Lighting recommendations for my shop?

[swyman]

I am looking to upgrade my shop lighting and am very confused about what is the best route/fixtures to go? My shop is 50'x100'x16' and currently has 48 8' 2 bulb T12 fixtures. There are 4 rows that run the length of the building. The building/fixtures was built in 1974 so I am in desperate need of a lighting upgrade. I am constantly having to replace ballasts and is just not a quick/easy task. I see they have these new LED high bay fixtures that are 2' square and 11,000 lumens that home depot sells, just wondering if this would be a good alternative. I use this shop for welding/fabrication/machining so I want good lighting. Being in MI it gets cold and I'm not in there everyday so I do not keep it heated 24/7 so cold start is a must. Also, I have a overhead crane so clearance is a issue also, I currently have 2" clearance from trolley conduit to light bulb and light fixtures are mounted directly to ceiling steel. I have attached a pic of my shop so you can get a idea of what I have to work with. Lights are not on in pic but can see 3 of the 4 rows of lights. Feel free to ask more questions if I need to provide more information.
Thank you, Shane

 

[swyman]

Here is another pic with front half of lights on. You can see I have to replace a bunch of ballasts now plus some of the bulb holders are broke so that is another reason I would just like to start replacing fixtures unless you think what I have is good?

 

[peterhall]

I installed a few of these bulbs in fixtures with bad ballasts. You bypass the ballasts and wire directly to the bulb. Beats installing a new ballast or fixture. They also came with new bulb holders and middle retaining clips to prevent sag.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SUMEJRA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[swyman]

I installed a few of these bulbs in fixtures with bad ballasts. You bypass the ballasts and wire directly to the bulb. Beats installing a new ballast or fixture. They also came with new bulb holders and middle retaining clips to prevent sag.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SUMEJRA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

WOW! Thanks for the post Pete! This looks like a no brainer option and the reviews are all excellent! Seems like a very simple and cost effective solution.

 

[sberry]

That looks like a shop. Hang some fixtures lower over your tools . One whole row or couple zones over the shop equipment about 4 ft lower. You might outrig them from the wall? That is quite the crane rail. You might be able to add some overhead storage for cheap.
Putting air comps out of the way aint for everyone but some racks could work there.

 

[skipnay]

Here I found these the other day. Someone else has used these I think.

https://www.eledlights.com/t8-8foot-led-tube-high-lumen-r17d.html#.WHA0FKFVK1F

They are 6600 lumens a piece over the 3800 you posted!!!

 

[300magnum]

i just got these and love them. so far it look like everyone that is trying them love them and you cant beat the price at all. i have 80 bulbs in my shop and i think it is brighter than the sun in there. and i have no shadows when i work or move around. here is a link on what i used. 3000 lumens each. this gave me 6000 lumens per light fixture. my shop is 35x55 with 14 ft ceilings and i have 40 light or 80 bulbs. and like i said i could not be happier
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LP7CB4Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Radix2]

How bright are you looking to make it? Storage bright or detailed work bright?

Use the lithonia planning tool to get an idea of what it takes.

For the size of that building, even if they are all working, what you have is ok for storage, but not too good for work without some task lights.

Maybe do part if the floor plan with really nice bright working level light and the rest with ok for storing parking stuff light.

As an example, I get about 100fc with 12 of the James 165w led high bays (20,000 lumens) over a 40x50x16 space

 

[magnum72576]

On a side note, I just changed out a 4 bulb overhead light to the led 4' bulbs in my. I found it to be a pain because I had to take each tombstone apart and make it non-shunted. I haven't seen any mention of this but it was not a 5 minute job.
Tony

 

[swyman]

Putting air comps out of the way aint for everyone but some racks could work there.

My air compressor is mounted up towards the top of the crane rail about 7' off the floor. Never thought about hanging lower fixtures.....I could make a swinging bracket because I can't lose crane access over the weld table. That will be a down the road project. My biggest concern right now is fixing all the light fixtures so they work or add new or different style fixtures. So far I really can't see a better bang for buck than getting those 8' LED bulbs to replace the t12's

 

[swyman]

How bright are you looking to make it? Storage bright or detailed work bright?

Use the lithonia planning tool to get an idea of what it takes.

For the size of that building, even if they are all working, what you have is ok for storage, but not too good for work without some task lights.

Maybe do part if the floor plan with really nice bright working level light and the rest with ok for storing parking stuff light.

As an example, I get about 100fc with 12 of the James 165w led high bays (20,000 lumens) over a 40x50x16 space

What would you think if I replaced all my t12's with the led conversion bulbs and then added a couple of fixtures like your example over my critical work area? Oh and thanks for the lighting calculator, didn't know they had that!

 

[sberry]

The booms don't need to be fancy. Most of these are early pics.

 

[swyman]

Just an update.... I decided to purchase the Hyperikon 8' LED 5k tubes from amazon. So far I have replaced half of the 96 bulbs and it is amazing! I actually have a shadow under my weld table! Can't wait to get them all done!