Lighting Options Overload

[drag sgt]

I hope this is a simple question and I’ve just absorbed too much information to make a decision. I’m preparing to upgrade the lighting in our garage (20x20; 8.5 ft ceilings) as there are only two bulb fixtures.

Since I do a lot of work in the garage I want to have a total of 80+ fc. I’m pro “buy once cry once” so I don’t mind spending a little extra towards a long-term lighting solution. Here’s what I’m looking for, roughly in order of priority:

• Dimming fixtures (I need bright lights most of the time but it’d be nice to turn them down for routine tasks like laundry).
• Fixtures with end and side knockouts would be nice so I can orient them both parallel and perpendicular and minimize EMT use.
• Low-profile (again low-height garage)
• Serviceable (e.g., fixture with replaceable bulbs over integrated LED strips)

I drafted up the space in one of the free planner tools along with what a combined parallel/perpendicular light setup would look like. I'd like to stretch it more towards the walls but don't want to accidentally make it impossible/difficult to place large items on the highest shelves. That may be the benefit of a narrow, LED strip fixtures over conventional housings.

Playing around in visual-3d with lighting fixtures I always end up between 10-12 lights so I didn't want to be too conservative.

Looking around these Sunco T8 or Lithonia T5 fixture housings are LED bulb ready, but if I want to be able to dim them do I also need to install 0-10v dimming modules in each fixture or can I just use a TRIAC dimming switch like this Sunlite Rocker Dimmer Switch?

 

[Shiftless]

My garage is the same size but no laundry but yes to a 7 foot long workbench instead. The way I set it up was to have one switch controlling flood lights over the workbench and angling down to the shelves I have on the walls. And another switch controlling 9 twin tube 4 foot long LED fixtures lighting up the rest of the garage for general work out there. Most of the time, just the floods are enough to do work or get around in the garage. I light up everything when something major is going on.
Keep it simple. No dimmers No 0-10 volt separate wires.

 

[cybrdyke]

You dont gain any lighting benefit by putting lights perpendicular to each other. You'd achieve the same (or better) results by making them all parallel. You could do 3 rows of 3 with one over your main work bench and it would be plenty. Subtract the depth of your shelving when making your measurements. No sense lighting the top of them.
Use new integrated fixtures if you want to dim. You wont be able to dim with LED tubes. A 4500-5000 lumen 4' strip would be perfect. I recommend using the integrated even if you dont do the dimming. This is a good one--> LBI Max
Good luck,
CD

 

[mm08822]

I would do 3 rows running front - rear - 5, 5, 4.

**** the fixtures end-end.

Much easier installation and more uniform lighting.

Metalux fixtures can be purchased as dimmable and has a lighting FC design program.

ETA:
Use 1 dimmer switch, just check the total lighting load first. 0-10v would be my choice if I had attic access.

 

[pbon]

I have dimmers for the 22 four foot LED lights in my 24x30 with 6x9 bump out and rarely use them. I also have them controlled by 4 switches and think 2 would have been fine.

Simple is good. 3 rows makes sense unless maybe you had a workbench in the front instead of shelves.