Recessed Lighting Question

[Rescue Wagon]

I'm getting ready to install recessed lighting in my garage and my initial layout plan is not going to work as it will land on the truss supports. So my garage is 261" deep x 257" wide and my original plan was to do 4 rows of 4 lights. My new idea is to center the lights on the trusses and go to 5 rows of 4 lights, and then place rows 1, 3, and 5 on the primary light switch and then rows 2 and 4 on a secondary light switch. This will give me 12 lights for most work I'm doing in the garage and then allow me to add another 8 for when I need additional lighting.

My question is will this be to much lighting? And will my layout work for lighting to work on projects?

Thanks.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Not enough info to answer.
22' sq garage.
Ceiling height = ?
Light Fixture type = ?

 

[Rescue Wagon]

Sorry bout that. I have 9ft ceilings and I went with these lights from Lowes:

http://tinyurl.com/q8qbqnu

 

[Platonic Solid]

Incorrect type of fixture for general workshop area lighting, but to answer your question - there will definitely not be too much light. You'd need 40 of them for an even 50fc distribution (+/- depending on the lamp) 5 rows of 8 fixtures.

20 Fixtures Spaced at 5.5 x 4.4 ft = 26fc at 2.5ft workplane height

 

[Rescue Wagon]

So, are you saying incorrect because it would take 40 to meet lighting needs?

And is this no matter what kind of bulb I select? Is 50fc ideal?

 

[67carl]

I have 6 recessed lights tied into a motion/occupancy sensor in my garage in lieu of the garage door opener light. It's great lighting for getting out of the car and into the house or going from the house into the laundry/workroom to throw in a load of laundry. I wouldn't rely on these as my general garage lights though. You'd have to put in so many to get near the same coverage as fluorescent. I have an array of T5 lights for that. Any reason your trying to use recessed as your primary?

 

[Rescue Wagon]

I don't like fluorescent lights.

 

[Platonic Solid]

The conical distribution pattern of recessed cans is for accent lighting.

 

[roscoe2000]

No it will not be too much lighting, and you will need additional lighting for projects.

 

[67carl]

I don't like fluorescent lights.

Fair enough. Just beware of the bulb type you use and the heat they generate. I use halogen (75w I think) and they get very hit if I leave them on for awhile. I hit one with my laser therm. gun after they'd been on for awhile and was surprised at how hot they were.

 

[Rescue Wagon]

I was thinking of going with LED

 

[dogdas]

I have 6 recessed 200w incandescent light in my attached garage that is 20' x 30' x 15'h. The produce a good amount of light and when I put them in they were free. I use a 2000w dimmer to drive them but this summer they are all being removed and replaced with 4000K LED's. LED's are the only way to go but you have to research the brand and most importantly the warranty. My new 1000sf shop will have all 4000k LED's on 10v dimmers with a couple on photo cells.

 

[dogdas]

I was thinking of going with LED

there is a thread here on 4' LED fixtures. about $125 each. Not cheap but over time they will pay off and no hassles to deal with.