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Need help with Lighting layout

351cmach

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Feb 12, 2012
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South Shore, Ma
Title says it all. I need help with the lighting layout. Garage is a new build 38' wide 28' deep 12' ceilings. Walls will be plaster most likely white. Floor has been sealed so its a dark gray. I do mechanical work and occasional body and paint work. I plan on using 8' T8 fixtures. I have 2 layouts. What do you guys think of either layout? I plan on 3 zones. The center strip a zone, the 2 front and rear on the right, and the 2 front and rear on the left.

Please feel free to critique the heater and fan placement also. Thanks
 

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pattenp

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The layout with 12 fixtures is okay. With 12 fixtures you will have plenty of light. The other layout is a bit much. A good rule of thumb is 100 lumens per sqft and a 4ft T8 lamp is about 2700LU. So 40 lamps gives you about 100LU per sqft or 10 4 lamp fixtures. So with 12 fixtures I think you're good.
 

600SL

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In the first picture I would move the back row further back so that light will get into the engine bays of the cars when the hoods are up.

For the second row turn them sideways to line up with the cars. This way light will be projected at the sides of your cars where you need to see. Lighting up the tops of cars is useless.
 
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351cmach

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You want 12 fixtures running parallel to the car so you have less shadows

Thought of that but the rows against the walls will only be about 12" off the walls, and I was concerned about light washing the walls. There would also be no room above the lift, but I could leave a space for that.
 
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351cmach

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South Shore, Ma
Thought of that but the rows against the walls will only be about 12" off the walls, and I was concerned about light washing the walls. There would also be no room above the lift, but I could leave a space for that.

You want 12 fixtures running parallel to the car so you have less shadows

Here is a pic with the lights parallel. The outer center lights would need to 4' fixtures to clear the lift and offset for the stairs. More thoughts?
 

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600SL

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Here is a pic with the lights parallel. The outer center lights would need to 4' fixtures to clear the lift and offset for the stairs. More thoughts?

That's better, I opted for my front row of lights to be in front of the cars. Far enough in front so the light shines under the hoods when they are open. It also lights up my work bench area. See schematic of my two bay area.
 

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chrgdrt

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That's better, I opted for my front row of lights to be in front of the cars. Far enough in front so the light shines under the hoods when they are open. It also lights up my work bench area. See schematic of my two bay area.

I'm with 600SL on this one:thumbup: Had mine perpendicular to the Vehicles but have since changed them to be paralell to the cars. and definetly need one row across the front for under hood light.
 

yeldogt

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You need general illumination and then extra where you know you will be working.

If you place some of the lights parallel to the cars - you will have enough light when the cars are there -- but also when they are not. When you are working on the cars with the hood up you will need more light -- so I have a light in that area ... on a separate switch.

I also have dedicated lights for the different work bench areas -- otherwise you will have shadows. I have lights back by the doors -- many times I want to take something out of a car without driving into the garage -- also separate switch.
 
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