Lighting options for a 20x20...need input

[Elite130]

Hey all,

First time posting here. I must say you have an awesome forum here. It's great to see all the useful resources all in one place. You all have given me a lot of great suggestions.

Right now, I need your opinion on what lighting to use in my new garage. It is 20x20 with 12ft high ceilings. The ceiling and walls will be painted white white and the garage floor will soon be sealed in a light grey.

The path I'm thinking about goining right now is installing (2) 8ft long, 2-bulb, T12, High Output, flourescent fixtures on the ceiling. I chose the T12 HO's due to the light output and the fact that they will start in cold weather (I live in Colorado). The fixtures are much more expensive than an equivelant T8, but I'm assuming it is worth it.

So...what do you think about my plan. I want the garage to be very well lit and not have any issues with the lights when it is cold. If any of you have any other options, please let me know.

Thanks for the help!

 

[rsanter]

my dad has the 8' tubes and they are a pain to transport when you need new ones. I used 4' because of that.
I had thought the T8s were better than the T12 HO

bob

 

[fotoflojoe]

Hi and welcome. I'd suggest that you use more than two 8' fixtures. I have an almost identical set up as you; currently, it's an unfinished 20x20 with two eight foot double bulb fixtures - not sure what their "T" ratings are, all I know is that they have cold start ballasts. The problem that I have with my set up as it exists is that the fixtures are not centered on the ceiling, they're mounted a couple feet toward the back of the garage. The result of this is that there's just not enough light at the front of the garage. When I do my makeover, I'm going to change to 4' fixtures for the reason that rsanter suggests - 4' foot bulbs are easier to handle. Also, I'm going to at least triple the amount of fixtures installed. This may not be exactly true, but in my mind, four 4' fixtures roughly equals two 8' fixtures, and I'm going to install twelve 4' fixtures. This may be a little overkill, but I've become sensitive to the fact that my garage is just not quite bright enough for me. Although I'm sure that my 42 year old eyes have something to do with that also.

Hope this helps

 

[Elite130]

Thanks guys for the input. It looks like I jumped the gun a little. I have been doing research for the past month and must have not been paying very close attention. I just ran across the "Flourescent lights in 2-car garage forum" thread and it had a lot of great information. Rocco (I beleive was his name) had a great explaination and drawing of the ideal lighting layout and fixture choices for a 2-car garage. Like Bob said, T12's are on their way out and T8's are the way to go.

So...the new plan is to get (8) 8ft, 2-bulb, fixtures (I'm not worried about transporting 8ft bulbs). There will be 3 rows of 16ft worth of lights and the other two fixtures will be at the back of the garage over the work bench.

I have a buddy that is an electrician that I'm going to see if he can help me do the wiring for all this.

Thanks again for your help! Is there anything else I should consider?

 

[pirate]

I have a 20' x20' foot shop with 10 1/2' foot ceilings. The ceiling is painted with a gloss white with three coats. I stuggled with how many fixtures to install and finally settled on six 4' foot two bulb fixtures without reflectors. I installed twelve T12 high output bulbs. The decision became easier when I was given the fixtures for free by a friend in the constuction business. I have plenty of light in my opinion and my wife thinks it is like daylight in the shop. I think the ceiling paint and fixtures without reflectors makes a lot of difference. I have all six fixtures wired to one switch but if I were to do it over I would probably have the two center fixtures on one switch and the other four on another switch. There are times when I'm out there I just don't need it to be so bright.

 

[Piper]

In general if you want "good light" for working, no shadows, dark spots then from what I've read 1.5 watts per square foot is the number. So, if you've got 400 square feet you need 600 watts. That roughly is 19 T8 34 watt tubes, or 10 4 foot long twin bulb fixtures. (I'm pretty sure the 8 foot bulbs are 68 watts so therefore you'd need 5 fixtures). So, what you have planned should be fine. I'd consider using 2 circuits for this so you could have 1/2 the light if all is not needed.
This 1.5 w/ft-sq is what I'm using in my new 24 x 32 build. The only thing I'd suggest is that you have some task lighting, say over a bench or at the doorway.

Post some pix!

Piper

 

[truckman5000]

a agree with the above statement that i also have the same size garage around24x28 and i have 4- 8'x2 bulb same as you talking about, maybee a t-8 but i dont know, but these aren enough light for working on a car at nite.

The set up i have has 2 switches, and one side can com on at a time. im thinking about doing, and i recommend is maybe something like the same. with more light fixtures so if your working you can have the light you need, if your not and just need light just hit one switch.

 

[GShelton]

In general if you want "good light" for working, no shadows, dark spots then from what I've read 1.5 watts per square foot is the number.

There is a hole in this theory. The amount of light given off from a bulb is measured in Lumens, not watts. Therefore you can have more light with less wattage, or less light with more wattage... depending on the lumens of the bulb. You can use the watts per square foot as a general "feel" but I would not make my decision based on it. You need to determine the foot-candle at working height that you need.

The other problem is, 1.5 watts per square might be good for some, and not as good for others.

Your mileage may vary.