Switch/Lighting Question

[BetterDays]

As it is known, constant turning on and off fluorescent lights will significantly shorten their life. And it cheap materials and cold weather, and you have a recipe for failure.

With that said, does anyone have a switch in the garage with non-fluorescent lights for the quick (run in, grab something from the bench, run out) instead of turning on all of the lights.

I currently have 10 4' dual bulb on a single switch. I am thinking about moving that switch and putting in a new switch to control 3 or so standard lights that can be turned on when I don't need the extra light from the fluorescents.

your thoughts?

 

[Gary S]

I have my lights set up on 2 different circuits. The end by the walk in door has a couple of incandescent lights. They don't put out much light, but they will do for a short trip in the garage to find a wrench. The other end of the garage by the work bench has a circuit with the florescent lights. When I work in there, they get turned on and I have real light.
In addition to those two circuits and switches, I have a motion sensor light inside the garage. This one comes on each time I walk in the door so most of the time there is no need to turn on any lights with a switch.

 

[BetterDays]

I have my lights set up on 2 different circuits. The end by the walk in door has a couple of incandescent lights. They don't put out much light, but they will do for a short trip in the garage to find a wrench. The other end of the garage by the work bench has a circuit with the florescent lights. When I work in there, they get turned on and I have real light.
In addition to those two circuits and switches, I have a motion sensor light inside the garage. This one comes on each time I walk in the door so most of the time there is no need to turn on any lights with a switch.

Good call on the motion sensor light....

That is an idea for me to look into...

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm not sure how the wiring is run in your garage Kevin, but you may be able to replace that single box with a two gang box and have two switches. One for the 4 footers and one for the incadescents.

If the florescents are the only thing on that circuit, they're only drawing about 8 amps, a couple of 60 or 75 watts lights can go on that same circuit.

 

[Nostraquedeo]

I use the garage door opener lights for this purpose. Is this a possibility for you?

 

[BetterDays]

I use the garage door opener lights for this purpose. Is this a possibility for you?

Not an option, as it only goes on when in operation.

And I normally don't use the door.

 

[BetterDays]

I'm not sure how the wiring is run in your garage Kevin, but you may be able to replace that single box with a two gang box and have two switches. One for the 4 footers and one for the incadescents.

If the florescents are the only thing on that circuit, they're only drawing about 8 amps, a couple of 60 or 75 watts lights can go on that same circuit.

I'll have to take a look at it and either run a new gangbox or find a different switch cover. I know they make 10001 thousand varieties...

 

[waltmcq]

my electrician did it for me with out me knowing until it was done. I said "what's this switch for" Him " it's for this one light so you can turn on a light to grab something and leave"
Me " What a great idea"

 

[Sokoloff]

Not an option, as it only goes on when in operation.

And I normally don't use the door.

Are you 100% sure? My opener (which is pretty bare bones price-wise) has a separate small button on the remote and separate contact closure input for "lights only".

Tripping the electric eye guarding the bottom of the door also turns on the lights.

I'm not saying yours definitely does, but it's worth a look.

 

[BetterDays]

Are you 100% sure? My opener (which is pretty bare bones price-wise) has a separate small button on the remote and separate contact closure input for "lights only".

Tripping the electric eye guarding the bottom of the door also turns on the lights.

I'm not saying yours definitely does, but it's worth a look.

My opener is from the 80's.
No electric eye.
No separate light.
Single button 'old style' opener.

 

[CrashTestDummy]

Our shop is metal-framed. I have a LED flashlight with a magnetic mount 'stuck' to an upright next to the main door. Turn that thing on, and you have plenty of light to go grab something. Heck, until I get lights hung, it's currently the ONLY light in the shop with the doors closed. If I need task lighting I simply take the flashlight with me.

When we finish up wiring things, though, I'm thinking of an incandescent light (or CF) on a motion sensor. That way, I'll have lighting for the remote camera. ;-)

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

 

[Steevo]

In my new shop, I installed four standard edison bases (screw base for bulbs) distributed evenly around the ceiling, with their own switch (first one inside the door), so that I can have quick basic lighting for those in-and-out times like you mentioned. The 16 fluorescent fixtures will only get turned on when I plan to stay a while, or need full lighting.