LED Suggestions

[Overhaulin63]

I am looking to put LEDs in my garage, but I am not sure how to determine the number of lumens I would need. The garage in 32x60 with 12' ceiling and unfortunately due to my age, my eyes like a lot of light. I would like to put up 8' fixtures if possible but I am not 100% sold on that size.

Any suggestion for the number of lumens, brand, and maybe even a source for these fixtures?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Obi-Wan]

I am looking to put LEDs in my garage, but I am not sure how to determine the number of lumens I would need. The garage in 32x60 with 12' ceiling and unfortunately due to my age, my eyes like a lot of light. I would like to put up 8' fixtures if possible but I am not 100% sold on that size.

Any suggestion for the number of lumens, brand, and maybe even a source for these fixtures?

I'm doing the same thing in my new 30x40' workshop with 14' ceilings. From the research I've done, it seems like 100-150 lumens per square foot is probably a good number. I'm shooting for 140-150 in my shop.

Many people quoting numbers assume fluorescent tubes, which radiate in all directions, and are hence somewhat less efficient pointing downward from a high ceiling. LED's are more directional, so you'll get more usable light per lumen produced. With white walls, 150 lumens of LED lights may be overkill, but I'd rather err in that direction than make it too dim.

I've heard good reviews of the Lights of America 48", dual-strip, 5000K, LED shop lights available from Amazon and Sam's Club. They're designed to be hung from chains, but can be modified to screw right to the ceiling. I'm testing one unit now, and like it, so I'll probably order a lot more for my shop. The forum doesn't like me posting links, apparently, or I'd send you one.

 

[cybrdyke]

Lumens per square foot doesn't work as a criteria for determining light levels. You need to determine a target for how many foot-candles you want. Illuminating Engineering Society says 50-100 foot candles for a repair-work garage. Once you determine your target, you'll need someone to help you do a fixture layout, using the fixtures of your choice.
The sticky at the top of this forum "lighting layout collection" has dozens of layouts already done. I'll bet that you find one that's pretty close to your configuration in there.
Good luck,
CD

 

[jav]

I'm wrapping up my garage build and used this site and an online calculator to do my light layout (used the beeslighing LED's from the best LED sticky on here). My ceilings and walls aren't yet covered and with my iphone light meter app I'm at 26FC (avg) and I'm very pleased... way brighter than my old garage with T12's. According to the calculator, once the walls and ceilings are at 80% reflective, I should end up around 34 FC and that seems fine for my over 50 eyes. I can't imagine 100 FC.

For reference, I only have about 40 lumens per square foot which is below recommendations.

 

[Overhaulin63]

Wow... great information!! Thanks guys!!!

 

[Toomanytools?]

I'm wrapping up my garage build and used this site and an online calculator to do my light layout (used the beeslighing LED's from the best LED sticky on here). My ceilings and walls aren't yet covered and with my iphone light meter app I'm at 26FC (avg) and I'm very pleased... way brighter than my old garage with T12's. According to the calculator, once the walls and ceilings are at 80% reflective, I should end up around 34 FC and that seems fine for my over 50 eyes. I can't imagine 100 FC.

For reference, I only have about 40 lumens per square foot which is below recommendations.

Hmm something seems off, at what height is that reading 36" off the floor? 34 seems low.

 

[jav]

Yes- 36" off the floor. What do you mean 34 seems low?? Do you mean that my light meter is reading low (could be- it's on an Iphone) or 34FC should seem like low light (it doesn't to me)?

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you were closer, I'd tell you to swing by and see what you thought of the LEDs I put in my garage.

I use both 4 and 8 foot fixtures with all 48" lamps.

 

[laser3kw]

LED lights seem "brighter" than florescence due to the LED light is projected down instead of all around the tube. Read the specs on the LED to make sure the projected angle is 240º. The cheaper ones are shallower and, the closer to the floor, will cast shadows and have dim / dark areas. There was a member here on GJ that had that experience. There were pictures posted somewhere. Careful placings will help shadow area. But the energy savings are worth it. I changed my house to all LED bulbs and my power bill dropped on average 20%.