Shop lighting question

[cowboyjim]

Has anyone used this type of lighting in their shop?
http://www.warehouse-lighting.com/vapor-tight-lighting/42-watt-ceiling-mounting-fluorescent.aspx

My shop is 42x60 and currently has 3 8' double tube florescent fixtures for general lighting. I use task lighting for lift work, welding, cutting etc. I'd like to replace the tubes to eliminate the constant buzzing and the guessing as to whether or not all the tubes will light at any given moment. I have similar lights as above in the horse barn but they use 150 watt bulbs instead of the 42 watt fl bulbs. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[2manytoyz]

We've used something similar at work (bunker). These are using CFLs as well. The area is poorly lit, despite having multiple fixtures inside the small room. I'm sure a higher wattage CFL would help, but don't think they work near as well as a long fluorescent lamp. JMHO.

 

[MoonRise]

If you don't need the vapor-tight units, don't get vapor-tight units.

As to your overall lighting and the buzzing existing fixtures, I'd suggest just replacing the current fixtures (most likely older T12 units with magnetic ballasts?) with more and better fixtures.

I used to really-really-really strongly dislike (OK, hate ) most fluorescent lightling. Poor lighting quality (poor CRI), buzzy, etc, etc, etc.

Recent and descent-quality tubes (high CRI and full-spectrum tubes) and electronic ballasts (run at higher than line-frequency 60 Hz, so no more humm/buzz!) work much-much-much better.

IMNSHO.

 

[cowboyjim]

Thanks 2MT and MR for the info and suggestions. I don't really need vapor tight units in the shop. I'll take a closer look at the newer tube fixtures. I keep the horse feed in a corner of the shop and I'm not sure who is more annoyed waiting for enough tubes to come on so I can find the feed - me or the horses.
thanks again.