Need advice on fixture selection.

[drscoles]

First post, great forum. New garage, dedicated 26x28' for my shop. The work area has four 4' two fixture lights in that area. My first thought was to just replace these with 8' 4 lamp fixtures. I saw these 4' T5HO fixtures that looked interesting. Would four of these be enough?

I build large scale r/c models, I will have my mill and lathe on the back wall, and work benches in the middle. There will be cabinets on the left wall with a bench the full length with grinder, sander, scroll saw and mini table saw. I know the lighting as is is not gonna work.

My goal is to provide enough light by replacing these four fixtures. I can do this by myself. If I need more fixtures, I'll have to have an electrician come out. I'd like to try to tackle this stuff myself, just need some suggestions on the ideal types of fixtures and do the experts here think I can get away with just four as far as coverage? Think I might need one directly over the mill and lathe on the back wall, but might also build hood to collect chips and I could light that.

Thanks!

 

[stikman56]

http://www.thelightedge.com/

I got one in my shop that I traded the owner of this company for,plus another I use for automotive work that you can slide under a car. . When I saw it, I had to have it. I've never seen better. One light mounted up high is enough for the bay. They're not cheap,but the light is amazing.

 

[drscoles]

http://www.thelightedge.com/

I got one in my shop that I traded the owner of this company for,plus another I use for automotive work that you can slide under a car. . When I saw it, I had to have it. I've never seen better. One light mounted up high is enough for the bay. They're not cheap,but the light is amazing.

Which one are you referring to on that site? Have been slowly making the conversion to LED in my current house, just no idea what type of LED shop light to get, depot and lowes has nothing but small work bench lights.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Can you provide a floor plan sketch with the different ceiling heights?

Looking through the Light Fixture Layout Collections thread will give you a general feel for what I would recommend.

Your ceilings don't appear to be tall enough to warrant T5HO or low enough (in the main section anyway) to warrant wraps.

 

[chruler]

Consider having 2 or 3 zones in the shop so you're not lighting the entire place when you're off to one side at a workbench or something.

I always find it better to use several lower wattage light fixtures, spread out, rather than just a few in a cluster. The more spread out the lights are, the better the light quality and the less shadows you'll have.

Also be careful not to position fixtures in areas where the light is behind you. This will cause shadows to fall on the bench/workspace.