The Best Light Fixture Ever!

[timothylockhart]

Hello All, I read through the first few pages and last few pages of this thread and it seems like most people are recommending hard wired fixtures.
I want to light up my 24x22 Garage that has around 10ft ceilings. I have two of the Honeywell Linkable Led's Right now and they seem to do really well although I only have them hung underneath a specifically low 6.5ft ceiling. It seems like everyone's Gripe with them is that they are unfrosted and not diffused. I really really like that I can hang 10 of these off one plug and essentially light the whole garage. Does anyone have any recommendations for similiar lights that will link off of one Outlet that maybe are a bit better? I saw some clearance Braun lights at HF, 5500 Lumens 50 ish watts and 2 Frosted tubes. Seem a little less efficient and they are on clearance so I doubt I will be able to get new fixtures if any burn out. I may just go with the Honeywells and frost them myself if I notice myself looking at the dots, if there is not a similiar ease of use alternative. Willing to spend a little bit more money for a better light though.

 

[nastorino]

Any change in the 4' LED tubes recently? I have purchased the Maxlite fixtures mentioned in the first page.

LSS2XT8USE4803

www.maxlite.com

Now it is finally time to order my tubes. I have done some research and found a couple choices. Not sure which is best.

https://www.1000bulbs.com/fil/products/211953#detail-tabs $178.67 Case of 25

https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/L48T8-8-17P-G7R-DW-p/l48t8-8-17p-g7r-dw.htm $138.25 Case of 25. I "think" I can get free shipping with a phone call. Not certain on that.

The ones from 1000bulbs have a higher Lumin number @2200 as compaired to the LEDlighting @2400 lumins. Also 40.00 higher priced, not much if the higher lumin number matters, but no sense in spending more than needed.

Are either of these choices good, better, best? Or is there a better deal out there?

Fixture has power on single end. No ballast. 120v

I've had my Maxlite twin tube fixtures and Greentek bulbs installed for almost 3yrs now and not a single issue with the bulbs or fixtures. The only damaged sustained was when I knocked over a fixture during the initial install. I would still recommend both.

Just this morning I was looking into purchasing a few for my basement. It looks like the price for the fixture alone is up from $15 at Bees to $36. Yikes.

 

[Richsoucie]

So I ended up getting 14 of these https://www.gecurrent.com/indoor-lighting/suspended/lumination-lis for $250 with free shipping put 10 in the garage

 

[dave*99]

^^ Looks bright. I'd have to move either the lights or the fans. To remove the stroboscopic effect from the fan spinning below the lights.

 

[Richsoucie]

^^ Looks bright. I'd have to move either the lights or the fans. To remove the stroboscopic effect from the fan spinning below the lights.

Yeah its not awful but definitely noticeable. Lights are spaced per ge specs and they are bright. Should've moved the fans back and inward or just inward and got one of those wall mount openers. Although they probably won't get used much, originally got them because i was going to have a big thru wall a/c / heater and ended up getting a ductless unit with a head on each wall

 

[aragno]

These are the lights I ended up with. Found them locally so that made the decision pretty easy.

Garage is 22x24 with 9'-6" ceilings. According to cybrdyke the bulbs used have a wider spread of light and are a good choice for our lower ceiling heights. After seeing them installed I agree with his opinion on that one.

https://www.prolighting.com/t442ssubcxx00p0-18w5k.html

I am new to this lighting stuff but how do these mount? Do I need to install a workbox above the center of each light fixture for the wiring and to attach the light to?

What if I have 4 of these in a row, end on end? Any way to link them or will I need to jump my wiring from workbox to workbox?

I see these lights have no ballast, is that something I need to purchase for each one? If so, any recommendation?

 

[Richsoucie]

I am new to this lighting stuff but how do these mount? Do I need to install a workbox above the center of each light fixture for the wiring and to attach the light to?

What if I have 4 of these in a row, end on end? Any way to link them or will I need to jump my wiring from workbox to workbox?

I see these lights have no ballast, is that something I need to purchase for each one? If so, any recommendation?

You generally put one workbox above the first fixture and connect the lights to each other thru the knockouts on the ends.

 

[aragno]

You generally put one workbox above the first fixture and connect the lights to each other thru the knockouts on the ends.

How do the fixtures typically secure to the ceiling?

 

[Terra Nova]

I am new to this lighting stuff but how do these mount? Do I need to install a workbox above the center of each light fixture for the wiring and to attach the light to?

What if I have 4 of these in a row, end on end? Any way to link them or will I need to jump my wiring from workbox to workbox?

I see these lights have no ballast, is that something I need to purchase for each one? If so, any recommendation?

Sort answer is maybe.

For fixtures like these the fixture itself can be counted as the junction box. Run romex inside the housing and make the connections there. These particular lights have a built in connector similar to a Wago. You just strip the wire and poke it into the connector. The connectors have two sets of holes so to have multiple lights wired together you just connect the wires to the second set of holes and run those to the next fixture.

You can either run everything though the attic or connect them together by conduit, that'll be up to you.

All that said, I installed electric boxes above each fixture. That gives some flexibility for the future and using different lights would be easier.

For mounting them; I noted where the trusses are and drilled holes through the top of the fixture. Once the drywall was up I attached them to the trusses with wood screws.

 

[aragno]

Sort answer is maybe.

For fixtures like these the fixture itself can me counted as the junction box. Run romex inside the housing and make the connections there. These particular lights have a built in connector similar to a Wago. You just strip the wire and poke it into the connector. The connectors have two sets of holes so to have multiple lights wired together you just connect the wires to the second set of holes and run those to the next fixture.

You can either run everything though the attic or connect them together by conduit, that'll be up to you.

All that said, I installed electric boxes above each fixture. That gives some flexibility for the future and using different lights would be easier.

For mounting them; I noted where the trusses are and drilled holes through the top of the fixture. Once the drywall was up I attached them to the trusses with wood screws.

I have a finished ceiling but before “decking” my attic for storage I thought i would at least have the wiring and mounting solution setup. Any tips for working with a finished ceiling?

 

[Terra Nova]

I have a finished ceiling but before “decking” my attic for storage I thought i would at least have the wiring and mounting solution setup. Any tips for working with a finished ceiling?

With drywall already up you can still mount boxes but it'll be a bit more challenging. With access to the backside you can install either new or old work boxes. You can always install them without boxes, that would probably be the easiest given your situation.

You can always connect the fixtures with conduit and run that all below the drywall. Would allow for easier changes in the future and access the all the wiring once the attic floor is in. There are several pictures of this kind of setup in this thread if memory serves.

 

[Terra Nova]

I am new to this lighting stuff but how do these mount? Do I need to install a workbox above the center of each light fixture for the wiring and to attach the light to?

What if I have 4 of these in a row, end on end? Any way to link them or will I need to jump my wiring from workbox to workbox?

I see these lights have no ballast, is that something I need to purchase for each one? If so, any recommendation?

Missed this question. No need for ballast with these lights. Not sure how difficult the bulbs will be to find replacements for (the place I bough them from only sells in 25 count packs, at least according to their website). They seem pretty tough, dropped one all the way from the ceiling to the concrete floor and it still worked great.

 

[cruzer23]

anyone know if we can get an update?
at least one of the links doesnt work and with the price of the fixture doubling if not more, is it still the best option?

 

[Richsoucie]

anyone know if we can get an update?
at least one of the links doesnt work and with the price of the fixture doubling if not more, is it still the best option?

Check lightup.com they have some good stuff in the clearance section that's where I got mine.

 

[access]

Has anyone come up with something better than Barrina, in terms of $/lumen? A 4ft LED strip/fixture, >85CRI

As far as I can tell, there aren't any $/lumen options ITT close to/better than Barrina.

$13 for a 4ft 5000lm/40w

The youtube shilling makes me want to avoid them. But I can't find anything in a similar price range that seems any better.

Spend $75, get a pack of plug & play 30,000 lumens. Seems easy. The vague UL discussion in the amazon reviews makes he hesitate. Unfortunately the whole budget LED bulb/fixture industry seems to be that way though.

 

[mike93lx]

Has anyone come up with something better than Barrina, in terms of $/lumen? A 4ft LED strip/fixture, >85CRI

As far as I can tell, there aren't any $/lumen options ITT close to/better than Barrina.

$13 for a 4ft 5000lm/40w

The youtube shilling makes me want to avoid them. But I can't find anything in a similar price range that seems any better.

Spend $75, get a pack of plug & play 30,000 lumens. Seems easy. The vague UL discussion in the amazon reviews makes he hesitate. Unfortunately the whole budget LED bulb/fixture industry seems to be that way though.

If it's too good to be true, it probably is. They can lie about a spec without any recourse.

If they have to flood youtube for sales, they are probably faking it

 

[Richsoucie]

Has anyone come up with something better than Barrina, in terms of $/lumen? A 4ft LED strip/fixture, >85CRI

As far as I can tell, there aren't any $/lumen options ITT close to/better than Barrina.

$13 for a 4ft 5000lm/40w

The youtube shilling makes me want to avoid them. But I can't find anything in a similar price range that seems any better.

Spend $75, get a pack of plug & play 30,000 lumens. Seems easy. The vague UL discussion in the amazon reviews makes he hesitate. Unfortunately the whole budget LED bulb/fixture industry seems to be that way though.

They have 6 of these left not sure how many your looking for https://www.lightup.com/ss-series-led-suspended-luminair-abc.html

 

[dacalkins]

I have been searching for lighting for my 37x20 garage. I like these but the pricing is steep. What is the lumen per sqft recomendation?

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/coll...-linear-light-fixtures?variant=41811152568471

 

[mike93lx]

I have been searching for lighting for my 37x20 garage. I like these but the pricing is steep. What is the lumen per sqft recomendation?

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/coll...-linear-light-fixtures?variant=41811152568471

There isn't one because it isn't a useful measurement. Fixture type, height, wall finishes/color all can greatly impact how much light gets to where you need it

 

[cybrdyke]

I have been searching for lighting for my 37x20 garage. I like these but the pricing is steep. What is the lumen per sqft recomendation?

https://www.obsessedgarage.com/coll...-linear-light-fixtures?variant=41811152568471

You can find similar 8' strip fixtures for significantly less. Shop around.
FYI- there's no such thing as "lumens per square foot" in lighting. It's one of those "internet" things that just wont go away.
To determine how many fixtures you need, YOU need to decide how many foot-candles you want in your space. Then, you need to have someone do a photometric layout for you. Typically, these are done by the company that you buy the fixtures from. If they dont offer one, then move on to another supplier.
Good luck,
CD

 

[dacalkins]

What is a good rule of thumb for foot-candles?

 

[FullRaceMerc]

What is a good rule of thumb for foot-candles?

Don't let 'em burn down too far or they'll mar your floor.

 

[dave*99]

What is a good rule of thumb for foot-candles?

I have 50 fc on the top of my table saw and it works well for my old eyes.

 

[dacalkins]

Yes, they have a separate driver box, which is where you make your electrical connection. The wire from the driver box to the wafer is included.

I love these wafer lights (canless recessed lighting). Can these be used in a garage? Sounds like a dumb question but I was under the impression that the garage drywall was a fire barrier and these holes might violate code.

 

[Gretz]

There seem to be a lot of suggestions/focus on the longer lighting fixtures as opposed to the wafer/canless lights. What are the recommended wafer/canless light solutions? I think they'd work better for me.

 

[mike93lx]

There seem to be a lot of suggestions/focus on the longer lighting fixtures as opposed to the wafer/canless lights. What are the recommended wafer/canless light solutions? I think they'd work better for me.

Compare the light output and spread. Using wafers requires a ton of them to get equivalent output

 

[Gretz]

Understood. I will have to do the math. This set seems to have good reviews and reasonable output: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082S1WRGV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Anyone used this or something by the same company? Sounds like DOA lights are not uncommon.

 

[FullRaceMerc]

I love these wafer lights (canless recessed lighting). Can these be used in a garage? Sounds like a dumb question but I was under the impression that the garage drywall was a fire barrier and these holes might violate code.

We recently put a bunch in a new 4 car garage build (not mine). Not exactly the same, but similar. They passed inspection here.

They were layed out on a roughly 6' x 6' grid starting 2' off of each wall. I think it was a 10' ceiling height. 6" 3,000k iIrc. The even wash of light throughout the building was very nice.

 

[mike93lx]

Understood. I will have to do the math. This set seems to have good reviews and reasonable output: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082S1WRGV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Anyone used this or something by the same company? Sounds like DOA lights are not uncommon.

I don't know anything about sunco, but I dont do no name Chinese electrical stuff.

I have used a bunch of wafers and can say that I greatly prefer the look of the slightly recessed ones over the completely flat lense models.

800 lumens, pointing down. A two lamp 4' fixture can be 3000-6000 lumens spread out much more.

 

[rcsracing]

I thought I was ready to order to after getting in-stock notification from GreenLightDepot, but then the website wouldn't let me order and when I called, they're out of stock with at least a month ETA. (which is what I heard a month ago to get to today).

40x64x16, but 18' loft with rooms underneath. Main shop that's full ceiling is 40x48, off-white panels/plywood depending on the wall.

So, looking for updated high bay info - I used HyperLite's service to estimate with their stuff, but a few things turned me away from them (including insisting on putting the light rows (same #) directly above car lift areas).

Here is what I was looking at:
110W / 2 ft / 0-10v Dim / 15k Lumen / 120* beam - https://greenlightdepot.com/products/led-linear-high-bay-110w-ul-dlc?variant=32007163805739

Replacement options -
110W / 2 ft / 0-10v Dim / 13.7k Lumen / Unknown beam - https://www.beeslighting.com/GLT-High-Bay-Lights-LHB-110W-U-50K-D10
I say unknown beam because it's not listed, and a few others with this split light style I've seen are 90* beam.

110W / 2 ft / 0-10v Dim / 13.5k Lumen / 105* beam - https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc...h-Bay-110W-5000K-p/hya-lhb2-110w2ft-h-50k.htm

110W / 2 ft / 0-10v Dim / 17k Lumen / unknown beam angle (4 pack only) - https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/2FTLHBA-110WLH-5000K-p/2ftlhba-110wlh-5000k.htm


Would anyone steer me towards/away from any of those? The middle replacement (105 beam) has the light split to two sections, and the entire unit is ~9" wide vs 12" for the other types.

Thanks!

 

[bajaislander]

I thought I was ready to order to after getting in-stock notification from GreenLightDepot, but then the website wouldn't let me order and when I called, they're out of stock with at least a month ETA. (which is what I heard a month ago to get to today).

40x64x16, but 18' loft with rooms underneath. Main shop that's full ceiling is 40x48, off-white panels/plywood depending on the wall.

So, looking for updated high bay info - I used HyperLite's service to estimate with their stuff, but a few things turned me away from them (including insisting on putting the light rows (same #) directly above car lift areas).

Here is what I was looking at:
110W / 2 ft / 0-10v Dim / 15k Lumen / 120* beam - https://greenlightdepot.com/products/led-linear-high-bay-110w-ul-dlc?variant=32007163805739

Replacement options -
110W / 2 ft / 0-10v Dim / 13.7k Lumen / Unknown beam - https://www.beeslighting.com/GLT-High-Bay-Lights-LHB-110W-U-50K-D10
I say unknown beam because it's not listed, and a few others with this split light style I've seen are 90* beam.

110W / 2 ft / 0-10v Dim / 13.5k Lumen / 105* beam - https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc...h-Bay-110W-5000K-p/hya-lhb2-110w2ft-h-50k.htm

110W / 2 ft / 0-10v Dim / 17k Lumen / unknown beam angle (4 pack only) - https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/2FTLHBA-110WLH-5000K-p/2ftlhba-110wlh-5000k.htm


Would anyone steer me towards/away from any of those? The middle replacement (105 beam) has the light split to two sections, and the entire unit is ~9" wide vs 12" for the other types.

Thanks

Which lights did you purchase? Did they achieve your goal? Would you recommend them?

 

[rcsracing]

Which lights did you purchase? Did they achieve your goal? Would you recommend them?

High bay - https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/c...-lumens-4000k-5000k-color-adjustable-100-277v

Other areas - https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/c...ble-4-foot-led-shop-light-3102-to-6204-lumens

I have not installed them yet. There were some inventory issues with some of others. LEDlightingsupply did their lighting plan for me with analysis, I made some tweaks, and I was happy. They were able to do the plan incorporating the open loft (18x40) I have in the building. I'll use 0-10v dimmer for the high bays, and use switching on the device. Overall, I was happy to work with them.

Building just got stood up this week. Next up is garage doors/gutters then concrete/in floor heat. With a 30 day return policy, I powered up each light and tried each of the settings.

This was probably not the cheapest path. However, I'm pretty confident I have way more than enough lighting.

 

[rodm1]

I will look into these thanks.

 

[RonRock]

I have several T8 fixtures installed in my shop. The ballasts are starting to go out. I want to change them over to non ballast LED fixtures. As I recall this would require replacing the "Tombstones" and of course removing the existing ballast.

Where do I buy the needed Tombstones? Or can I rewire the existing ones? My recollection is a bit fuzzy on the exacts of the tombstone replacement. Not sure if I need "shunted" or "un-shunted" or if it is a simple matter of rewiring.

 

[cybrdyke]

I have several T8 fixtures installed in my shop. The ballasts are starting to go out. I want to change them over to non ballast LED fixtures. As I recall this would require replacing the "Tombstones" and of course removing the existing ballast.

Where do I buy the needed Tombstones? Or can I rewire the existing ones? My recollection is a bit fuzzy on the exacts of the tombstone replacement. Not sure if I need "shunted" or "un-shunted" or if it is a simple matter of rewiring.

You dont need to remove or replace the tombstones. Just be sure to get tubes that are "double-end powered". They are the most common type.
CD

 

[SamYoung]

I have several T8 fixtures installed in my shop. The ballasts are starting to go out. I want to change them over to non ballast LED fixtures. As I recall this would require replacing the "Tombstones" and of course removing the existing ballast.

Where do I buy the needed Tombstones? Or can I rewire the existing ones? My recollection is a bit fuzzy on the exacts of the tombstone replacement. Not sure if I need "shunted" or "un-shunted" or if it is a simple matter of rewiring.

We did this at my church last year. Remove all the ballasts and rewired the existing tombstones. Power to one sides tombstone and ground to the other. If you snip the wires near the ballast, you should be able to rewire with all existing components except new wire nuts/wago connectors. We only had to replace a couple broken tombstones that were broke before we started.

 

[RonRock]

We did this at my church last year. Remove all the ballasts and rewired the existing tombstones. Power to one sides tombstone and ground to the other. If you snip the wires near the ballast, you should be able to rewire with all existing components except new wire nuts/wago connectors. We only had to replace a couple broken tombstones that were broke before we started.

Thanks. That is what I was hoping would be the way. I didn't know if there was some internal difference between shunted and non-shunted. Something like a resister, diode, or some other magic electrical component.

 

[cybrdyke]

Thanks. That is what I was hoping would be the way. I didn't know if there was some internal difference between shunted and non-shunted. Something like a resister, diode, or some other magic electrical component.

There is a difference, but it wont matter if you get double-end powered tubes.
Non shunted sockets have two separate pieces of brass inside. Shunted sockets have one piece of brass inside.
CD

 

[spazzyfry123]

EDIT: Apologies, wrong thread.

 

[RonRock]

Well I finally got to work on my light. Cut out the bad ballast and did some checking with my volt meter. Turns out that I have Shunted Sockets. The tubes I have will not work with Shunted Sockets. So I'm back to replacing my Sockets (Tombstones.)

Looking for suggestions where to purchase them. If possible I would like to find some like are in my Maxlite fixtures. They have Hot and neutral both wired on one end, the other end has no contacts.