lighting in garage
- Thread starter betcd
- Start date
atotalnincompoop
Well-known member
few things frustrate me as much as poor lighting!
spend a few extra bucks and build a system you can take with you when you move. a power bar, plugged into the house will give you some plugs and a flourescent fiture or two wired in series should give you enough light
spend a few extra bucks and build a system you can take with you when you move. a power bar, plugged into the house will give you some plugs and a flourescent fiture or two wired in series should give you enough light
MadMechMaster
Well-known member
You can hang standard shop lights with two screws.
You can get a lot of light for cheap using those clamp on lights with aluminum reflectors. Add a 200 watt equivalent CFL and clamp it to a rafter.
You can get a lot of light for cheap using those clamp on lights with aluminum reflectors. Add a 200 watt equivalent CFL and clamp it to a rafter.
K'ledgeBldr
Well-known member
It may not cost you a dime!
The first thing I would do is figure what is the bare minimum I need to operate efficiently. Draw it up, price out the materials, your labor and present it to your LL. All cost comes back out of the rent.
Generally, most LL are receptive to these type upgrades because they add real value to the property. The only drawback I see in this scenario- the LL may want a licensed electrician to do the work.
The first thing I would do is figure what is the bare minimum I need to operate efficiently. Draw it up, price out the materials, your labor and present it to your LL. All cost comes back out of the rent.
Generally, most LL are receptive to these type upgrades because they add real value to the property. The only drawback I see in this scenario- the LL may want a licensed electrician to do the work.
Zeke
Well-known member
If you buy 4' fixtures, some hooks and some light chain, it all comes down in minutes. Install pigtail cords long enough to connect to a switched box. Most of the time it is OK to run romex above 8' and along rafters, not on top. Coming down the wall it must be protected or in conduit. You can wire up the place in a few hours.
Just bear in mind that you probably have only one circuit to the garage for a light and maybe an opener. If absolutely no power out there, you will have to do a home run back to the panel. It's not a good idea to tap into the closest circuit except for bare minimum lighting.
Post over on the Electrical forum for more info.
Just bear in mind that you probably have only one circuit to the garage for a light and maybe an opener. If absolutely no power out there, you will have to do a home run back to the panel. It's not a good idea to tap into the closest circuit except for bare minimum lighting.
Post over on the Electrical forum for more info.
Macgyver_ga
Well-known member
When I was renting my last place, I had (4) 4' fluorescent shop lights hanging on chains, then extension cords running to a power strip plugged into the wall. I used the power strip to turn them on and off. When I moved I brought the lights with me and hardwired them into my new house.
Macgyver_ga
Well-known member
I never really checked on mine to be honest, but I used them on mine for 2 years when I was renting, and I'm going on 4.5 years having them hardwired at my new place that I own. Mine are the $15 Lithonia lighting 4' fluorescents.
Zeke
Well-known member
How could that be? Use a Romex connector at a knockout and hardwire to the leads inside. Technically, you're not supposed to go over 6', but that allows lights to be up to almost 12' apart which is quite a bit.
Cyberbear
Well-known member
Also remember that 100 candle power is the recommended minimum for detail work in a garage or shop. Most people approaching 50 years of age will begin to require more light to avoid eye fatigue when working for extended periods of time. Amazing what you can discover on the Net.
laser3kw
Well-known member
All the "hanging" 4ft fixtures I saw have a "pig tail" plug on them. All the fixtures that are intended for surface mount or Troffer style had knockouts for hard wiring.