How many lights needed/layout options

[vrinner]

So in planning my 40X60 garage build I'm trying to figure out the best way to light it.
The 40X20 section that has the cars parked sideways will have a second floor above it.
The remaining 40X40 section will be all open with a front opening height of 16' sloping back to I think 12'...roof height is still TBD.

The 40X40 section will be more for working on cars and various projects.
The 40X20 section will be more for displaying finished cars/product/museum type setting.

I see that Sams Club has those 4' 5000K lights in a 10 pack on sale for $184 and was thinking about going this route.

Would it be better to go with fewer but larger high bay LED lights or many of the 4' ones?

I think I need a total of 100,000K lumens to properly light the shop.

 

[Lelandwelds]

So in planning my 40X60 garage build I'm trying to figure out the best way to light it.
The 40X20 section that has the cars parked sideways will have a second floor above it.
The remaining 40X40 section will be all open with a front opening height of 16' sloping back to I think 12'...roof height is still TBD.

The 40X40 section will be more for working on cars and various projects.
The 40X20 section will be more for displaying finished cars/product/museum type setting.

I see that Sams Club has those 4' 5000K lights in a 10 pack on sale for $184 and was thinking about going this route.

Would it be better to go with fewer but larger high bay LED lights or many of the 4' ones?

I think I need a total of 100,000K lumens to properly light the shop.

Uhh, are you sure your building is big enough for that number of cars? Are you planning on jackstands and dollies to position cars?

If you are not using the software, lower output fixtures are easier with lower ceilings. Does it need to be one or the other? The Sam's fixture is better than fluorescent but is the lowest quality LED commonly available. Other choices named in the sticky offer 30 to 50 % more light for the same electricity. They have twice the service life also.

Cutting electrical costs by 50% for 7 to 20 years just by using another fixture is worth considering.

 

[vrinner]

The picture with the cars was more just for me to see the scale. I doubt I'll really ever have that many anyways. But I do have dollies.

You mention "not using the software"...what software is that? Sorry for the nubie questions.

I agree that I'd rather buy the better output fixtures as this is a long term project.

 

[FTG-05]

So in planning my 40X60 garage build I'm trying to figure out the best way to light it.
The 40X20 section that has the cars parked sideways will have a second floor above it.
The remaining 40X40 section will be all open with a front opening height of 16' sloping back to I think 12'...roof height is still TBD.

The 40X40 section will be more for working on cars and various projects.
The 40X20 section will be more for displaying finished cars/product/museum type setting.

I see that Sams Club has those 4' 5000K lights in a 10 pack on sale for $184 and was thinking about going this route.

Would it be better to go with fewer but larger high bay LED lights or many of the 4' ones?

I think I need a total of 100,000K lumens to properly light the shop.

I don't know what your answer, but it's not this.

I have four 400 watt HIDs in my 36x76 shop, each about 30,000 lumens (at 75 lumens/watt) and my shop lighting *****. Deep shadows and dark corners all over the place. One is totally blocked by the high bay shop door; what a moronic place to put one of four shop lights! They are bright as heck, can't hardly look at them directly they're so bright, yet they **** for shop lighting.

I've been retrofitting those Sams Club 4500 lumens shop lights and couldn't be happier. I have the 10 pack on order and places for 6 of them already.

 

[Platonic Solid]

5000 lumen fixtures mounted over 10ft is pointless for mechanical work.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

I think I need a total of 100,000K lumens to properly light the shop.

I believe your definition of "properly" differs from mine.

I built a 48x64 with 14' walls, with 20 of these LED fixtures that are 14,410 lumens each. That's over 288,000 lumens.

Check out this link to see pics.

I believe you would be disappointed with 100,000 lumens in your shop.

ETA: Also, fewer high-output lights will cast way more shadows than more low-output lights.

 

[vrinner]

I believe your definition of "properly" differs from mine.

I built a 48x64 with 14' walls, with 20 of these LED fixtures that are 14,410 lumens each. That's over 288,000 lumens.

Check out this link to see pics.

I believe you would be disappointed with 100,000 lumens in your shop.

ETA: Also, fewer high-output lights will cast way more shadows than more low-output lights.

I ran some calculation from one of the gazzillion links I found and put my shop dimensions in and it said 100,000 lumens. I guess I need to find a more reliable source. I've spent hours on this forum hoping to fine some magical link that will just build my shop for me...no such luck yet. Thanks for the advice and example pictures...looks like I'll need more lights!

 

[Platonic Solid]

Have you tried the visual photometric tool (link)?

 

[FTG-05]

I believe your definition of "properly" differs from mine.

I built a 48x64 with 14' walls, with 20 of these LED fixtures that are 14,410 lumens each. That's over 288,000 lumens.

Check out this link to see pics.

I believe you would be disappointed with 100,000 lumens in your shop.

ETA: Also, fewer high-output lights will cast way more shadows than more low-output lights.

Basically, exactly what I said earlier.

And here's a couple pics that illustrates pretty convincingly.

First pic is with the four 400 HID lights on with only one other 4500 lumen light in the far side of the shop. Note the deep shadows.

The 2nd pic is with my four Sams Club 4500 lumen lights pretty much directly above and a little behind my box blade plus two 8' flor fixtures behind me over my work benches.

 

[vrinner]

Basically, exactly what I said earlier.

And here's a couple pics that illustrates pretty convincingly.

First pic is with the four 400 HID lights on with only one other 4500 lumen light in the far side of the shop. Note the deep shadows.

The 2nd pic is with my four Sams Club 4500 lumen lights pretty much directly above and a little behind my box blade plus two 8' flor fixtures behind me over my work benches.

A picture is worth a thousand words! Very helpful info!