My mind is blown. Garage lights

[12vwiz]

Above is my electrical layout for my new garage. The architect shows six light fixtures. Each pair are on a separate switch (Front, center and back.



The garage/DIY shop is a finished 24 X 26 X 9.5 that is painted a light, light gray (almost white)on ceiling and 5 feet down the walls. The remainder is painted two shades darker with epoxy floor



The problem I’m having is when searching all the great lighting info on here it’s a bit overwhelming and I’m not having a good time understanding the lighting calculators. My contractor wants to install fixtures next week and I’m stressed out. I’m not seeing this lighting arrangement nor this few of lights in my searching.



The first page of the pinned thread “ Best lights“ shows exposed bulbs. I’m looking for a wraparound style diffuser lens. Plus I’m not necessarily sold on the direct wire T8 LED fixtures. I think I am leaning towards the integrated LED. I just can’t figure out if the architect intended for each fixture to have two rows of LEDs or four.



I think I want to be around 4 or 5K in lighting color that is mounted directly to ceiling with direct wiring.



I’m confused about the lumens. I think... Hell I’m confused about it all. Any help would be appreciated.













Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[txvwnut]

My shop is basically the same dimensions as yours and this is what I have in mine.
https://primelights.com/shop/items/the-bolt-2-lamp-led-shop-light-5700lumens-pl-blt44wcl
I have 8 fixtures and it’s enough light that I don’t really need any work lights on the lathe or the mill.

 

[glend123]

here is my 26 x 28 garage that I recently moved into. Previous owner just had regular led bulbs. So far it's bright enough for me and I'm getting old and need lots of light. check out the pics in my thread.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430284

 

[cybrdyke]

Surface wrap fixtures are very common in garages. The lens helps the light move sideways so that it makes a nice even result. For your space, I'd go with 8 of them in a 2x4 pattern unless you are doing full time machining in there. Look for something around 5000 lumens and 5000K.
There are tons of styles to choose from.
Good luck,
CD

 

[12vwiz]

Thanks for the replies. The problem I’m having is it is already wired for six and the center is eaten up with garage motors, Second level access and storage lift.

I added to my first post to include the layout. I did not post it right the first time.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[cybrdyke]

This is the new style "wrap" fixture that has become popular. It's much smaller than a traditional looking "wrap" and yet it still performs about the same. You can find these up to 6000 lumens. Also available in 8', which is two 4' put end to end.

Not as cheap as the garbage that's sold on ebay or Amazon, but still very reasonable.
C

 

[wssix99]

Above is my electrical layout for my new garage. The architect shows six light fixtures. Each pair are on a separate switch (Front, center and back.

1) Grab leather glove
2) wet it
3) Slap architect across the face
4) Tell them to go back to school and try again...


Why would they do this? (A 5 gang box is a bit nuts...)

- Your back door lights should have their switch separate and by their door.

- If desired to have bright and dimmer settings, I would control everything inside by two switches and have two wires go to all fixtures. Make them all "4 tube" and then have each switch control 2 of the 4 tubes.

- Your 6th switch is a 3-way by the garage door. This is OK.

 

[pbon]

This is the new style "wrap" fixture that has become popular. It's much smaller than a traditional looking "wrap" and yet it still performs about the same. You can find these up to 6000 lumens. Also available in 8', which is two 4' put end to end.

Not as cheap as the garbage that's sold on ebay or Amazon, but still very reasonable.
C

I have 20 of those 4’ LED wrap lights in my 750SF garage and really like them. Mine are by James.

 

[12vwiz]

1) Grab leather glove
2) wet it
3) Slap architect across the face
4) Tell them to go back to school and try again...

Fact!

Why would they do this? (A 5 gang box is a bit nuts...)

it actually ended up being two 4 gang boxes, one above the other. I added two switches for Second floor.

If desired to have bright and dimmer settings, I would control everything inside by two switches and have two wires go to all fixtures. Make them all "4 tube" and then have each switch control 2 of the 4 tubes.

I like this idea but I’m not a fan of LED tubes.

 

[12vwiz]

Where’s the best place to purchase those lights?

If I’m using a lumens calculator correctly I should be looking for 25,200 lumens total. Does this sound right?

 

[Bert_]

If I’m using a lumens calculator correctly I should be looking for 25,200 lumens total. Does this sound right?

No. It doesn't work like that. You can't use total lumens. You need to calculate footcandles at your work height.

 

[75gmck25]

Don't get caught up in the builder vs. owner dilemma of "you have to make a decision now!"

If you want to delay your lighting decision, have them install switched receptacles in the ceiling boxes, and plan to buy plug-in LED lights. That will make it really easy to move lights around and get the optimum coverage you want. You can plug two lights into each double receptacle, and many LED lights can be daisy chained. You may even want to drop some of the lights down on chains so that they are near a workbench. It is the ultimate in flexibility. You may need at least one operable ceiling light to meet code, but other than that there is no reason to lock-in to a brand and light size right now.

One minor complication is that the updated code now require all garage receptacles to be GFCI, but that can be handled with a GFCI breaker.

Bruce

 

[nadogail]

Where there are two lighting designers together, you are likely to have three opinions.

To explain the situation in terms of Ice Cream.

Not everybody likes vanilla, nor does everyone like chocolate, so we have neopolitan as an option.

 

[Leevon]

Don't overthink it, that takes the fun out of building a garage. I just finished my attached garage, 1100sf, 12' ceilings, with (8) 4k integrated led fixtures I bought at Home Depot. I used the lighting calculators. I read all the forums. In the end I winged it and I am perfectly happy. I suppose had I stuck to some regimented plan there may be a slight difference, but there are diminishing returns on all that time and effort. I think your plan is solid just pick a fixture you can afford and meets your minimum output and move on

Here is the light I used, cheap enough to be replaced at any time and it's like an operating room in the garage.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commerc...egrated-LED-Wraparound-WR4840K40LWL/306242227

 

[wssix99]

it actually ended up being two 4 gang boxes, one above the other. I added two switches for Second floor.

That's not going to work well. People reach for switches at a common height. With all that slapping and probing for switches in the dark, you could end up shorting out the whole City.

Way too many switches for what looks to be a 2 car garage. I would just put all the ceiling lights on one switch. You could reserve another for special task lighting, but that would be it. The outside fixtures get switches and then you are done!

I like this idea but I’m not a fan of LED tubes.

What kind of fixture would you be putting in then? Those look like large fixtures. Or are you completely undecided?

 

[BB Sig]

^^^^ This! ^^^^

I like the idea of one switch for that space. My three car garage has two switches and I always use both switches.

Barry
North Florida

 

[OneOfEm]

That's not going to work well. People reach for switches at a common height. With all that slapping and probing for switches in the dark...

This is absolutely true.

I placed my switches at the same height as the outlets, which is a little higher than the "standard" switch height. I always miss low in the dark.

Mine are all surface-mount, and I have enough slack to drop the switches down. If you don't have the flexibility, get this right the first time.

 

[pbon]

I put 4 switches in for my 20 lights. Massive overkill in hindsight. 2 would have been fine. Mine are dimmers as well. Again, overkill. LED are not spinning the meter much.