lighting for 24x24

[that-guy]

in the process of finishing my 24x24 with all new electrical, insulation, and OSB walls. last thing i need are ceiling fixtures. i am already set on 4' two bulb T8 fixtures as i already have a few hundred bulbs that were given to me. i am getting mixed answers on Google about how many lumens per sqft, and am picky in the sense that i want them evenly spaced out as i am a bit of a perfectionist and a little on the OCD side and would rather not put some up and realize i have too much or not enough...the one equation i found said 70 lumens per sqft which would be just over 15 fixtures, and i feel that is too many???

also, every equation i saw for figuring out how many fixtures, none of them took into account ceiling height, which is only 8' in my garage. in my eyes i feel that the ceiling height matters since there will be loss of light the further the light has to travel to the floor...i'll have white walls and ceiling, and possibly a stained/dyed concrete floor, something light in color

any possible pictures anyone has of their 24x24 with lighting i would really appreciate it.

 

[matt_i]

I would think 3 rows of 4 fixtures would be a lot of light.

24 bulbs x 32w = 6.4A, should be fine for the circuit.

 

[that-guy]

I would think 3 rows of 4 fixtures would be a lot of light.

24 bulbs x 32w = 6.4A, should be fine for the circuit.

i already have my box setup for 15amp for the breaker just for lighting, so i know i am fine there for more than enough bulbs...i also had the same thought about using 12 fixtures, but would really like to see how it will look first

 

[Abeo]

Here is my 26x24, I have 20 4 ft t8 fixtures with 8 foot ceilings

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6060709&postcount=3

 

[cybrdyke]

in the process of finishing my 24x24 with all new electrical, insulation, and OSB walls. last thing i need are ceiling fixtures. i am already set on 4' two bulb T8 fixtures as i already have a few hundred bulbs that were given to me. i am getting mixed answers on Google about how many lumens per sqft, and am picky in the sense that i want them evenly spaced out as i am a bit of a perfectionist and a little on the OCD side and would rather not put some up and realize i have too much or not enough...the one equation i found said 70 lumens per sqft which would be just over 15 fixtures, and i feel that is too many???

also, every equation i saw for figuring out how many fixtures, none of them took into account ceiling height, which is only 8' in my garage. in my eyes i feel that the ceiling height matters since there will be loss of light the further the light has to travel to the floor...i'll have white walls and ceiling, and possibly a stained/dyed concrete floor, something light in color

any possible pictures anyone has of their 24x24 with lighting i would really appreciate it.

Your common sense is better than any of the research you've done. There is no such thing as lumens per square foot when it comes to lighting and anyone that tells you that there is is a *****. The reason is exactly as you have figured out for yourself....ceiling height.
I have a 24 x 24, and I'm using 6 LED strips, with some task lighting over benches.
You'll be fine with 9 fixtures in 3 rows of 3, but if you want to make it a little brighter, go for 12. If you got the lamps for free, and if they're used, they may only be about 85% as bright as new.
Optionally, you could just swap the T8 lamps for LED lamps without any re-wiring. Those lamps will be 17w, so you'll save 50% energy and get longer life.
Good luck,
CD