Light Fixture Layout Collections

[revamped]

Awesome, so you should specifically ask for layout and calculations in a few of the lighting layout threads. The pros that offer a lot of help in there will want to know what luminaire you have chosen first. You have low ceilings so it should probably just be strip LED flush mounted and arranged to reduce dark spots and scallops on the walls.

You sound like you may even be ready to save cash by slamming in boxes and running your own power. It's very easy.
If you want dimming, that takes more work and is generally not worth it with low ceilings.
Basic wiring explanations on YouTube will help with switching and wire runs.
Remember the doors will open and interfere with light. So plan around them as well.
Ask specific questions and you'll get specific answers!
Good luck!

 

[Platonic Solid]

Jonny K - Can't help with specific fixture selection since you're in Canada, but take a look at smalltowns thread (link). Some of the posts are a bit dated, (and I'll bet he's still procrastinating) but there are a couple similar layouts there.

Edit: This thread may help too: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387332

 

[Jonny K]

Thanks revamped. Funny thing, I never thought of running my own electrical as I'm usually cautious about stuff like that, but I have done simple electrical work before. It now occurs to me that this garage electrical will probably be simple too, so perhaps I can do it myself.

Thanks Platonic Solid, I'll investigate the links you provided.

 

[Jonny K]

Can anyone tell me where to find the catalog files that feed into Dialux? I'm trying to model my garage using the program but I'm unable to find literally any catalogs for lighting I can buy, they only seem to have a selection of high end corporate stuff. I can't find "Luminus", or "Hyperikon", or "GLLUSA", or anything. Where do I get those?

Thanks.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Jonny K - First step is to contact the manufacturer or distributor and ask for IES files. If that doesn't pan out, search for available IES files for similar products. You have the ability in Dialux to tweak the fixture lamp output to match your chosen product. I believe many of the GLLUSA products are relabeled James Industry. James Industry has IES files on their website. Keep in mind that manufacturers don't constantly generate new IES files every time a new/better LED comes out - so tweaking the lumen output is common practice.

 

[smalltown]

Hey Platonic I resemble that remark
After 4 visits to the surgical unit I am back on solid ground.
So far I have received, and tested 12 of the 2x4 flat panels, but am waiting on the surface mounts. Testing them on the bench they are quite bright, and evenly lit.
The quality so far has been very good, but Light/Up is hard to get ahold of. I suspect they are undermanned when it comes to customer service.
The prices are very good if you are patient.


Any day now I will post my pictures. Promise !

 

[smalltown]

Well it has taken me a while get the first light installed , but it's up and working. I will say when I turned on this single fixture I was pleasantly surrprised.

Should go faster now that I have the conduit bugs worked out. It's a very hot in the attic running conduit. My head managed to find a longer than normal nail the roofers had used. Ouch.
Or as my father was fond of saying "get your fat head out of the way" Miss you Dad!

I wanted to show the difference with the light off then on, but the camera auto features will not show that. Even in this photo the light is so bright that my camera has darkened all the other area in the photo.
Later when the sun goes I'll try an on/off photo.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Congratulations smalltown - Progress and commitment! I see the fixture is rotated 90° from your prior layout. Please update your 2015 thread as you progress.

 

[smalltown]

Yes I rotated the fixture. Once I realized that otherwise I would not have enough room to slide the flat panel in or out.

 

[pbon]

After reading Platonic Solid's many helpful posts and studying his recommended lighting diagrams and lighting suggestions, I am about to order 20 flat panel LED 1x4 for surface mounting in my 23 x 28 garage (with 9.5' ceilings except for a 9x19 area that is raised to 13' so a 4 post lift can go up with a car on it). There are a few other complexities like a beam running across half the ceiling, a stairway coming down along one wall, and two 13' sections of 7' tall and 2' deep cabinets. There will also be a 4x18 bump out on one side with an 8' ceiling, but I may just put a row of LED can retrofits down the middle of it.

Would like 5000k and 5000 lumens, but price may mean I get only 4000 lumens. Shopping around. Probably something like this:

https://www.lightup.com/1ft-x-4ft-flat-panel-led-40-watt-dimmable-5000-lumens-lumegen.html

And I think that rather than mess around trying to make frames, I would buy ones that fit like this:

https://www.lightup.com/lumegen-1x4panel-surface-mount.html

For about $66 each, light plus frame. I wish there was a similarly priced 1x4 that did not require the frame, but the ones that exist, the slim edge lit, cost about twice as much. Commercial Electric at Lowes, for example.

I have checked the lighting sources in Post #1 of Platonic's thread and the above is about as good as I can find.

 

[Platonic Solid]

pbon - The 2x2 flat panel at $40 (link) with $20 surface mounting frame provides same lumen output at slightly lower cost.

Just to put it out there if standard 4ft strips are undesirable, linear wraps like this one might be worth considering.

 

[pbon]

Thanks! I am trying to reduce the extension of the garage doors into the garage even by a few inches so they don’t interfere with a car on my lift, which means raising the doors higher and closer to the ceiling (so the bottom panel remains bent and downwards). And that means 2.5 inch light fixture height will work where 3.5 will not. Need to confirm with garage door person. I will look at those 2x2 in the meantime.

 

[socapots]

Platonic.
i have searched a lot of lighting topics for something similar to what i am building. I must say thank you for all the help you have provided myself and others.

I am building a 32X50 with 12' walls. The space will eventually be used for storage of yard equipment, daily drivers, working on cars as well as an entertainments space.
Inside would be clad in PVC or metal, white in color.

I would think that my space only being 32 wide would be too narrow for the exact layout below.
Would you have a chance to suggest a layout and possibly some LED lights to go along with them.. As with most people budget is a factor. I am doing the wiring myself so a little more work to save on cost is doable.

Thanks again for all the advice you have supplied.
Andrew

Joe Cool - Here's my recommendation for your layout:

(Image linked to larger image)


Here's the Dialux Isoplot PDF (linked)

I left your fixtures at your preferred 1ft from the side walls as requested. 36' is a bit tight for 3 bays.

 

[Platonic Solid]

socapots - The layout you referenced has 3 bays on the short 35' wall. How many and where are your bays located?

 

[socapots]

Sorry about that.
I knew i would miss something.
The bays would be i the same direction. there is one 16X8 high-lift door on the 32' side. It is approximately 4 feet from what would be the 32' mark on the drawing above.
the 3rd bay which would be around the 0 mark on the 32' side would be more of a sitting area than an actual working bay. Maybe long term storage closer to the 50' mark.

i hope i didn't confuse the **** out of it now.

Thanks
Andrew

 

[Platonic Solid]

socapots - You'll have to post a drawing - cause yeah, that made no sense to me.

 

[socapots]

Lol. Ok. Ill see what i can come up with.

Edit: do you have any preferred drawing type? I have no experience making layout drawings other than hand drawn. But i am willing to put it in a format that would make it easier for you.

 

[Platonic Solid]

I don't have time for a full blown layout, just rough recommendation - so whatever works for you. That said, what is most convenient for me is a DWG or DXF CAD file - usually available from your architect if this is a new build.

 

[socapots]

Well. First time in a very long time i have used Autocad... i hope this is usable for its purpose.
the pdf is just for others to see..
Not really 3 full bays. More like 2 with a sitting/working area.
garage doors in blue, benches in green, imaginary confines of sitting area in white.

i zipped the DWG file. let me know when you can if that didnt work out.

Thanks again for any suggestions.
Came across some light fixtures on our local buy and sell i may post in another topic for opinions from people..

 

[Platonic Solid]

socapots - Since your space is multi-functional, I'd stick with dimmable fixtures so you can tune accordingly.
You need Qty.20 4x5 pattern 8000 lumen spherical distribution fixtures.
Something like this:
https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/ZY-ST8FT68-p/zy-st8ft68.htm
or this
https://www.lightup.com/premium-2ft-x-4ft-flat-panel-led-60-watt-dimmable-7800-lumens-lumegen.html

 

[socapots]

Thank you sir.
I would assume this is 4 rows of 5 down the 50ft length equally spaced?
And what is ment by 4x5 pattern?
Thanks again

 

[Platonic Solid]

socapots, Here you go:

socapots-1.pdf 8ft wrap fixture

socapots-2.pdf 2x4 LED flat panel

 

[socapots]

Haha. I think I get it. 4x5. Lol. 4 rows of 5. Lol i only figured that when I reread my post. Lol. Edit: thanks again man.

 

[Wpauley]

Platonic, what is a general spacing set up for a pole barn. I run 4 switches, each on its own 20 amp breaker and now planning on putting switched outlets in shop area and simple bulb outlets on every truss front to back and spaced side to side using a complete piece of 10 foot conduit. The Building is 48 wide and 80 deep with 12 foot ceilings. was going to use LED floods for general cold storage area light and Have purchased several 48 inch LED 4 bulb fixtures from Menards for shop area. Right now I have a strip of Menards Yellow temp light string right down the middle and using the bulbs I plan to use and at night just the one strip down the middle seems to me to be a lot of light. Any thoughts/Suggestions?

 

[Platonic Solid]

Wpauley - 48x80x12 That's a big space. Lights always appear brighter if you're standing in the shadows (basic pupil dilation). Don't look at the light, look at objects and consider the tasks performed on/to those objects in that area.

Try the Visual Photometric Tool (link) to help determine fixture spacing. For cold storage area change "Illuminance Criteria" to 20fc.

 

[HellaFab]

Is there such thing as too much light if its dimmable?

I have one of these lights to test and I like the color and output... now to get more to position them prior to closing the ceiling so I don't have to climb around in there to pull wires.

Light:
https://cdn2.nedco.ca/medias/sys_Ne...13203783710/COO01-IDW-5X-142706-SLSTP-SSS.pdf
"Metalux LED 4SLSTP4040DD"

4 foot long fixture...
4000K
80CRI (min)
4400Lumens
21watts.


Im thinking of using this as a layout for 10 of these units based on what I was seeing for coverage with my bench and tools. (attached layout) Am I on the right track, or am I going to blow it away with this many lights?


roughly...19"6" x 20'6" at 10' ceiling.

 

[Platonic Solid]

HellaFab - You're nowhere near too much light. I'll take a closer look later. No need to use dimming.

 

[HellaFab]

HellaFab - You're nowhere near too much light. I'll take a closer look later. No need to use dimming.

If you don't mind, that would be appreciated.
here is the link to the manufacturer and they have all of the data.

I think this amount of fixtures is about the cap for my budget, but I can play with the placements a bit. if there are huge gains with another fixture or two, I might have to bite the bullet though.

From what I have done in the shop so far I prefer the lights on either side of the stairs to be relatively close to the wall. My shop is setup with the bench along that and when im looking down to weld, I get a reflection off the lens back into my eyes if its directly above me.


Here is the garage layout for you to peek at.

 

[Platonic Solid]

here is the link to the manufacturer and they have all of the data.

Did you forget the link?

 

[HellaFab]

Did you forget the link?

Yes I must have. Here it is.

http://www.cooperindustries.com/con...essed_linear_lighting/strips/_867561.ssd.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Platonic Solid]

Did you notice that the specification pdf you linked to and the one on their website are different? here (link)

Quick calculations with evenly spaced fixtures:
Qty.9 4SLSTP4040DD fixtures = 60fc @ 30" workplane
Qty.12 = 79fc
Qty.16 = 105fc

I would go with a higher output option like the 4SLSTP5540DD-UNV, 4000K, 5845 Lm, 49W.
(Note - the Wattage for the fixture you previously posted should be 40W not 21W.)

If price is an issue, here's another wrap you might want to consider ZY-ST4FT40, 4000K or 5000K, 5400 Lm, 40W, $42 ea. (link)

Qty. 12 5400 Lm fixtures = 96fc

 

[Platonic Solid]

HellaFab - It would be easier if you can give me your cad files in dwg or dxf.

 

[HellaFab]

I cant seem to get the CAD file compressed enough to load directly to this site via ZIP attachment.

can you send me an email to [email protected] and I will send it to you?

that site you linked to for the higher lumen lights didn't seem to want to ship to Canada. I will try to figure it out.

I will have to read through the lighting guide again to see what the ideal Fc number is. I recall that the desirable Fc for a working shop is close to 100.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Sorry, I forgot you were in Canada. Recommended 93fc @ 30" workplane.

 

[HellaFab]

That's ok. It happens.... our lighting (and generally most things) are quite a bit more expensive... more than just the exchange.

I've sent you the CAD files in email. I expect to add some wall-mounted storage at some point but not certain what that will be yet.

 

[Platonic Solid]

HellaFab - Here you go. 3 identical layouts using different lumen output Maxlite fixtures. The numbers at the end of each file indicate individual fixture lumen output as provided by their IES file. Your space is rather small for a 10ft ceiling height, thus a narrower beam spread might work better. Of these 3 I like the 4759 best.

HellaFab-4472.pdf
HellaFab-4759.pdf
HellaFab-5844.pdf

 

[HellaFab]

Thanks so much platonic. I went by the supply house yesterday and the higher lumen fixtures aren't a stocked product and would have a minimum purchase of more fixtures than I would ever need.

We have exceeded what I thought I would need but I have the fixtures to get in place with your data for the 4472 lumen fixtures. I picked up enough fixtures to get going with this plan which blew the budget but im not interested in crawling in the attic to add more lights later.

I will supplement with task specific lighting if its not sufficient.

 

[Platonic Solid]

With an evenly distributed 80fc @ workplane you won't need task lighting anywhere unless you're dealing with very small components and/or have really poor visual acuity.

 

[HellaFab]

I am thinking more along the lines of when I get overhead cabinets in place throwing shade on some areas. if I have very little storage or equipment, I agree.

 

[bottom feeder]

Platonic,

I'd appreciate your opinion on my proposed lighting layout for my newly-built garage. I've attached a PDF and a zipped AutoCAD DWG file. The garage is 27' square (inside dimension). It will be drywalled and painted white. Half of the garage has standard trusses, making a flat ceiling at 11' above the concrete floor. The other half are vaulted trusses that slope at an approx. ratio of 1.5 to 12, so the ceiling slopes from 11' to approx. 12'-6".

The garage is set up so that I can pull a vehicle in. However, the garage will be used as a workshop and not for daily parking (I have a separate garage attached to my house for that). The vaulted side of the garage may have a two post lift added sometime in the future, essentially centered in the vaulted side.

I've tentatively laid out the proposed lighting using 4' two-bulb fixtures. Presumably LED at 4000K, although I'm willing to consider florescent. I don't know if my pattern is the best choice for the space. I'm also wondering if I should use four-bulb fixtures and use fewer of them.

Thank you for any assistance.