Garage lighting help!

[mark94tt]

Hey everyone! I've been a long time lurker but it's finally time to start some work.

For this project, the architect has an idea in the garage bays for 6 banks of 4 bulb 4ft T8 bulbs each. The can lights that are currently on the plan in the right bay have been scrapped, as they just aren't that useful.

The issue/concern that I'm running into is if the architect's plan is enough light for a workshop? The right bay has high ceilings that slope from roughly 11ft in the rear up to 18ft in the front. The left bay has ceilings that peak in the center and include a dormer that faces forward. See below for some additional images of the garage to get a feel for the space:

Looking at the left bay from the right one.

Looking at the right bay from the left one.

An idea of the ceiling height of the right bay.

My current thought is to spread out the lights more and do fixtures with only two bulbs and a greater number of lights. However, that "idea" ended up including 20 fixtures for the right bay and 16 for the left: a dream come true for the electrician, but a nightmare (cost wise) for me.

Any suggestions or bits of wisdom regarding the lighting plan are greatly appreciated!

 

[ForceFed70]

I think 6 x 4lamp fixtures per bay will be plenty. I am only planning to use 9 of those same fixtures in a 32x40 shop with 12' ceilings.

If you're really worried about it, you could look into using T8HO (high output) fixtures instead of regular T8.

 

[Jagmandave]

I think that will be fine for general illumination - especially if you're going to drywall and paint the walls and ceiling. Then use task lighting over the workbenches....

 

[Zeke]

Yes, you maybe shouldn't delete the can lights. Lights from behind you aren't that good for working at a bench. You could do wall lights.

 

[mark94tt]

Thank you all for the suggestions!

I ended up choosing 7, 4 bulb lights in the left bay and 9 in the right. The left bay will be controlled by two circuits and the right bay will be controlled with 3 circuits.