Light my garage...

[sxk122]

I am so confused at the moment. I want to replace the dinky 2 bulb light fixture with a single fluorescent fixture. I want as bright as possible without having to do more wiring than having to undo the old fixture and attaching the wires for the new fixtures. Any suggestions on the what to get from either Lowes (preferable) or Home Depot? I think I want something with a guard around the lights, but open to suggestions. I'm hoping to stay under a $100, but I could be convinced to go over budget on this and just put off something else.




I think this is choice # 1....
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=184346-13537-184346&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=1225811&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1


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Looking at this, but will it work with a regular ceiling?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_163653-337-2GR8-432A-UNV-L8735-_4294896174__?productId=3014954&Ntt=fluorescent&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Fluorescent%2BLighting%2BAccessories_4294896174__s%3FNtt%3Dfluorescent&facetInfo=

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How is this different from the one above? I like the fact it is cheaper.....

http://www.lowes.com/pd_163642-337-2GR8432R_4294856999__?productId=3181891&Ntt=fluorescent&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Utility%2BFluorescent%2BLighting_4294856999__s%3FNtt%3Dfluorescent&facetInfo=

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Here is what I'm working with... The glowing orb in the center of the ceiling, a couple feet behind the garage opener is the existing fixture.....

 

[Speedy Petey]

The first one is definitely your best bet. I like that it is four lamps.
The second two are "lay-in" fixtures designed to lay into a grid ceiling and cannot be used on a hard ceiling.

Be warned, it is NOT a matter of just disconnecting the old and mounting the new to a box. This fixture is 1'x4'. You definitely need to secure it at the ends at minimum. I like to use four anchors at the corners, unless of course I can hit framing in the right spots.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I replaced the two bulb sockets in my ceiling with outlets, and them installed four 2-bulb 48" T8 fixtures from Walmart. Total cost about $70, and very easy to install:

Plenty of light, and easy to do.

Jim

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Go this thread.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118182

Get one of these 8 ft T5HO, install across the garage in place of the existing fixture. Later, add some lighting on either side of the door.

Charles

 

[nmk_61802]

Personnaly, if you are only doing one, I wouldn't even bother with replacing the fixture. With a covered tube fixture you are likely to get worse light patterns than with what you have. The cover will diffuse the light, and tube fixtures gennerally reflect and focus the light down.


Fluorescent are great for the garage, but need to be laid out well to spread the light. I would have a minimum of 4 1X4 (2bulb, $25 ea) fixtures in that space, but I would prefer 6. More bulbs in one space does not equal more light in the area. FYI in a 20x20 space I have 12 fixtures (I like light).

If you can access the space above adding additional fixtures is very simple.

As stated above the two fixtures labeled a troffer are for drop in ceilings and not what you need, the more expensive of the two is for damp locations.

 

[sxk122]

I was looking at the 8' thread.... my only problem with that is I don' themt have an easy way to transport them. As far as instal, I have no issues with hanging the lights, its the wiring I don't want to mess with too much. I want to use the existing box and just wire it up and be done........
Thanks for all the help so far

 

[Steevo]

I was looking at the 8' thread.... my only problem with that is I don' t have an easy way to transport them. . . .

Where's your GJ spirit, man?
Strap that 8' long box to your roll bar in that mighty Miata, and go!

They only weigh about 12#

 

[JimVonBaden]

I was looking at the 8' thread.... my only problem with that is I don' themt have an easy way to transport them. As far as instal, I have no issues with hanging the lights, its the wiring I don't want to mess with too much. I want to use the existing box and just wire it up and be done........
Thanks for all the help so far

Sounds like you should do what I did. To simplify even more get a plug adapter and screw it into the socket. It will handle two 2-bulb 4' fixtures. Definitely get the open kind with reflectors like in my example above.

Jim

 

[sxk122]

We don't need no stinking trunk (because it has the soil in it....)

 

[road]

I replaced the two bulb sockets in my ceiling with outlets, and them installed four 2-bulb 48" T8 fixtures from Walmart. Total cost about $70, and very easy to install:

Plenty of light, and easy to do.

Jim

why do you have a PT cruiser windshield on your wall ?

 

[brslk]

why do you have a PT cruiser windshield on your wall ?

Doesn't everyone?

 

[Speedy Petey]

Personnaly, if you are only doing one, I wouldn't even bother with replacing the fixture. With a covered tube fixture you are likely to get worse light patterns than with what you have. The cover will diffuse the light, and tube fixtures gennerally reflect and focus the light down.


Fluorescent are great for the garage, but need to be laid out well to spread the light. I would have a minimum of 4 1X4 (2bulb, $25 ea) fixtures in that space, but I would prefer 6. More bulbs in one space does not equal more light in the area. FYI in a 20x20 space I have 12 fixtures (I like light).

If you can access the space above adding additional fixtures is very simple.

As stated above the two fixtures labeled a troffer are for drop in ceilings and not what you need, the more expensive of the two is for damp locations.

I completely disagree about the diffusers. Diffusers do their job. They diffuse the light so the pattern is more even. They DO NOT cut down on light. And "tube fixtures" will concentrate the light however they are designed to.

Of course having a new layout of four lights (or more) would be best, but the OP specifically asked about replacing one original light without having to do more wiring.

 

[JimVonBaden]

why do you have a PT cruiser windshield on your wall ?

It is for a Saturn Sky. Since the Saturn is no longer made, and the Sky was a limited run, they are becoming rare. The Sky tends to collect rocks, so when this new one came available at only $100, I scooped it up. So far I haven't needed it. If I never do I can resell it for twice or more what I paid for it.

Jim

 

[sxk122]

nmk, i agree that 1 fixture isn't going to make the garage bright. What I'm shooting for is to be able to read a label on a box with just that fixture on. As ghetto as it may sound, I have a 500w. shop light clamped to the shelves next to my work bench(right of mazda flag in first pic), pointing up. I'ts on a wireless switch, mounted next to the other light switch. The white ceiling is my diffuser, and it works well for me. Added bonus, it also acts as a bug zapper. Combined with the highgloss walls, that provides enough light to do just about anything, and surprisingly shadows at the end of the garage that i work in aren't bad.
Here is a shot at night, to get a better idea. The garage door being up is preventing reflection down over the nose of miata and tail of the 3.
http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/321673_687145034125_44401445_34523949_921192975_n.jpg

If i install the 4 light fixture to start, how hard would it be down the road to add 2 more? Would it be a case of t-ing in at the box for that light and ading 2 new electrical boxes?

 

[sxk122]

better shot... this is with just the single CFL fixture on....

It's no better than a candle.... lol