New (used) lights going up! switch recommendations wanted

[rocketpowered_keith]

After a while of searching, I found the deal I was looking for, 4' T8 fixtures, suitable for flush mounting, and a reasonable price. I bought 15 fixtures for $200 on Craigslist.

I've just finished hanging the fixtures and will be wiring them in the next few weeks, my garage is 32' x 25' and I've hung three rows of 5 fixtures.

I'm looking for recommendations regarding switching these lights. One switch for all of them seems like a bit much, so should I break it up into two or three switches?

Check the photo, I think this should be an improvement from the two bulbs on the ceiling!

Keith

 

[Torque1st]

3 switches would be my recommendation. One row controlled by switches by the doors for general illumination. The other rows can have switches near them. Also put some duplex outlets on the ceiling for connecting a temporary shop light if you need more light in a certain area. You can wire those outlets to the switch for the adjacent row of lights.

 

[Norcal]

Alternate fixtures between 2-switches so that you have two lighting levels,this can be taken further and do the same thing with each row if you did not mind 6 switches. (2 for each row).

 

[PassnThru]

I would probably put the middle row on a separate switch. You can have that one on when you don't need a bunch of light. As for how many more than that, kind of undecided. Since one row is above the doors, I would be tempted to switch that one separately also for a total of three switches. Then again, if you need lots of light you'll probably turn them all on anyway. So a little less wiring that way with just two switches.
Of course, if you are really feeling adventurous then you could have two switches with every other light on the same switch. More even light that way but it would be significantly harder to wire.

 

[sams]

I personally would have two switches with one doing every second fitting. This is exactly what I did in my garage as I knew I would for the larger part of the time have much more light than I need. The way you have set this up is really impressive and I like it a lot but like mine I suspect you won't need that much light for such an area so you could save your power.