Lighting a basement workshop

[Ryland]

I need to finalize the lighting plan for my basement which is 16x28 and is going to have a long workbench along one wall. I was thinking of using a few of the 4ft Lithonia T8 strips that were posted in another thread. Would four of them with two above the workbench, and two in the center be too much? the ceilings are only about 7.5 ft.

 

[Ryland]

If I did the Lithonia calculations correct I need 2 rows of 3 of these lights to entirely light that space. Im not sure I need to go that nuts since or realistically want lights behind me so that I would cast a shadow onto my workbench.

 

[70redbee]

Put them on 3 different switches,so you can turn on only what you want. You can never have too much light.

 

[rodnok1]

The two above the workbench are not going to provide general lighting for the overall space. If anything you will need more fixtures in the open area, With the general lighting far enough behind you and placed properly the work bench lights will be stronger at the bench and not create too much shadow. Another option is to lower the work bench lights down to concentrate the light. If anything lower ceiling require more fixtures with lower watts than higher ceilings, they just don't cast light in as broad a pattern. I agree with the other comments on switching them independently(groups at least).

 

[BioHazard]

Would four of them with two above the workbench, and two in the center be too much?

That's like saying too much money, or too much ***....

You don't need to worry much about shadows with T8s. If you have a strip above your workbench there won't be any shadows.

 

[Ryland]

Ok, that sounds reasonable. I currently have one switch in place which I will use to turn on a few of the main lights and will install another switch for the bench lights. I don't need the entire space lit up since there is also the oil tank and boiler using up space.

 

[Ryland]

I just went to figure out placement of the first of the Lithonia 4' light and found that the precut mounting holes don't align with my beams. Can I drill through the housing of the light to make new mounting holes?

 

[Torque1st]

I usually mount mine up between the floor joists and paint the area white to reflect more light. Sometimes it takes a few more fixtures to cover an area that way but it gets the lights up out of harm's way.

I have drilled holes to mount fixtures. I have no idea whether it is allowed by code.

 

[Norcal]

There is no issue with field drilled holes for mounting, its done all the time.

 

[Ryland]

The lights themselves should be well out of the way and probably wouldn't fit between the joists anyway. Cool, guess I will need to mark and drill.