Lighting for 2 bay shop

[vizmark]

I've run into a couple of craiglist deals on some light fixtures and was hoping to get some feedback on them.

First deal....8' long T8 fixtures with 6 bulbs for $40. I planned on using 10 in a 25' x 32' bay with 9' ceilings. All walls will be sheet rocked and painted white. Are these fixtures with 6 bulbs and no defusers too much light? Shop will be used for wrench turning.

Second deal....RUUD HID 400 watt high bay lighting to be used in a adjoining bay that is 20' x 35' with 18' ceilings. This bay will also be sheet rocked and painted white. A site with similar lights calls for only 2 total lights to be used. This bay will be used for wrench turning and future lift. These lights are free and I can get 10 of them. Is 2 enough?

A picture of a similar shop. Mine will be done around Thanksgiving.

 

[rburke65]

I don't think the average garage owner has "too much light". What's too much for you is not enough for me. I'm thinking the price isn't too bad and the 6 would be a good start. Personally I don't think the 400 watt HId is your best solution for lighting.

 

[cybrdyke]

Pass on the 400's.
On the 6 lamp fixtures...how are they arranged? are they 2 rows of 3, end to end?
Can you get a part number off of one of the ballasts?
CD

 

[Jess]

I have 4 400w Hi Bay HID lights in my 1200 sq ft, 16 ft ceiling shop. Painted off white and I wouldn't want it any brighter. I got mine for $30 CDN a few years ago and still can't justify the cost to replace them with anything else. I would think that 2 fixtures of this type would be lots of light for one bay but 4 that you could switch as needed would be like the sun. Mine hang on eye hooks and reflect a lot of light off the ceiling, which really reduces shadowing. I often run only 2 as the windows let in some sunshine during the day.

 

[Norcal]

For free I would use them MH is a nice white light, downside is the warmup time, & long restrike time after a power failure.