LED High bays at12'?

[madspeed50]

Rethinking y LED lighting plan for the garage. To do it the typical 4' 2 light LED strip light I'd need to mount 28 fixtures. What a pain in the **** that would be, especially getting them all straight and squared etc.

Looking at these high bays... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071XSNQD7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I especially like that they can be dimmable for those times where i'm just going out to grab something etc.

Will 12' mounting height be too low for these or do you have any other recommended fixtures that wont kill the bank too much?

 

[BB Sig]

What are the dimensions of the building? What color are the walls?

I found the two bulb led linkable lamps from Costco a good buy when they run a sale/rebate. Use a laser to align the lights.

Sent from my SM-G950U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Platonic Solid]

Apparently you've decided not to buy the 2-lamp Metalux fixtures you said you could get a great deal on. This 3-lamp strip light is a good option. You'd need 16 (4x4 layout).

You could get away with 12 of these (link) (4x3 layout) plus a dimmer. Note: This will result in glare on walls.

8 of these (link) or what you linked to (4x2 layout) plus a dimmer. Note: This will result in more glare on walls.

Moving higher output fixtures away from walls will reduce reflected glare and will also cause shadows between car and side walls.

Regardless of selected fixture lumen output, max fixture center to fixture center spacing is 12' for your ceiling height. Go beyond that and distribution becomes uneven.

 

[madspeed50]

Apparently you've decided not to buy the 2-lamp Metalux fixtures you said you could get a great deal on. This 3-lamp strip light is a good option. You'd need 16 (4x4 layout).

You could get away with 12 of these (link) (4x3 layout) plus a dimmer. Note: This will result in glare on walls.

8 of these (link) or what you linked to (4x2 layout) plus a dimmer. Note: This will result in more glare on walls.

Moving higher output fixtures away from walls will reduce reflected glare and will also cause shadows between car and side walls.

Regardless of selected fixture lumen output, max fixture center to fixture center spacing is 12' for your ceiling height. Go beyond that and distribution becomes uneven.

I appreciate your input. While those 8' lights definitely are at a great deal, the thought of mounting that many seems a bit like a task. I have a DIALux that you made up for me a few weeks ago, and was based off 4' fixtures like in the OP. The 8' fixtures I mentioned would work out in the configuration given in that diagram. Perhaps I'm overthinking but starting to think I should look at a dimmable fixture.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Let's go back to the beginning. What's the purpose of the space and how often will it be used for automotive mechanical work.

Not to overwhelm you with options, but here is a good deal on a dimmable fixture: 4ft integrated LED strip lights

 

[madspeed50]

Space is household garage, no major work done in it. Mostly hobby type stuff, I have a barn with a workshop for all that. I'm just looking to get this garage well lit, but not overkill. I feel dimmable would be best as we go out there pretty frequently to grab stuff out of the fridge or tool cabinet and no need to run major lumens for that. I do detail y cars in here so need some nice lighting for that on occasion.

I'm the guy with this odd shaped garage...

 

[Platonic Solid]

In this case I'd aim for around 50fc average at 30" workplane.

 

[cybrdyke]

I feel dimmable would be best as we go out there pretty frequently to grab stuff out of the fridge or tool cabinet and no need to run major lumens for that.

Just a thought....
I dont see very many people who would walk into their garage and slide the dimmer to anywhere but all the way up when they're walking through the space. After all, you're only gonna be there a few seconds, so what does it matter, right?
A better idea would be to put a few different zones in, so that if you want to walk through, only a few of the lights come on. You can do this wirelessly without running a bunch of circuits. Easy peasy.
CD

 

[madspeed50]

I was thinking one of this type dimmer where I could use the small slider to control the level to a lower point and when I'd actually be needing more light I could slide it up. this way when the kids etc go out there the lighting is adequate but can be increased when I need more. make sense?

 

[cybrdyke]

I was thinking one of this type dimmer where I could use the small slider to control the level to a lower point and when I'd actually be needing more light I could slide it up. this way when the kids etc go out there the lighting is adequate but can be increased when I need more. make sense?

I gotcha. I get your intentions. That switch would work as you describe. In my experience, though, over time, that slider will get pushed up to the top level and will never get moved back down. Human nature, I suppose.
If you think it will work for you, then go for it.
Good luck,
CD

 

[Platonic Solid]

I'd go with the 4ft integrated LED strip lights I linked to in post 5. Since they only come in 6 packs, you should be able to make 12 work.