Lighting is done... it’s BRIGHT

[72Camaro]

Finally got my lights shipped and installed, waited almost 2 months for everything to line up. Went with LED highbay lights, 16,500 lumens, 5,000k. 9 lights in a 30x40 shop, lights are 18 feet in the middle and 13 feet on the sides. 3 rows of 3 with each row on its own switch.

 

[aggie113]

Inspiring, I have a 30x40 with 18' rafters and I've got 8 30,000 lumen 5k high bay lights I plan to install. Plan to split the lights in half on switches and of course dimmers. I imagine it'll be bright enough to do surgery

 

[72Camaro]

That may be painful. If it wasn’t for my dark colored walls it would be hurting my eyes.

 

[vavet]

I call that a good start!

Looks great. You’ll never regret having enough light.

 

[PNWguy]

Congratulations - lighting choices have consumed way too much of my time on my new 30 x 40 x 12.

My plan is simple - listen to PlatonicSolid, install what he recommends and put a dimmer on each group of lights.

 

[72Camaro]

I was wrong on the lumens, they are 21,750 each.

 

[fool on the hill]

This could be helpful. My shop's center ceiling height is 16'. I bought a bunch of high bays based on a recommendation of someone here, and they are pretty good, but your's look even better. My shop is about 120' X 120' and essentially one giant open bay, except where I'm setting up a break/conference room, and my layup room for composites.

 

[Metallitubby]

Looks excellent. Definitely inspiring for those of us with similarly proportioned shops.

 

[72Camaro]

Looks excellent. Definitely inspiring for those of us with similarly proportioned shops.

Honestly, 3 of these is plenty for most people unless doing detailed work

 

[Platonic Solid]

Honestly, 3 of these is plenty for most people unless doing detailed work

Fixture qty. and spacing is just as important as lumen output. 3 fixtures in a 30 x 40 at any output would be a shadow prone mess. 6 fixtures would be an absolute minimum and without reflective walls that wouldn't be enough either.

 

[nadogail]

May you enjoy the good light for many years of good health.

 

[72Camaro]

Fixture qty. and spacing is just as important as lumen output. 3 fixtures in a 30 x 40 at any output would be a shadow prone mess. 6 fixtures would be an absolute minimum and without reflective walls that wouldn't be enough either.

You can see how they were placed. It was done with the idea of not needing workspace lights. With just the three in the middle turned on, I haven’t been able to create a shadow that I couldn’t work with.

 

[Platonic Solid]

You can see how they were placed. It was done with the idea of not needing workspace lights. With just the three in the middle turned on, I haven’t been able to create a shadow that I couldn’t work with.

I assume space is for automotive work, which I would expect to generate shadows towards front and rear of vehicles (depending on placement). Your 18ft mounting height and white ceilings for those 3 lights does help reduce shadows. 3 fixtures = ~42fc AVG @ 30" workplane in an empty room. That's about average office light level.

 

[72Camaro]

I assume space is for automotive work, which I would expect to generate shadows towards front and rear of vehicles (depending on placement). Your 18ft mounting height and white ceilings for those 3 lights does help reduce shadows. 3 fixtures = ~42fc AVG @ 30" workplane in an empty room. That's about average office light level.

I have 9 of those lights in there. The 3 in the middle are at 18ft and the 6 on the sides are at 13 feet.

Yes it’s for automotive work, along with wood and metal projects.

 

[EricVonHa]

How's the price? Were you able to beat $170/ea. ?

 

[72Camaro]

How's the price? Were you able to beat $170/ea. ?

They were $1,400 with tax and shipping, so $155 a piece.

 

[EricVonHa]

They were $1,400 with tax and shipping, so $155 a piece.

That's really awesome. Thanks for the heads up.

Care to share your vendor? I found them on Amazon, but not at the friends and family super low price that you got!

 

[72Camaro]

That's really awesome. Thanks for the heads up.

Care to share your vendor? I found them on Amazon, but not at the friends and family super low price that you got!

I ordered them through Elliots Electric here locally

 

[72Camaro]

I assume space is for automotive work, which I would expect to generate shadows towards front and rear of vehicles (depending on placement). Your 18ft mounting height and white ceilings for those 3 lights does help reduce shadows. 3 fixtures = ~42fc AVG @ 30" workplane in an empty room. That's about average office light level.

I can’t get all 9 in the pic, but this gives you and idea of layout.

With the 9 fixtures and going by your math, I guess I’m around 126fc

 

[Innovate1]

I assume space is for automotive work, which I would expect to generate shadows towards front and rear of vehicles (depending on placement). Your 18ft mounting height and white ceilings for those 3 lights does help reduce shadows. 3 fixtures = ~42fc AVG @ 30" workplane in an empty room. That's about average office light level.

I wasn't planning on dimmers but put lights on several circuits so I can turn some off if I don't need them. Given the 42 fc for average office and that Platonic Solid figured about 60 - 70 fc for my planned fixtures (Thanks!!) I think it will be more than bright enough and if I really need light for a mill or other tool it will likely get dedicated lighting. My thinking is that 70 fc is overkill for most areas, at least for me. I have been working on the building with just the OHD open and no lights and while I could use a bit more light in some places it has been pretty good overall.

Rather than go with dimmers I am thinking of going with high bay 4 tube LED fixtures. Space is 30 x 40 x 14 high. I can always remove some bulbs if it's a little too bright and when they go out I can easily replace the bulbs. I have had a number of name brand LED bulbs go out long before their expected life so replacing fixtures is a concern.