Good grief another lighting question.

[Blazinzuk]

I truly feel lost when it comes to this.

I have been looking at super bright LEDs

This particular light. https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ixture-industrial-led-light-5-long/3255/7831/

But it seems that many people agree a simple conventional T8 fixture is a more cost effective option.

Then there is always the standard bearer of the Costco or Sam's club led fixtures.

Or even buying conventional fixtures and removing g the ballast to work with led tubes.

Can I get some help in understanding and comparing advantages and disadvantages. I would prefer the lights to not drop from the ceiling but to be mounted directly

I have read many threads on the subject and apologize for my ignorance.

The shop is a 40' wide 30' deep. Ceilings are 13'4". Ceiling will have sheetrock and walls will have OSB that I intend to paint white. I do mainly welding and fabrication. But occasionally end up painting what I fab. I also do automotive stuff.

 

[GunRunner]

Blazinzuk,

I am in the same boat as you and I'm lost when it comes to lighting. I read through the layout sticky at the top of this sub forum and while it helped in one way, it confused me more in another. I had originally thought of going with (20) 4 foot LED fixtures with the T8 LED bulbs but didn't know what configuration to put them in and asked Platonic Solid for help but he never got back with me. Then I looked at the Big *** Lights and one of their reps told me all I needed was 6 of there 2 foot fixtures, I thought this was great until she told me that they were $400 a fixture. Then I spoke to a local electrical company and actually spoke with the owner and I told him my thoughts on 20 fixtures. He thought that 20 fixtures were way overkill and could possibly be too bright. Basically this is what I've decided on, I have a 30 wide X 40 Deep garage with 11' ceilings and the way my expansion joints are in the floor I have 12 squares. I plan on putting one 4 foot LED fixture centered in each square and going from there. I will probably go with the fixture that is suggested in the sticky for best light fixture or a comparable one from Bees Lighting. I know this doesn't help you but at least your not alone in trying to figure this stuff out.

 

[Blazinzuk]

Naw man it helps. Your shop is the same size as mine. I appreciate the feedback

That's sounds like a decent idea. I might do the same as I have 12 squares too lol

 

[Radix2]

Hey guys, use the lithonia lighting tool to give you an estimate of how many lights it takes to get to a light level or to find out how bright your planned level of lights will be. It is pretty simple and only takes a few minutes.

http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/

 

[ROCKNMUD]

Thanks for sharing the link. What light levels should we try to achieve? I am showing 687 fc. Is this enough for general garage work?

 

[cybrdyke]

Thanks for sharing the link. What light levels should we try to achieve? I am showing 687 fc. Is this enough for general garage work?

Zoiks! That's way too much.
Residential garage, for storing cars and small tasks-shoot for 40-50 fc, with task lighting for workbenches, etc.
Commercial garage, for working on cars- shoot for 70-80 fc with task lighting for special work areas.
Painting, inspection or detailing-100 fc.
Just a few guidelines for you.
Good luck
CD