Garage Lighting Layout - Need Validation

[Stickymatch]

Hi...longtime lurker. I was wondering if I can get some assistance with lighting in my detached garage I'm currently building. It's 20'W x 24'D x 10.5" H with a finished drywalled ceiling and walls. I plan on installing a 4-post lift (17.25' L x 9'W footprint) placed 4' from the right side wall and centered front to back.

Using the Visual Interior Tool that was linked in another thread, it looks like I'll need 12 Maxlite LSS2XT8USE4803 fixtures running the GreenTek GT-T8-18W1200 BIXX(5000K) bulbs, which should give me 98 fc at 30". My plan is to run them 4x3 at 90 degree orientation so that I have 3 rows of 4 fixtures at the required spacing (6' OC front to back, 6.6' OC left to right).

Does this sound right? Should I run a 0 degree orientation? Any adjustments to prevent shadowing when a car is on the lift or it is pretty much unavoidable?

Any information is greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!

 

[ODIS]

A shot of my 2 car garage set up. 10.5’ clear from finished floor. Recessed the fixtures over the lifts to maintain clearance. At the time of construction, LEDs were crazy expensive. Went with 4x-4’ T-8s and 5k. Comfortable space to be in for hours at a time.

Your setup looks like it will work. Shadows caused by lifts are unavoidable unless fixtures are mounted on the wall, then of course, you might get “blinding” issues.

My biggest complaint is with the garage doors that have windows. While under the lift and looking back at the garage doors, get lots of back light and this makes it impossible to see what is going on under the lift.

 

[justnutsandbolts]

A shot of my 2 car garage set up. 10.5’ clear from finished floor. Recessed the fixtures over the lifts to maintain clearance. At the time of construction, LEDs were crazy expensive. Went with 4x-4’ T-8s and 5k. Comfortable space to be in for hours at a time.

Your setup looks like it will work. Shadows caused by lifts are unavoidable unless fixtures are mounted on the wall, then of course, you might get “blinding” issues.

My biggest complaint is with the garage doors that have windows. While under the lift and looking back at the garage doors, get lots of back light and this makes it impossible to see what is going on under the lift.

Can't you tint the windows?
Here is how I solved the visibility issues under the lift:

Stickymatch,


I would equally space the light fixtures and have at least one right over the engine bay area. Don't make a calculation of $100-200 difference, just install more lights if you can. Lighting is all worth it


The darkness under the lifts are unavoidable unless you install lights underneath.
Do you have a picture of your lift? Why cant you wire up lights for the lift?
Google search

 

[Stickymatch]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. I know a car on the lift will block the light, I was more concerned with shadowing of adjacent areas in the garage.

ODIS.....I actually didn't think about recessing the lights for lift clearance, that's a great idea. I'm also getting a garage door with tinted windows for the exact reasoning you mentioned....didn't want the glare when looking back. Also...don't hide that Ford GT, she's wants to be seen

Justnutsandbolts.....Yeah, definitely not worried about the cost of adding a few more fixtures, just wanted to get a baseline and some feedback so things aren't missed. This is a blank slate, foundation is being poured this week, so I have time to put more thought, probably need to just lay the footprint out of cabinets, lift, etc. and see where to space lighting. There's also a runway light option for the lift I'm looking at...that's a no brainer, not messing around with the old trouble light hanging from the exhaust lol