Lighting the shop

[jtbinvalrico]

I'm going to install some 4' T8 fixtures in the garage/shop. It's the standard two-car garage with the standard single fixture in the middle of the ceiling.

I've got plenty of room on my shop subpanel to add a dedicated light circuit.

Here's my question: What's the best pattern or configuration? I was thinking of using four of these two-bulb 4' T8 fixtures spaced evenly on the ceiling. The home depot guy recommended "daylight" bulbs, which they sell in a box of ten for $25. I use the entire garage for woodworking, fabrication, etc. Should I do six fixtures instead?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[kb2tha]

I would probably go with more than 4. I am just now installing 8 in an area 18' x 28'. Have not powered it up yet.

One great idea I got from this site was to wire them on two separate switches. Can still be on one circuit. I have mine wired 3 on one switch and 5 on the other, thus giving me three level lighting options.
Ken

 

[Boyd Who]

The more light, the better! I have 9 of those lights spaced evenly in 3 rows in my 20x22 shop, plus an additional 2 of them hanging over my workbench. The workbench lights are on a separate switch, and the group of 9 are on 2 switches for the 6 on the sides or the row in the center.

 

[E.Marquez]

If your garage can not be seen from space, you do not have enough lights.

In my 21x22 garage I have two rows of three twin T8 4ft fixtures evenly spaced front to back and side to side. The six "main" fixtures are the general lighting on one switch.

Then three more along the far side of the shop that has the drill press, mil, lathe and press along that wall. on a separate switch.

And two over the top (off set left and right) of the motorcycle lift that re on the "main" switch but have secondary chain pull switches if I want to shut them off.

 

[dangle]

Like has been said, I'd at least go for 6 fixtures. It depends though, what wattage are the fixtures and/or bulbs? How high is the ceiling?

Whatever you do, it'll be better than the existing single fixture!

 

[jtbinvalrico]

......standard height....8', I think. Looking at it, I am inclined to seven or eight. It also makes sense to position them so I'm not casting a shadow on my work......Good idea too on dividing up the switching in case I don't need all of them on at once.

 

[willysrule]

Don’t cheap out on the fixtures themselves...you will regret it if you do...
Ballast quality has a huge amount to do with bulb life, brightness and the efficiency of the light…this is one place you really get what you pay for…

My basement and garage had cheap-o 4’ T8 fixtures thru out when we moved in…it seemed like I was constantly changing bulbs…I changed all the fixtures out to US made fixtures and have noticed a HUGE difference is brightness and bulb life…

 

[E.Marquez]

Don’t cheap out on the fixtures themselves...you will regret it if you do...
Ballast quality has a huge amount to do with bulb life, brightness and the efficiency of the light…this is one place you really get what you pay for…

My basement and garage had cheap-o 4’ T8 fixtures thru out when we moved in…it seemed like I was constantly changing bulbs…I changed all the fixtures out to US made fixtures and have noticed a HUGE difference is brightness and bulb life…

Totally agree, I cheeped out just to get the garage in our new house up and running quickly when I was home on leave

It was a required choice, I knew I would regret. So now I buy a new light fixture when time and money allows and just replace the cheap ones... I'm out $10 a light... but in a year I have all new lights

 

[pineapple power]

I just wired lights for my 20x24 garage with 9 lights. Three in a row along the back side for work benches and 3 rows of 2 fixtures parallel with the cars. Lot brighter than just the 2 lights when i moved in but its still dark. Another thing to that i noticed is that it really helps to have walls up that are painted white. My garage is unfinished and it seems the walls just **** up any extra light.

 

[suboptimalfit]

+1 on painting! I had plans of just "doing something" with the ceiling/rafters after i painted the walls, what a difference! (the walls went light grey the 12' peaked roof area went white).
The lighting was poor as I just started "improving" the garage. (a pair of 4'ers, 1 with only a single bulb.)
A cave at best, after the paint on the rafters- you can actually see stuff...
I was told high gloss was the way to go- i found some used "landlord white" semi for cheap and went for it. Results will impress you.

 

[fr0mastaj]

I would recommend getting the 'Sunshine' bulbs instead. I originally had the 'daylight's but they were just too blue and intense looking. I switched over to sunshine and LOVE IT now, so much easier on the eyes.

 

[sgrammel]

I put up 12 of the 4ft two bulb fixtures in my 19x19 garage. The more the merrier. I just removed the original bare bulb fixture and wired them from there. I had two old fixtures so 6 of the new fixtures run off of each (although it is the same circuit).