Need some lighting advice

[The Frisco Kid]

Just moved into the new house and I need to upgrade the lighting in the garage. Right now I have three existing fixtures that have two T8 bulbs in each fixture. Total sqft is about 600, so the lighting is pretty poor in some areas.

I'd like to ideally add about 4-6 more 4' fixtures, but with only one switch, this wouldn't be ideal for walking into the garage to get out the door or grab something from the pallet rack. Here's my floorplan, I was thinking about just adding one additional fixture tied to each existing fixture via some flex conduit. Any thoughts before I start buying and wiring? The fixture layout is basically one fixture is above each one of the "parking areas". Ceiling height is 11', white walls, bare floor.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

Anyone have some opinions on this setup? I'd like to lean on you guys for advice and experience rather than install and tear out a few times while I learn!!

Thinking about these lights:
http://www.homedepot.com/Lithonia-L...Id=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UHN-rq75Pnc

and adding a second switch to allow for additional lighting zone, so original lighting on one switch and additional lighting (3 additional fixtures, 4 bulbs each) on a second switch.

 

[pattenp]

Adding a second switch to zone the lights is a smart move. For the space you have, adding 3 of the 4 tube fixtures will give you good light. Lighting is always a hard thing to recommend because everybody is different and likes different levels of lighting. I think a minimum of a 100 lumens per sqft is needed, but that's my opinion.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

I'll take a look around for a luxury calculator and see what it would take to get there. Thanks for the advice.

 

[pattenp]

A T8 32W 4' tube is about 2800 lumens. So for 600 sqft it would be 22 tubes for 100 lumens per sqft. That's only 4 more tubes than you were looking to have.

 

[jvitez]

Check out this thread. Lots of excellent information.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76550

You can also play around with this:

http://www.simkar.com/ZC_tool/index.html

Quick & dirty rule of thumb: 1.5-2.0 watts per sq ft using 32 watt T8 bulbs. Currently you have .32 watts/sq ft assuming regular 32 watt 85 CRI 2800 or so lumen bulbs (properly called lamps.) How old are you? Anyone over 40 will need double the light he needed in his 20's due to changes in the lens of your eye. You can double that again when you're 60.

My current lighting plan is 49 2-lamp T8 fixtures, for 1.84 watts/sq ft for my 1700 sq ft garage, on 3 switches, plus I'm keeping the current medium screw base lamp holders and 100 watt bulbs for the quick-in-and-out type use (lighting that is........).