How many T8 is enough?

[jaker10]

I put up a 30x48 building with 12 foot ceiling. I just bought 25 T8 twin tube with reflector. Do you think this is enough? I'm putting 5 per row. The only problem I see is the end rows will be 8 feet from the walls.

 

[cj7365]

well I have a 30x50 10ft ceiling, with 8, 3 bulb T-8 fixtures and this is all I need

 

[samert111]

28' x 48' with 14 ft walls and I have 12 4ft 2 bulb T12 fixtures and I think it's plenty.

 

[jaker10]

Thanks, the reason I asked was a web sight I went to said you should have between 500 and 1000 lumens of light per sq. meter. Mine figures out to 875 per sq. yard. And I figured if 25 lights or 50 bulbs wasn't enough now is the time to add more. At 2800 lumens per bulb 60 = 1087 lumens per sq. meter, if I added 10 more bulbs or 1 more light per run it would give me that. But it didn't give anything for the height of ceiling so I asked.

 

[dlc]

I have 4 of the 6 bulb high bay T8 in my 24'x32'x14' and it's plenty bright enough.

These: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...keyword=high+output+flourescent&storeId=10051

 

[jaker10]

Great, It looks like I have about twice what I need. I just finished hanging them today but don't have power to building yet so I don't know how bright it will be.

 

[Jern]

I have 60 bulbs (15 4-bulb fixtures) mounted at 12 feet from the floor in a 50 x 60 building. You have 50 bulbs in half the space.

Prepare to be amazed!

 

[Garage5.9]

when you think have enough your not even close

 

[Steevo]

17 four-bulb T8 fixtures in my 24x40 with 12' ceilings
That is 68 tubes, in a little more than half your space.

 

[jaker10]

Steevo, How's the light? Sounds like you have more than me! Over kill or do you like it?

 

[Ch3No2]

20 x 44 with 15 4tube Lights 10' ceiling and it can be daylight if I want....I spent a little more and got the double ballast fixtures so I could be energy friendly if I want

 

[Steevo]

Steevo, How's the light? Sounds like you have more than me! Over kill or do you like it?

I think it is just right.

 

[stoveboltgunnut]

I wired my 24x30x10 for 14 4ft double tube t8 fixtures. I'm installing them a few at a time, so far I have 4 up, another 4 going up today. I spent my life working in an old shop that had very poor lighting...I'm determined to see what I'm working on. They are plug in style so layout is modular, I can move them pretty much anywhere I need to if I find a dark spot. My FIL says I'll have to wear sunscreen.

You can never have too much light.

 

[mpraddict]

I have 42 T-8 lamps (mostly 8' 4 lamp fixteres) in my 24x28x10H work area. Its a good amount of light. I have mine on two separate switches so I can turn off half of them (staggered) when full lighting isn't needed.

 

[Falcon67]

Go to Harbor Freight and buy an auto dark welding helmet. Take it to your shop, put it on and turn on the lights. If the lens doesn't go dark, you need more bulbs.

 

[OldNeons]

I really like what Steevo has done above - but it sure looks to me like more than 17 fixtures? Are those 17 - 8' fixtures? each containing 4 4' lamps? I also "second" the post above that says when you think you have enough - you aren't even close. This is definitely true in lighting a shop! Switch them by area and even 2 separately switched "groups" in a given area so you can have average or daylight depending on the job at hand. Also remember, you are not always going to have the 20/20 vision you might be lucky enough to have now! By grouping you can maximize efficiency, but still make it "sunglasses" bright when it's time to get to work! Good luck

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have a 32x52 shop with a total of 23 fixtures. Each one is 8' long with (4) 4' T8 bulbs. They are on 4 circuits with 8 being overall lighting and 5 centered over each of the 3 bays,

Even an old blind fart like me can see in there....

 

[John in OH]

I have 48, 4 ft. T8 bulbs in a 34 x 54 building with 12 ft. ceilings and I think it's fine. Photos of the lights and description of the switching arrangement is in Post #91 & 93 of my build thread at: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98038&page=5
I have also installed task lights in specific areas such as over workbenches etc.

However, the finish you put on the walls and ceiling will have a significant impact on the overall lighting. My ceiling is white steel and walls (eventually) will be drywall and painted a light color. If your ceiling is open or walls are unfinished you may want to add more lights.

 

[Diverbill45]

When you get bulbs for those lights, get the "daylight bright" bulbs, they're a little brighter than the others.

I installed them in my shop and with 6 2 bulb 4footers in each bay of a 24x24 shop it is really bright, which is real nice.