T5HO lighting implementation - 80 x 40 x 16 pole barn

[wingfootedgodhead]

Implemented a T5HO setup during February in my 80 x 40 x 16 pole barn. Very pleased with the results.

I must acknowledge the great advice I received from the Garage Journal board when I posted questions in May 2013 'T5HO orientation inquiry'. Particularly the suggestion that I go with the 8', 4 lamp fixtures.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200616



There are two separate circuits - the first is a line of 100W equivalent CFL's down the center of the pole barn, all on 120V. The second circuit is a total of 14, 8 foot T5HO fixtures, 4 lamps per fixture spaced 10 feet apart that branch off the main line and are on 240V. Temperature specification on the T5HO bulbs is 5000K. The circuits are individually wired on their own breakers, all AWG 12 inside 1/2" EMT except I did take 10 AWG on the 240V from the breaker box to the start of the 1/2" EMT run to reduce voltage drop.

All the lights are 16 feet off the deck.

Lighting circuits are individually controlled via a wireless LAN network and Elk M1 panel / iPad app via a pair of relays. A standard Elk relay for the 120V circuit and a DPST relay rated 40 amps with a secondary relay controlling the energizing coil for the 240V circuit powering the T5HO installation.

240V DPST relay specifications:

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Relays_-z-_Timers/Electro-Mechanical_Relays/Power_Relays,_Open-Style,_40A_(AD-PR40_Series)/AD-PR40-2A-12D

T5HO lighting specifications:

http://www.warehouse-lighting.com/industrial-strip-lights/8-foot-industrial-strip-light-fixture-4-lamp-t5ho-flourescent-light-120-volt-95-enhanced-miro-4-reflector.aspx


Here is the general layout of the lighting - 4 inch round junction boxes with box extension used to hold the wire nuts and anchor the CFL bulb base and the T5HO fixtures flush mounted beneath the trusses.

'Before' shot showing the main line installed with 100W CFL's. The varying K values of the CFL's are rather distracting - for future 'fix'. The scissors lift was a recent acquisition, you can pick up the 19' lift models for around $2500 used and owning sure beats the hassle of renting as I always seem to have a project that requires a lift.

It's cold in here ! Propane burner used to ward off the chill. Not the greatest as there is way too much air infiltration into my machine shed to get much more than a 20 degree heating boost from the outside.

'After' shot with the 8' T5HO fixtures blazing bright.

General layout, all fixtures were wired using 1/2" EMT. Time consuming but makes for a rock solid installation.

Light intensity measured at ground level in lumens (100W CFL's only).

Light intensity measured at ground level in lumens (100W CFL's + 8' T5HO fixtures). Warehouse lighting is anywhere from 300 to 700 lumens, so this the scheme now implemented is squarely in the middle of the warehouse range.

As mentioned, overall I am happy with the results. It could always be 'better' and the next improvement would be to replace the 100W equivalent CFL's with a higher output model plus reflectors, standardize all the bulbs to 5000K and add a manual on/off option to control at least the main trunk in case of network / iPad failure.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

You gained alot with the new lights. Now to get something on the walls (and bright white) so the reflected light goes up substantially, which will eliminate shadows. Rough and dark wall and ceiling coverings absorb lots of light.

I can see controlling fancy lighting in a house with a low voltage control system or a wireless system, but in a shop, it, to me at least, seems gee whiz. I would certainly want a manual control to bypass all the automated stuff, at least on the 120v circuit.

You can get some larger CFL's and reflectors like Veno used in THIS THREAD. and that will help alot.

Charles

 

[waggie]

I'm looking to install some in my shop, thanks for the pictures.

What was the reason for wiring them with 240V circuit instead of 110? what are the advantages of 240?

 

[alan camby]

I'm looking to install some in my shop, thanks for the pictures.

What was the reason for wiring them with 240V circuit instead of 110? what are the advantages of 240?

You can get more fixtures installed on one circuit. You have more voltage so less amperage is needed. In industrial settings, most lighting is 277volt(one leg of 480).

Depending on the setup, you could get by with smaller gauge wire.

He has a DPST relay, so why not.

 

[wingfootedgodhead]

Depending on the setup, you could get by with smaller gauge wire.

at 54W per bulb, the shop T5HO lights in this setup are drawing over 3000 watts. Putting the circuit on 120V would mean 25 amps --- and #8 AWG wire. It would be difficult, time consuming and costly to work with #8 due to size and stiffness.

 

[wingfootedgodhead]

You gained alot with the new lights. Now to get something on the walls (and bright white) so the reflected light goes up substantially, which will eliminate shadows. Rough and dark wall and ceiling coverings absorb lots of light.

I can see controlling fancy lighting in a house with a low voltage control system or a wireless system, but in a shop, it, to me at least, seems gee whiz. I would certainly want a manual control to bypass all the automated stuff, at least on the 120v circuit.

You can get some larger CFL's and reflectors like Veno used in THIS THREAD. and that will help alot.

Charles

Thanks for the encouragement. I literally started with one incandescent bulb dangling off a piece of romex.

Covering the walls - dying to get the time to go OSB on the walls - it's a big project though. The added benefit is that it saves the existing bat insulation, which is slowly disintegrating.

Automation - have an existing system installed and for me its easier to add relays than to wire in the manual switches. Your mileage may vary.

 

[waggie]

How far apart are the rows? I have 27x68x18, and have picked up more of these t5ho fixtures

 

[wingfootedgodhead]

It's a 80 x 40' machine shed, the trusses are spaced 10 feet apart and the lights are fourteen foot apart on the width of the shed. Around the garage doors I went to twenty feet apart to avoid interference with an open door.

 

[tojoski]

Are the T5HO's distractingly bright?

I am considering using these in my 30x50 but at about 13' height.

 

[waggie]

Are the T5HO's distractingly bright?

I am considering using these in my 30x50 but at about 13' height.

they can be. Although, at 13' off the ground, it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Perry H]

Thanks for the reference material guys. I just replaced three single incandescent bases with these things in my 3 car garage. I have tons more light now...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=343262&stc=1&d=1400974906