Lighting Question

[Fortunateson]

I have a 28x30 shop with the main work area 28x20. I'm upgrading from T12 to T8 fluorescent lights. I plan on either 6 or 8 fixtures. Will the T8's come on better in colder temps? Should I run the fixtures length wise or side to side for the best coverage? The fixtures are three years old and I'm getting ten for free.

 

[texasprd]

I think it depends on what you plan to do. If you plan to do vehicle work, you may want to run some lengthwise (parallel to vehicle(s)) and maybe one or two across each end (or at least across the front). If you're doing something else, a different layout may be more appropriate.

 

[xyster101]

T8's will come on better in the cold, but still not great. You really need T5's for instant on in cold temps.
Even better are LED as they don't really care about the cold. Run the lights parallel to the vehicles but not directly over the cars. Try to keep the lights off to the side of each so you don't get shadows when you are working.

 

[Fortunateson]

Both responses are what I'm considering. T5's I presume need a different ballast?

 

[A29]

Converted my t8s to led

 

[kbs2244]

Free is good.

Install them so they are between any car lanes.
So they shine on the right and left sides.

Flip the switch when you come in and they will be warm enough to shine by the time you get ready to work.

My free T12s take less than 30 seconds to full brightness on a 30 degree day.

 

[Fortunateson]

Free is good.

Install them so they are between any car lanes.
So they shine on the right and left sides.

Flip the switch when you come in and they will be warm enough to shine by the time you get ready to work.

My free T12s take less than 30 seconds to full brightness on a 30 degree day.

That's basically the plan as before with the T12's but wanted to get any other ideas. For a 28' run I'll decide on three or four fixtures. I picked up ten free today and I suppose I could get a couple of extra later. I'll probably reserve two for the storage side of the shop but could use three or four there as it is approx. 28'x10'. I'm really hoping that these T8's will come on promptly when it gets chilly say around 40*. If I get around to it I hope to finally connect my infrared heater this fall as well!

 

[landlord30]

As cheap as led shop lights are now, I would not bother with fluro anymore.

 

[Jeff May]

Converted my entire shop from the old T12s to LEDs backin the early spring.
Love the LEDs.....
Nice & bright and no danged humming or flickering.....
Best thing I ever did for my shop...

 

[Fortunateson]

Well I would like to do the LED thing but no matter the reduced price free is free!

 

[Bert_]

T8's will come on better in the cold, but still not great. You really need T5's for instant on in cold temps.

T5's aren't that great in cold weather unless it's a totally enclosed fixture. They need to run hotter to reach max brightness.

Pretty much anything will be fine at 40* as long as your not using the energy saver/watt miser lamps.

 

[pbon]

My old HD LED shop lights would turn on immediately in 0F. Bought about 5 years ago. Hope my newer ones go on as quick (I moved).

 

[fourjeepin]

If the free T8s come with bulbs and you need to save your pennies, then great. If not, I would convert them to LED now. If you can’t do it now, convert them as the bulbs/ballast go out.

I converted my T8s last month after losing a second (of 4 original). I figured the other two would also go out soon. I am so glad I did as the LEDs are much brighter and almost half the power.