Perfect Garage Lighting -DIY

[Garage Flooring]

We are working with a company to put together lighting for the garage customer. Usually, I post over in flooring, but it appears this section is filled with some great people. I wanted to get your input on what you would like to see for a simple line of lighting made specifically for the garage.

Sky is the limit... Colors... Switches .... Sensors .... bulb type.

 

[Jack D]

I doing a lighting and electrical plan for a garage I am starting in a few weeks. I am waiting on the foundation contractor.

I have decided that I will use LED (IP66) rated outside 30w floodlights to light the 400+ sq ft garage from the ceiling. I don't know if this will work so I have decided to buy one and experiment to see if I made the right choice before I buy the 6 that I think I need. The building will have a high ceiling using an LVL ridge beam. I had problems figuring out wattage/lumens and number necessary for the height and light distribution that I need/want. My plan uses Insteon based smart switches and receptacles so I can control everything remotely and allow each light to be controlled individually via a tablet or smartphone.

Whatever you have for sale you need to have charts showing lumen patterns with explanations on how to read the charts that are created by lighting engineers. :lowdown:

Even better would be a website that you can plot your floor, ceiling height and ceiling pitch and make information on lumens available per sq ft using your products for sale. By picking a product for sale in your business it should show you how many to install and recommended placement.

Maybe not what you were looking for.... but that was my 'skies the limit' response.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I doing a lighting and electrical plan for a garage I am starting in a few weeks. I am waiting on the foundation contractor.

I have decided that I will use LED (IP66) rated outside 30w floodlights to light the 400+ sq ft garage from the ceiling. I don't know if this will work so I have decided to buy one and experiment to see if I made the right choice before I buy the 6 that I think I need. The building will have a high ceiling using an LVL ridge beam. I had problems figuring out wattage/lumens and number necessary for the height and light distribution that I need/want. My plan uses Insteon based smart switches and receptacles so I can control everything remotely and allow each light to be controlled individually via a tablet or smartphone.

Whatever you have for sale you need to have charts showing lumen patterns with explanations on how to read the charts that are created by lighting engineers. :lowdown:

Even better would be a website that you can plot your floor, ceiling height and ceiling pitch and make information on lumens available per sq ft using your products for sale. By picking a product for sale in your business it should show you how many to install and recommended placement.

Maybe not what you were looking for.... but that was my 'skies the limit' response.

As your post indicates, it is not as simple as you would like. There are a lot of things to take in to account. How high are your ceilings, what color is the wall and ceilings and what color is the floor? Then you look at guidelines based on ALA recommendations http://www.hubbelllighting.com/content/solutions/retrofit/tools/files/recommended-footcandles.pdf .

SO that brings us to your suggestion. The long and short of it is figuring out spacing based on ceiling height and white walls will all be part of what we offer and that is a very very good suggestion.

If I could make a suggestion... It sounds like this garage space is important to you. Don't buy your lights off of Amazon. Go to a local ALA lighting specialist who buys commercial fixtures and have them plot it out. If you can't find someone locally PM me, but for what you are looking for a local specialist should do it (for free) and your only costs will be in the fixtures.

 

[frankush]

Most everyone here wants the same thing. A well lit space with low initial and operating costs. Some of us work with lighting every day and have a pretty good idea of what to expect from looking at a lighting plan. Most do not. Some folks want "smart" controls while others are happy with simple switches. Very few people would know what 75 foot candles looks like on a work surface. I think what most people want is an education, so they can be happy with the outcome. Customer service, especially before the sale, is going to make the difference in whether you are successful or not. Knowing what to avoid installing, based on the conditions should also be part of the education. If you have 8' ceilings and install strip lighting with T5 HO lamps, chances are you're not going to like it. Explain why it's not recommended. Flooring designers are not lighting designers, so plan to hire someone that has some real experience designing lighting systems and actually installing them. While most all fixture manufacturers will provide you with photometric data and a layout using their fixtures, I think most people get lost in the details. Sometimes more fixtures are better than less, even with the same lighting level criteria.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Most everyone here wants the same thing. A well lit space with low initial and operating costs. Some of us work with lighting every day and have a pretty good idea of what to expect from looking at a lighting plan. Most do not. Some folks want "smart" controls while others are happy with simple switches. Very few people would know what 75 foot candles looks like on a work surface. I think what most people want is an education, so they can be happy with the outcome. Customer service, especially before the sale, is going to make the difference in whether you are successful or not. Knowing what to avoid installing, based on the conditions should also be part of the education. If you have 8' ceilings and install strip lighting with T5 HO lamps, chances are you're not going to like it. Explain why it's not recommended. Flooring designers are not lighting designers, so plan to hire someone that has some real experience designing lighting systems and actually installing them.

VERY VERY WELL SAID. I know this sounds crazy, but the person you described above should not be buying online. This person should be going to an ALA lighting specialist and having their lighting designed for them.

As someone who has been through the ALA training, gotten the certificates and sold lighting extensively, I am actually torn by this issue because for many high end customers this should really really be done locally by someone who has the blueprints, walks through the house in various stages, etc.

The truth is many lighting designers throw a couple of strip lights in and call it good. Honestly I was guilty of it myself. But I do believe there is middle ground for the guy who wants something nice, wants to do it himself and does not want box store stuff.

 

[frankush]

I totally agree with those thoughts and if you're willing to do some hand holding you'll do ok. If you think the expectations are extremely high, provide references to designers who could help people out. If the designer uses the fixtures you offer, you've made a sale and the customer gets what they want. It's a win win situation.

 

[NCtim]

Okay, I'll bite. I'm building a 24 x 28 garage to work on my sports cars. One bay has a lift, the other is used to park the wife's car when I'm not using it. 10' ceiling. I'm building engines and doing bodywork, etc. How many T5HO, 120-277 Universals would you recommend?

Tim

 

[Garage Flooring]

Okay, I'll bite. I'm building a 24 x 28 garage to work on my sports cars. One bay has a lift, the other is used to park the wife's car when I'm not using it. 10' ceiling. I'm building engines and doing bodywork, etc. How many T5HO, 120-277 Universals would you recommend?

Tim

Sorry not trying to sell something specific here as much as get feedback on what people would like to see.

I think the point of the two people who posted previously is well taken. There is a lot that goes into that specific of a request.

I would mention however that people in your case tend to make two very specific mistakes. First they focus on the entire garage as opposed to the work areas which increases costs and decreases efficiency. Second they do not account for the position of the car on the lift, how that will affect light distribution --and even if perfectly distributed would it provide the light where you needed it.

The best thing you could do is draw it out, get all the lift specs, wall color, floor color and talk to a specialist that can physically look at everything with you.

One thing we are playing with is a slatwall mounted high output fixture that provides indirect light from a slightly lower level. I say that to say in your circumstances lighting from the sides may be a huge benefit BUT you have to have someone look and plan it out.

 

[Jack D]

SO that brings us to your suggestion. The long and short of it is figuring out spacing based on ceiling height and white walls will all be part of what we offer and that is a very very good suggestion.

If I could make a suggestion... It sounds like this garage space is important to you. Don't buy your lights off of Amazon. Go to a local ALA lighting specialist who buys commercial fixtures and have them plot it out. If you can't find someone locally PM me, but for what you are looking for a local specialist should do it (for free) and your only costs will be in the fixtures.

Thanks for the suggestion. and yes this garage is important to me and it is also 'very' expensive and I don't want to make a costly mistake with lighting and initial wiring. I'm trying to get this lighting plan done so I can size the sub panel and determine if I need to upgrade the main panel also.

I did a search for an ALA local specialist and on the first page it returned a hit on a free workshop about 15 miles from me. The page indicated that if I attended I would get a 20% discount on any products that the workshop produced, good for 30 days from the workshop session. The way the page was setup with a calendar it looked like it might be .... 'Today'! So I called the contact number asking for the individual and customer service said she hasn't worked there in 5 years. To make matters work they don't have workshops anymore..

On the same search I found another reference to a lighting center about an hour away that said they would be happy to look at 'new' building plans for commercial or residential buildings and work though a lighting plan with the builder/owner. I will contact them and see what I need to do to make an appointment.

It's interesting that you mentioned slatwall mounted lights. My tentative plan is to use slatwall on the walls. I'm learning toward a plastic version that is twice as expensive as the wood based products but would not be affected by moisture. I've just done rough cost figures now and while it is expensive I can install it myself bringing down the cost. I don't have the expertise to install drywall and do a good mud job so I would have to contract that out. My initial plan was to install LED tube lights in fixtures hanging from the ceiling but decided they would not be good because I could not get lumen distribution charts for most of the less expensive residential fixtures and commercial solutions seemed way out of my budget. Then I decided to mount the LED floods at the top of the walls but thought that they may be too bright for so close to the floor (walls are 9'). That made me decide that I need to be able to turn each one on individually unless I could get fixtures I could use a dimmer with. That feature seems to be not available in shop or outside flood lights.

Jack

 

[Garage Flooring]

Thanks for the suggestion. and yes this garage is important to me and it is also 'very' expensive and I don't want to make a costly mistake with lighting and initial wiring. I'm trying to get this lighting plan done so I can size the sub panel and determine if I need to upgrade the main panel also.

I did a search for an ALA local specialist and on the first page it returned a hit on a free workshop about 15 miles from me. The page indicated that if I attended I would get a 20% discount on any products that the workshop produced, good for 30 days from the workshop session. The way the page was setup with a calendar it looked like it might be .... 'Today'! So I called the contact number asking for the individual and customer service said she hasn't worked there in 5 years. To make matters work they don't have workshops anymore..

On the same search I found another reference to a lighting center about an hour away that said they would be happy to look at 'new' building plans for commercial or residential buildings and work though a lighting plan with the builder/owner. I will contact them and see what I need to do to make an appointment.

It's interesting that you mentioned slatwall mounted lights. My tentative plan is to use slatwall on the walls. I'm learning toward a plastic version that is twice as expensive as the wood based products but would not be affected by moisture. I've just done rough cost figures now and while it is expensive I can install it myself bringing down the cost. I don't have the expertise to install drywall and do a good mud job so I would have to contract that out. My initial plan was to install LED tube lights in fixtures hanging from the ceiling but decided they would not be good because I could not get lumen distribution charts for most of the less expensive residential fixtures and commercial solutions seemed way out of my budget. Then I decided to mount the LED floods at the top of the walls but thought that they may be too bright for so close to the floor (walls are 9'). That made me decide that I need to be able to turn each one on individually unless I could get fixtures I could use a dimmer with. That feature seems to be not available in shop or outside flood lights.

Jack

Handiwall, Norsk and StoreWall make very nice slatwall products. Let me know if you need help in that area.

If you go to a lighting specialist they can order the lighting almost however you want it... In otherwords I can order any one fixture in about 20 different configurations, including adding the ability to dim. There are so many options
on these things and thats why local people rock.

 

[Jack D]

I'm definitely going to try to let them help me. Everyday I learn something new!

 

[Garage Flooring]

I'm definitely going to try to let them help me. Everyday I learn something new!

The most important thing you can do with them is be completely upfront and honest. This is my budget. This is what I must have and this is what I would like....

 

[Blazinzuk]

Explain, Explain, Explain.

Its hard for me to equate lumen to the real world. Light spread using a certain number of degrees I can understand. Pretty easy to find an explanation of color of the light.

Really just saying keep it in simple understandable terms.

I have looked for a lighting specialist where I live. There are a couple a ways away. They are not interested to come up with a lighting plan. I was told it would be 500 bucks to design a lighting plan and that was only if I bought the lights from them. Other than that it would be a 1000 bucks for a lighting plan in a garage.

So pretty much I'm left with the internet or something online

 

[Crusarius]

I like to do things my own way. One of the things I recently did was buy a 4 pack of 48" LED tubes off amazon. it came with 4 non-shunted tombstones.

The tombstones are great if you want to put them in a fixture. Since the LED tubes are directional light I really don't care about fixtures.

I purchased some cheap spring clips for 1" conduit and screwed those to the ceiling. They are very cheap and don't hold the greatest. This was actually done on purpose since I have a tendency to hit the tubes with lumber and other things I am moving around. The cheap clips will allow the bulbs to move instead of destroying them.

The big dilemma this left me with was how to get power to them. I used some **** connectors that I crimped onto the really cheap $2 extension cords. Then I pressed the but connector onto the pins on the light.

I would love to have a nice molded connector that could just slip over the end of the bulbs with long enough cords so I can run a line of outlets through the center of the garage, plug the lights in and hang them from the ceiling. be even better if the molded connector had a way of fastening to the ceiling. Screw hole or whatever.

even if it was just a molded connector that needed to be hard wired that would still be fine.

If you need more information or clarification I can do a sketch or model. or even take pics of my cheezy setup.

just as a side note, this setup is also great for when you need to move lights. I pulled one of the lights off the ceiling the other day and shoved it into the engine compartment of the vehicle I was working on. best drop light ever be even better with good molded connector on the end

 

[Garage Flooring]

I like to do things my own way. One of the things I recently did was buy a 4 pack of 48" LED tubes off amazon. it came with 4 non-shunted tombstones.

The tombstones are great if you want to put them in a fixture. Since the LED tubes are directional light I really don't care about fixtures.

I purchased some cheap spring clips for 1" conduit and screwed those to the ceiling. They are very cheap and don't hold the greatest. This was actually done on purpose since I have a tendency to hit the tubes with lumber and other things I am moving around. The cheap clips will allow the bulbs to move instead of destroying them.

The big dilemma this left me with was how to get power to them. I used some **** connectors that I crimped onto the really cheap $2 extension cords. Then I pressed the but connector onto the pins on the light.

I would love to have a nice molded connector that could just slip over the end of the bulbs with long enough cords so I can run a line of outlets through the center of the garage, plug the lights in and hang them from the ceiling. be even better if the molded connector had a way of fastening to the ceiling. Screw hole or whatever.

even if it was just a molded connector that needed to be hard wired that would still be fine.

If you need more information or clarification I can do a sketch or model. or even take pics of my cheezy setup.

just as a side note, this setup is also great for when you need to move lights. I pulled one of the lights off the ceiling the other day and shoved it into the engine compartment of the vehicle I was working on. best drop light ever be even better with good molded connector on the end

Thats some ingenuity !

 

[Garage Flooring]

Explain, Explain, Explain.

Its hard for me to equate lumen to the real world. Light spread using a certain number of degrees I can understand. Pretty easy to find an explanation of color of the light.

Really just saying keep it in simple understandable terms.

I have looked for a lighting specialist where I live. There are a couple a ways away. They are not interested to come up with a lighting plan. I was told it would be 500 bucks to design a lighting plan and that was only if I bought the lights from them. Other than that it would be a 1000 bucks for a lighting plan in a garage.

So pretty much I'm left with the internet or something online

Thats crazy!

 

[Garage Flooring]

I stumbled on this for those of you trying to figure it out yourselves: http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/ . Just ask for the IES file from the people that make the lighting you are considering.

 

[Crusarius]

So when are you going to start molding those connectors I need?

 

[Jack D]

An update.

Yesterday I made an appointment with a ALA certified lighting person. I did the appoint thing because it was free. If I had him come to my home there would be a charge that would be credited against any product that I bought.

I spent an hour and a half with this guy and he was very knowledgable and very enthusiastic about helping me. He told me that he mainly does new homes and commercial/retail renovations. He has also done multiple 'Toy Barns' for some exotic cars. I felt he understood exactly what I wanted and as we discussed in my plans in detail. I felt that this was a very good decision to spend the afternoon working on this plan with him. I may cost me a good deal more but i'm anticipating that that it might take my garage from good to great.

Basically I gave him a set of my building plans and my electrical plan diagramed for each wall and ceiling and outside lighting over doors. I also told him that I was going to use outside LED flood lights mounted on the ceiling and pointed out what I wanted in the store, so he knew exactly what I was looking for.

Not surprising he said I would be disappointed with the glare and overlap of the lights and gave me some websites of lights that he has used previously in garages and 'toy barns'. He also took the workbench location, wall/floor color scheme, building North/south ordination and open garage door positions. I have a unique cathedral ceiling and garage doors on two different walls and a transom dormer. I also have a unique requirement that the ceiling lights must plug into a computer operated receptacle so the lamps can be operated individually using software that I already run in my home (Insteon home automation system).

He told me it would be about 2 weeks before he could get my details into a software package he has access to and then he would be back to me with fixture location, height, lumen/wattage and kelvin color.

This should be interesting!

jack

 

[SpyderMike]

gave me some websites of lights that he has used previously in garages and 'toy barns'.

How about sharing some of this information please!?

 

[screech]

We are working with an company to put together lighting for the garage customer. Usually I post over in flooring, but it appears this section is filled with some great people. Wanted to get your input on what you would like to see for a simple line of lighting made specifically for the garage.

Sky is the limit... Colors... Switches .... Sensors .... bulb type.

Ahw

As your post indicates, it is not as simple as you would like. There are a lot of things to take in to account. How high are your ceilings, what color is the wall and ceilings and what color is the floor? Then you look at guidelines based on ALA recommendations http://www.hubbelllighting.com/content/solutions/retrofit/tools/files/recommended-footcandles.pdf .

SO that brings us to your suggestion. The long and short of it is figuring out spacing based on ceiling height and white walls will all be part of what we offer and that is a very very good suggestion.

If I could make a suggestion... It sounds like this garage space is important to you. Don't buy your lights off of Amazon. Go to a local ALA lighting specialist who buys commercial fixtures and have them plot it out. If you can't find someone locally PM me, but for what you are looking for a local specialist should do it (for free) and your only costs will be in the fixtures.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[duffman04]

We are working with an company to put together lighting for the garage customer. Usually I post over in flooring, but it appears this section is filled with some great people. Wanted to get your input on what you would like to see for a simple line of lighting made specifically for the garage.

Sky is the limit... Colors... Switches .... Sensors .... bulb type.

If I could find lights that could be linked together on each end, thats what I want. A provision for adding a motion sensor to activate them would be a nice touch too. Or a wireless remote thats battery powered or with a separate power adapter.

The only option I've seen online that solved the linking problem (while making it look professionally done) was just too expensive. Home depot has some that link but then you've got an ugly cord that runs between them.

 

[Garage Flooring]

If I could find lights that could be linked together on each end, thats what I want. A provision for adding a motion sensor to activate them would be a nice touch too. Or a wireless remote thats battery powered or with a separate power adapter.



The only option I've seen online that solved the linking problem (while making it look professionally done) was just too expensive. Home depot has some that link but then you've got an ugly cord that runs between them.

Well.... That is one of the systems we are launching and we can do motion activated and you can plug them into each other but as you state the you are indeed stuck with a cord.....

 

[Jack D]

How about sharing some of this information please!?

This is the link for manufacturer for Barn Lights

Jack

 

[Jack D]

If I could find lights that could be linked together on each end, thats what I want. A provision for adding a motion sensor to activate them would be a nice touch too. Or a wireless remote thats battery powered or with a separate power adapter.

The only option I've seen online that solved the linking problem (while making it look professionally done) was just too expensive. Home depot has some that link but then you've got an ugly cord that runs between them.

In my lighting project my plan is to have 6 hanging lights in a small 1.5 car garage. I want to be able to light one, some or all lights. This is not impossible and if you want to embrace an electronic 'computer generated' solution it is relatively easy.

I have pretty much done a complete renovation of my home and I use a solution that uses 'smart switches'. The lighting system is manufactured and distributed from a website called Smarthome.com and while they sell tons of stuff the 'House' products are called Insteon and are actually available at Home Depot. Basically they use two networks for the devices to 'talk', a RF network and a power line network that runs traffic over the house 110/220v power network. It's much more expensive than traditional wires and switches but the flexibility is basically limited by your imagination. In fact if you want to go with the Amazon 'Echo' there is a module that allows voice control over your lights. In fact if you visit the website look for access to their support forums where you can get info just like here on GJ.

In my proposed solution I will use their Insteon 'Hub'. The hanging lights will essentially have electric plugs that will plug into a 'smart receptacle' and I will have a 8 position keypad that fits into the same space and box that holds a standard modern paddle switch. The keypad can be configured many ways but I will key 1 switch to light all lights and the next 6 keypad switch push buttons will control an individual light. Actually the keypad switch will control the 'smart receptacle' Because I am basically configuring a network address from another network address I can add a keypad on the other side of the garage to do the same thing. So basically I have a three way without all the complicated traditional wiring. That is the simple explanation. If I want to move to the next level of complexity you can add a 'hub' and that has a app where you can configure the network via a smartphone or tablet. I use an iPhone and an iPad in my home. Now I can turn lights on and off at sunset or sunrise or anytime I want. I can add devices to the network like, motion detectors, water sensors, hand held remotes, smart LED bulbs, dimmers, security cameras, and open/close sensors (think garage doors) and because I can use my smartphone I can do this from anywhere I have internet access. Once you buy the equipment there is no monthly fees. This is all independent of any mechanical function you do at the smart switch.

A smart switch or receptacle can cost between $40 to $80 and the hub runs about $75. Leak detectors are about $25 and most products are available at discounted package bundles. My wife has gotten to actually like the setup. I have about 40 devices installed now. I did it over time and have grown with the program over the last 5 or so years. Getting pretty solid now.

Yes complicated but it could do what you would like without additional wiring and a bank of paddle switches.

Jack

 

[fastevo9]

Hey I just joined and noticed this section dedicated to what I do for a living. I am a lighting engineer I handle design and light analysis for commercial and residential spaces in the NY market. I have experience lighting garages not just from above but from the walls and even the ground up for those guys that like to spend tons of time under there vehicles. I joined up since im researching a garage build myself but figured I would lend my services as well. I have not read everything posted but feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Shiftless]

Hey I just joined and noticed this section dedicated to what I do for a living. I am a lighting engineer I handle design and light analysis for commercial and residential spaces in the NY market. I have experience lighting garages not just from above but from the walls and even the ground up for those guys that like to spend tons of time under there vehicles. I joined up since im researching a garage build myself but figured I would lend my services as well. I have not read everything posted but feel free to ask any questions.

EXCELLENT!
Welcome to the group.

 

[Garage Flooring]

One of the things that is really important to consider here is that placement is as important is fixture selection. You really need to consider where you want the light.

You also need to consider HOW you are going to get it. If its new construction, thats easy, you buy it and have the electrician put it in... If its a DIY project, like many of the garages we sell, more often than not, a full rewire is not an option.

I have posted a couple of example lighting layouts on our blog. Again, we don't have anything for sale right now, this is just one of those important areas people forget to look at -- in my business. I was actually AMAZED to see the quality of this thread, section of the journal because this is so often overlooked.

While for many of you this small garage might not have enough lighting it is very well lit for the average homeowner

By contrast, something like this is better suited for someone with a high end, functioning shop.

More on our garage lighting plans can be found in the blog post.

 

[Adam.C]

Why are we even talking about installing lights on the ceilings? Step one, we need to discuss what gets lit and how we do it. Forget lumens, CRI, or color temp. Garages are not factory floors.

I have this to do in the next year. Off the top of my head, I'd like a bright colored floor and walls. I'm thinking about some sort of tube light mounted on the ceilings washing down the walls for general lighting, then another set of tubes 1' off the floor washing the floor. Lights overhead in an automotive shop don't make sense to me.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Why are we even talking about installing lights on the ceilings? Step one, we need to discuss what gets lit and how we do it. Forget lumens, CRI, or color temp. Garages are not factory floors.

I have this to do in the next year. Off the top of my head, I'd like a bright colored floor and walls. I'm thinking about some sort of tube light mounted on the ceilings washing down the walls for general lighting, then another set of tubes 1' off the floor washing the floor. Lights overhead in an automotive shop don't make sense to me.

You are exactly right... which is where I lead off the conversation EVERY garage is different. Close to 80% of my customers will do ceiling only lighting in their garages. 90-95% of the 80% really don't need anything super special, just a basic layout.

The other 20% is where it gets fun and is again where having someone local makes the most sense. Ceiling light is not all bad, depending on floor color and placement, you can get some really good indirect lighting, but for cars on lifts, etc there are a lot of things to consider and one of the most important is going to be where that light is coming from.

 

[duffman04]

In my lighting project my plan is to have 6 hanging lights in a small 1.5 car garage. I want to be able to light one, some or all lights. This is not impossible and if you want to embrace an electronic 'computer generated' solution it is relatively easy.

I have pretty much done a complete renovation of my home and I use a solution that uses 'smart switches'. The lighting system is manufactured and distributed from a website called Smarthome.com and while they sell tons of stuff the 'House' products are called Insteon and are actually available at Home Depot. Basically they use two networks for the devices to 'talk', a RF network and a power line network that runs traffic over the house 110/220v power network. It's much more expensive than traditional wires and switches but the flexibility is basically limited by your imagination. In fact if you want to go with the Amazon 'Echo' there is a module that allows voice control over your lights. In fact if you visit the website look for access to their support forums where you can get info just like here on GJ.

In my proposed solution I will use their Insteon 'Hub'. The hanging lights will essentially have electric plugs that will plug into a 'smart receptacle' and I will have a 8 position keypad that fits into the same space and box that holds a standard modern paddle switch. The keypad can be configured many ways but I will key 1 switch to light all lights and the next 6 keypad switch push buttons will control an individual light. Actually the keypad switch will control the 'smart receptacle' Because I am basically configuring a network address from another network address I can add a keypad on the other side of the garage to do the same thing. So basically I have a three way without all the complicated traditional wiring. That is the simple explanation. If I want to move to the next level of complexity you can add a 'hub' and that has a app where you can configure the network via a smartphone or tablet. I use an iPhone and an iPad in my home. Now I can turn lights on and off at sunset or sunrise or anytime I want. I can add devices to the network like, motion detectors, water sensors, hand held remotes, smart LED bulbs, dimmers, security cameras, and open/close sensors (think garage doors) and because I can use my smartphone I can do this from anywhere I have internet access. Once you buy the equipment there is no monthly fees. This is all independent of any mechanical function you do at the smart switch.

A smart switch or receptacle can cost between $40 to $80 and the hub runs about $75. Leak detectors are about $25 and most products are available at discounted package bundles. My wife has gotten to actually like the setup. I have about 40 devices installed now. I did it over time and have grown with the program over the last 5 or so years. Getting pretty solid now.

Yes complicated but it could do what you would like without additional wiring and a bank of paddle switches.

Jack

Endless amount of options for sure! I'll have to look into this more. With how fast everything is changing, any fear that what you buy now will be outdated within 6mths? as far as automation goes.

 

[Jack D]

Endless amount of options for sure! I'll have to look into this more. With how fast everything is changing, any fear that what you buy now will be outdated within 6mths? as far as automation goes.

I took me a while to buy into this company. Two things that were on the top of my list were that they made the API (software interface) available to other developers and Insteon was developing solutions to problems they already had. The choice of using two communications method simultaneously, power line and RF was a solution that created a mesh covering all devices allowing 110v powered devices to rebroadcast data traffic eliminating lost messages and failed operations due to power line or normal household noise. This is a common problem with all of these products.

They also have multiple other software companies developing applications using Insteon devices for Mac, windows and Linux. The more the merrier. The only outstanding concern I have is having Insteon in business so I can add function or repair failed devices. But I have a spare light switch, motion detector, and lamp module so I can fix anything that breaks. So far I just use stock to expand the system and reorder used as new spares.

I also liked the forum attached to the website and the support that their user community gave to people just kicking tires and trying to put solutions together, just like here in GJ. Basically I was able to get started with simple function for relatively small outlay. I also felt that the no reoccurring monthly money costs allowed me to get started and build on success. Don't get me wrong I need to say that it hasn't been without some trial and error has I implemented new devices.

I use Apple products and the software is automatically updated using the App Store. That means I have decent software updates for function and problems and my software doesn't get outdated.

Another big thing I liked, was they were/are looking for want the user community wanted in the next devices. I also had two devices fail over the last 5 years and they replaced them quickly. This whole 'Internet of Things' is bringing new products to market and I'm finding that some products use competing communication technologies so I would imagine it's tough starting out trying to figure or more correctly guessing who will survive. Seems like Insteon is now bringing to market bridge devices to connect the other communication methods. I see that they now have a module to connect Zwave and even a bridge to First Alert wireless smoke detectors. With the internet portal in and out of the house you get notifications on your phone and can react according or let the automation take over. Am example is, if you have a leak detector, like on water heater, activate the the Insteon hub will shut off the water main, providing you have the automated ball valve on your water supply.

Jack

 

[cpttuna]

I have a garage that is over 20 years old and could use some updated lighting. I hear a lot about the new LED lights and wish it were as simple as reading an article and going to Menard's or Lowe's and getting the stuff to update my garage lighting.

 

[Jack D]

I have a garage that is over 20 years old and could use some updated lighting. I hear a lot about the new LED lights and wish it were as simple as reading an article and going to Menard's or Lowe's and getting the stuff to update my garage lighting.

I have read lots of articles trying to come up with my plan and it has been hard to know what works. I went to a lighting specialist for a plan and I had to 'light' a fire under him this week because he was not getting back to me. I am am hopeful now that I will see some output.

Last week I even thought I would bite the bullet and load the 'freeware' lighting software called DIALux that I read about on the 'sticky' in this sub-forum. and make my own plan. Unfortunately it only runs on WinDoze so i am SOL. I guess I will have to see what the lighting specialist gives me. He already hinted that the light of choice appears to be a T5HO fixture and that is not what I want.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I have a garage that is over 20 years old and could use some updated lighting. I hear a lot about the new LED lights and wish it were as simple as reading an article and going to Menard's or Lowe's and getting the stuff to update my garage lighting.

So we are moving to a new location and it has old T12 fixtures. We are removing the ballast and putting in line voltage LED tubes into the existing fixture.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I have read lots of articles trying to come up with my plan and it has been hard to know what works. I went to a lighting specialist for a plan and I had to 'light' a fire under him this week because he was not getting back to me. I am am hopeful now that I will see some output.

Last week I even thought I would bite the bullet and load the 'freeware' lighting software called DIALux that I read about on the 'sticky' in this sub-forum. and make my own plan. Unfortunately it only runs on WinDoze so i am SOL. I guess I will have to see what the lighting specialist gives me. He already hinted that the light of choice appears to be a T5HO fixture and that is not what I want.

The more I am seeing the service people are getting the more tempted I am to do custom layouts. It is really crazy the level of service or lack thereof you guys are seeing locally. Maybe I am in the wrong business

Would this link help you at all: http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/

 

[Jack D]

The more I am seeing the service people are getting the more tempted I am to do custom layouts. It is really crazy the level of service or lack thereof you guys are seeing locally. Maybe I am in the wrong business

Would this link help you at all: http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/

This is interesting but my garage has a cathedral ceiling so I can incorporate a lift at some point. Walls are 9' and top of the LVL center beam is 15' above the floor. I looked through the product selection and combining the square room with a light I probably would not buy, this is probably pretty close to guessing.

I'm hoping I can get whatever tool the lighting store is using to first look at what is best case (with whatever they recommend) and the comment they had was it probably would be T5HO, then ask what my choice of design would produce and how it compares. Bottom line is I didn't want tube lights.

I am hoping they give me a light plot, like I have seen here and I can ask questions about what it means. It is also complicated by the garage having two overhead doors but not opposite ends or next to one another.

 

[fastevo9]

The more I am seeing the service people are getting the more tempted I am to do custom layouts. It is really crazy the level of service or lack thereof you guys are seeing locally. Maybe I am in the wrong business

Would this link help you at all: http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/

It depends on who you ask in the lighting industry. If you are going to a distributor or local supply house they won't give you the time of day for a garage or any small space. It doesn't pay for them to do a photometric report and explain things to a general consumer since the chances of someone shopping things out elsewhere or online is highly likely. Those guys are all about volume sales with there contractor buddies. Someone should create a photometric request sticky and guys like myself can jump in and help.

 

[Jack D]

It depends on who you ask in the lighting industry. If you are going to a distributor or local supply house they won't give you the time of day for a garage or any small space. It doesn't pay for them to do a photometric report and explain things to a general consumer since the chances of someone shopping things out elsewhere or online is highly likely. Those guys are all about volume sales with there contractor buddies. Someone should create a photometric request sticky and guys like myself can jump in and help.

Basically the lighting store I went to charges to come onsite and the charge is credited to the order but the consult is free, if I came into the store. Since the building is just now started there was no need to have him drive over 2 hours round trip to see the hole I brought him the full plans so he didn't have to even measure. I'm not sure yet that they will be way out of line price wise but I am willing to go ahead and try to buy from them.. I'm not expecting $15 fixtures. I estimated that I would need 6 or 8 fixtures and with high output LED lamps they could easily be $200 apiece.

However the bottom line here is, at least in my state, there is no one offering this service. I would have a paid some monies to get this done. The more reading I did the more I learned that I didn't know anything. So how could I determine if my calculations using available tools was good? More importantly If I guessed and bought the fixtures and done the wiring necessary and the lighting was inadequate how much would I spend to correct it or would I just live with it.

 

[fastevo9]

Basically the lighting store I went to charges to come onsite and the charge is credited to the order but the consult is free, if I came into the store. Since the building is just now started there was no need to have him drive over 2 hours round trip to see the hole I brought him the full plans so he didn't have to even measure. I'm not sure yet that they will be way out of line price wise but I am willing to go ahead and try to buy from them.. I'm not expecting $15 fixtures. I estimated that I would need 6 or 8 fixtures and with high output LED lamps they could easily be $200 apiece.

However the bottom line here is, at least in my state, there is no one offering this service. I would have a paid some monies to get this done. The more reading I did the more I learned that I didn't know anything. So how could I determine if my calculations using available tools was good? More importantly If I guessed and bought the fixtures and done the wiring necessary and the lighting was inadequate how much would I spend to correct it or would I just live with it.

Since your located in CT you could contact a manufacturers rep and they should help at no charge. Once the product is selected they would send you to a local distributor and let you know roughly what your expected to pay for the product once you get there. I also don't mind helping with the layout as lighting is all i do for a living. Once we determine layout and product used you could shop for the product locally in your area.