Need some help/have questions about fluorescent fixtures.

[AaronH87]

I had purchased two 48" fluorescent fixtures from lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_271069-1353...ue&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

I installed them today, sorta...

from this

to this

These specific fixtures are plug in. They cut on and off by a pull chord.
i wanted to at least hang the fixtures and see how they look before i cut the plug off and hard wire them into the existing light fixture. So that is why you see them pluged in with an extension chord.
as you can see, these fixtures hang from the ceiling.

SO this is my issue. Im not sure how i feel about the dead space above the fixtures. there is a large shadowed area for the top 1 foot of the garage. Is there any options to fix this, or is my best bet to just return these to lowes and purchase some flush mounted fixtures.

 

[pattenp]

Take those back and purchase the correct style to be surface mounted and hardwired. You should not cut off the plug and use the cord for hard wiring.

 

[eljefino]

Your issue is your ceiling is too low and the lights have reflectors. You want the "more naked" style where light spills sideways. Like this: link

It is also frustrating especially with low ceilings when the lights are dead center over a car's parking spot. This puts huge shadows down low when you want to do tire/ brake work. Better to do a horseshoe type arrangement. Your darkish walls look cool but aren't helping the light much.

I'm confident OP will wire his permanent arrangement better.

 

[AaronH87]

yea, im just gonna return these. Im glad i tested them out before permanent instalation.

i should have just gone with a flush mount from the begining.

I want fluorescents because i want brighter light due to the walls being darker.

Thanks for the help fellas

 

[ddawg16]

Yea....those are some dark walls.......why so dark?

You would be amazed at how much light you will get if you paint the walls a lighter color.

 

[AaronH87]

well, they look lighter in the day, but i wanted a grey color and they turned out darker than i thought they would. i dont really mind the color because when i add the cabinets, i will have much lighter colored cabinets, and accesories on the walls. Now that being said, i did buy a gallon of a light grey ( for trim or whatever else i need) it only took 1.5 gallons to paint the whole garage, so i could probably paint the upper half of the garage with the light grey if i really need lighter colored walls. But first i want to get the cabinets and stuff up in a lighter grey color and see how that helps.

 

[AaronH87]

I'm thinking about getting 2 of these

http://m.lowes.com/mt/www.lowes.com/pd_163723-337-8TSNF-232-UNV-EB81-U_0__?productId=3181905

 

[ken w.]

I have 4 of these lights in my garage and plan on added 2 more.You can never seem to have enough light in a garage.

 

[AaronH87]

How big is your garage?

 

[Familyof8kids]

I'm thinking about getting 2 of these

http://m.lowes.com/mt/www.lowes.com/pd_163723-337-8TSNF-232-UNV-EB81-U_0__?productId=3181905

Metalux are known for using 2nd run ballast rejected by OEM's. I am not sure if they changed that practice but failures on the most expensive part in a fixture is not a good thing.

It would be like buying a new car knowing failures of the motor is a common thing. You can take a chance since the cost is so low.

 

[AaronH87]

Purchased 2 of the 8' about 2 says ago and will install them today and let ya know how it goes. I should have started with flush mounted from the beginning. You live and learn.

 

[AaronH87]

Well I got the new fluorescents up and I'm happy with them this time. Very bright and foot light coverage.

Comparison of before and after

Both lights installed

2 fixtures that hold four 48" T-8s. (total of 8 bulbs) With the daylight bulbs. I'm happy with it. I'm considering adding some recessed lights around the peremeter of the ceiling for accent lighting and when I want softer lighting in the garage when the bright fluorescents aren't needed (hanging out, darts, arcade)