Scored some free lights!

[VW_Buggsy]

Hey folks, long time lurker, first time poster.

The local McD's is remodeling. As usual (these days) they are gutting the place and just throwing everything away to replace it with the new stuff.

I asked and they said I could have all the old light fixtures. So I scored 26 2X4 flourescent fixtures. Each has two 32 watt bulbs, with nice chrome reflectors, and they are t-8's. I believe they are called "troffer" lights? They all have plastic prizm diffusers, most of which are broken from being tossed in a pile but I can replace those for pretty cheap (as compared to buying new fixtures). I'm told they were all working before removed and none are bent up.

Anyway, I'm planning a 30X44 pole building garage, basically a 4 car garage, with 12' ceilings. Are the 26 lights enough to do the whole shebang? I think that's 6 per bay plus a couple extra for over a work-bench. How many of these would I need per 11X30 garage bay?

 

[robertlynk]

what voltage are they? 277? 120? are they multi tap

 

[robertlynk]

I have 8/6 tube fixtures in 40x60 and welding hood goes dark when I hit the lights

 

[VW_Buggsy]

They are 120V.

I don't know what "multi-tap" means. How to I tell?

 

[VW_Buggsy]

" 8/6 tube fixtures "

I have no idea what that means, and how it compares to the light fixtures I'm asking about. Does that mean 8 fixtures with 6 32 watt tubes?

Thanks,
Buggsy

 

[robertlynk]

Some ballasts are designed to run different voltages. when you look at the ballast itself it will say the voltage it it designed for. Multi means that it can be wired for different voltages. 8 fixtures with 6 32 watt bulbs in each fixture

 

[VW_Buggsy]

Ah, I see. Thanks.

I'll have to check if they are multi-tap. If they are, I'm guessing it's more efficient to run them on the 277 volt than 120? Where does 277 come from, I've only realy heard of 110/120 or 220/240 volt.

So you are running a total of 48 32 watt bulbs in a shop over twice what I'm planning in size. I was talking about using 40 total bulbs if I use 5 per bay. I could probably cut that in half... or use 3 fixtures per bay, and still have more than enough light.

Anyway, it sounds like I'll have plenty of lights!

Thanks so much for your help.

Buggsy

 

[robertlynk]

Industrial/commercial buildings use 277.In a home/garage it is 120/240. Just wanted you to be sure so that you are not disappointed if the lights gave you a problem. I think 21 fixtures will give you a lot of light but i believe you can never have to much light. I would hang them temporarily with chain and test different layout to obtain the light you want

 

[robertlynk]

here are a couple of pictures

 

[Norcal]

Watts is watts & it's going consume the same amount of energy no matter what voltage is supplied to it.

 

[Greatbear]

277V comes from 460volt 3-phase installations, it's a single hot line to neutral. It's usually only found in serious industrial settings with lots of 460V motors and machinery. The advantage is you can run lots of lighting from a single switch/branch. Makes wiring up a large area for lighting a lot easier. Disadvantages are that all the pieces need to be rated for 277V operation, including the switches.

 

[Norcal]

277V comes from 460volt 3-phase installations, it's a single hot line to neutral. It's usually only found in serious industrial settings with lots of 460V motors and machinery. The advantage is you can run lots of lighting from a single switch/branch. Makes wiring up a large area for lighting a lot easier. Disadvantages are that all the pieces need to be rated for 277V operation, including the switches.

If it's 460V the line to neutral voltage is 265V, 480V it is 277V.

 

[VW_Buggsy]

Thanks folks! The ballasts are labeled 120 so I'm assuming they'll work out fine. I'll wire up one for a test just to be sure before I store them for months waiting until I can build my building.

It sounds like I should have plenty of lights.

I was going to take a tip from another member I saw on here and mount them to the middle of 2X4's and just lay those loose over the joists and leave extra wiring length so I can slide them around and move them easily, at least at first. I wasn't planning on a ceiling.

Anyway, I have a while to think about it. My wife and I are building a custom home, but we're held up with some permiting issues. Once that's more under-way we'll start the garage/pole building process on the same lot.


Thanks for all the help!
Buggsy

 

[Greatbear]

I meant 480V. This is what happens when I post late at night with a case of insomnia.

 

[porschedude996TT]

Do they sell like Frech Fries and Burgers?

 

[kbs2244]

That is a great find.

 

[Cuda]

I'm sorry to tell you these lights will not work in your application buddy. You have to consider the derated philos anti status formula to see it. I would suggest you send them to me, and go invest in some new fixtures that are rated for your application.
Deal?

 

[VW_Buggsy]

Oh. Well thanks for the info Cuda, I guess you can have them if you can use them and i can't.

Do you want me to go ahead an pay for the shipping too? I mean I'm sure I owe you something for the favor of giving me back the extra storage space right?

Nice try,
Buggsy

 

[dipper]

Nice, that's a better deal then i got. Some of mine were 277v but i ended replacing all my ballasts with new 120v that i got for free. I have cooper
metallux parabolic troffers. They worked great with the drop ceiling.