

 

[SnailMechanic]

I have a similiar set up in my garage, minus the beam.

Is it safe to wire 4 fixtures to one plug? My garage unit also plugs into the other socket.

 

[Nova_Guy]

I just built a 18 X 24 addition to my house. I used 4 double bulb T 8 fixtures arranged like the top layout. Mine has plenty of light to do most any work. My workbench is against the front wall and with my back to the lights its a little dark. I plan on another one directly above the workbench in the future.