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The Best Light Fixture Ever!
- Thread starter Platonic Solid
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Platonic Solid
Well-known member
At 12ft mounting height, if this is for wrenching I would opt for a 3-Lamp strip light like this: https://www.prolighting.com/commercial-lighting/ledready/t443ssubcxx00p0-18w5k.html
Planenutz
Well-known member
OP
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
AMFJ - Is this a typical 2 car, 2 garage door garage for wrenching?
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Platonic Solid
Well-known member
AMFJ - 24x24x12 assumed 24 is exterior dim, thus 23x23x12 interior
Qty.12 3-Lamp 8000 lumen strip lights installed as detailed in this PDF report (link).
Qty.12 3-Lamp 8000 lumen strip lights installed as detailed in this PDF report (link).
MattRMagnum
Well-known member
My garage only had two bulb outlets in it (p.o ripped out 90% of the electrical from the garage due to a tenant. Long story), and so I needed the most bang-for-buck brightness I could get, without adding more lighting fixtures. So far, this thing wins. I've yet to find a stateside source for them, but they're amazing, if you need something that'll light up a garage, and only use a standard bulb fixture.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32880347518.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32880347518.html
OP
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
MattRMagnum - See below from another thread.
Typical Chinese BS = No UL, No DLC, plus the fancy car pics in their add aren't using the bulb they're advertising. 2 year warranty from China is pointless since return shipping would be more than the cost of the product.
Typical Chinese BS = No UL, No DLC, plus the fancy car pics in their add aren't using the bulb they're advertising. 2 year warranty from China is pointless since return shipping would be more than the cost of the product.
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Thank you! Lights have been ordered. I really appreciate your help.
WOULD THIS BE TO MANY LIGHTS? I want to have at least 105 fc.
I have built a 32 x 32 addition to my shop. Shop is for wrenching on vehicles.
The walls are 14' height'. Walls are osb that is poainted eggshell white.
The ceilling is 2/12 inner pitch scissor truss type with white pbr metal panels , goes from 14' to 16' 8".
I was going to use commercial electric 2' ,18000 lumen , 160 watt fixtures with the dimmer circuit connected.
I would install 12 fixtures in 4 x 3 pattern with the lights oriented to have the 3 rows going side to side and the 4 rows going front to back. There are 2 10x 10 garage doors on the front.
I would rather have more light than required and use dimmer to subdue light is needed.
I have built a 32 x 32 addition to my shop. Shop is for wrenching on vehicles.
The walls are 14' height'. Walls are osb that is poainted eggshell white.
The ceilling is 2/12 inner pitch scissor truss type with white pbr metal panels , goes from 14' to 16' 8".
I was going to use commercial electric 2' ,18000 lumen , 160 watt fixtures with the dimmer circuit connected.
I would install 12 fixtures in 4 x 3 pattern with the lights oriented to have the 3 rows going side to side and the 4 rows going front to back. There are 2 10x 10 garage doors on the front.
I would rather have more light than required and use dimmer to subdue light is needed.
Similar question....... Attached jpg, shall I stay with this idea - from cost/benefit perspective, any/all comments accepted!
I'm aiming for ~90+FC in Zone 1 my workbench area, and ~70 Zone 2 areas and ~50 in zone 3. Attached garage for cars & motorcyles with my work area in the Zone 1
& BIG shout out to Platonic Solid - you are one great guy, Thank you and others for all the knowledge sharing.
I'm aiming for ~90+FC in Zone 1 my workbench area, and ~70 Zone 2 areas and ~50 in zone 3. Attached garage for cars & motorcyles with my work area in the Zone 1
& BIG shout out to Platonic Solid - you are one great guy, Thank you and others for all the knowledge sharing.
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Innovate1
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Am at the wiring stage for a 30 x 40 (outside dim) x 14' ceiling ht building. White metal ceiling with off white painted walls. Concrete floor. Was planning to put power receptacles on the ceiling so I had some flexibility with light positioning. Will be a workshop with a variety of uses. Minimal wrenching on cars, lawn mowers, etc. Some wood and metal working. Possible milling machine. Have approx 1/4 walled off as shown in the attached floor plan. Bath corner has ceiling at 7.5 ft and will have it's own lighting. 8 x 8 mezzanine in that corner used for storage above - lighting is not a big issues there.
Was looking at the 3 bulb fixtures from prolighting.
TechBrite 48" 3 Lamp LED T8 Strip Fixture - 5000K - 8,019 Lumens - 120-277V
since they were recommended for someone with 12' ceilings.
Noticed the cord was extra. Minor detail. Can add my own for less than $9 though.
A bit overwhelmed by options. Like the idea of putting some lights near the walls for bench lighting. What are the recommendations for fixtures and placement?
Sams has Honeywell 5000 lumen fixtures for about $22 but see some negative comments for non-frosted lens and uneven light. Quite a bit cheaper than the prolight above when adjusted for lumen output but perhaps the prolight is that much better.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/5000l-lnk-shp-lt-10-led-shop-light/prod23951708?xid=pdp_carousel_rich-relevance.rr0_4
Don't need great light everywhere - I can put up additional lights where I need really good lighting.
Was looking at the 3 bulb fixtures from prolighting.
TechBrite 48" 3 Lamp LED T8 Strip Fixture - 5000K - 8,019 Lumens - 120-277V
since they were recommended for someone with 12' ceilings.
Noticed the cord was extra. Minor detail. Can add my own for less than $9 though.
A bit overwhelmed by options. Like the idea of putting some lights near the walls for bench lighting. What are the recommendations for fixtures and placement?
Sams has Honeywell 5000 lumen fixtures for about $22 but see some negative comments for non-frosted lens and uneven light. Quite a bit cheaper than the prolight above when adjusted for lumen output but perhaps the prolight is that much better.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/5000l-lnk-shp-lt-10-led-shop-light/prod23951708?xid=pdp_carousel_rich-relevance.rr0_4
Don't need great light everywhere - I can put up additional lights where I need really good lighting.
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Platonic Solid
Well-known member
Innovate1 - I assume this is a new build. What's the purpose of the 14' ceiling?
Innovate1
Well-known member
New build. To accommodate a moderate sized RV. No plans for a lift as I don't expect to do a lot of wrenching on cars but have seen some creative other uses so maybe. May get some pallet racking to be able to use some of the high space for storage. Have a hobby business that requires some stock of material and shipping boxes.
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Platonic Solid
Well-known member
Innovate1 - So you really only care about the lighting in the left front section since there will be an RV on the right?
8 of these (link) mounted close to ceiling would put you around 70fc @ 30" workplane. The Honeywell fixtures are ****, but to each his own.
8 of these (link) mounted close to ceiling would put you around 70fc @ 30" workplane. The Honeywell fixtures are ****, but to each his own.
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Innovate1
Well-known member
Long term a possible RV. But I would like to light the big, long bay (RV bay if you will). Thinking I may put the milling machine in the back of it since the RV wouldn't be nearly that long. Might put the lights on different switches so I can have less light in the sections I am not using although I doubt the savings will be much so perhaps not much point.
The 8 for 70 fc would be for what area(s)?
Don't want to buy bad lights - that's why I am here asking questions...
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Platonic Solid
Well-known member
I just grabbed a similar ~12,000 lumen output fixture to the one I posted previously for the layout. Not perfect, but you could do much worse.
Here's the Dialux PDF (link) with mounting location info. I put the fixtures at 13ft since the linked fixture doesn't have a surface mount option, thus they will have to hang.
Note to everyone else - Please don't flood me with layout requests as I don't have the time or desire to do free layouts for everyone.
Here's the Dialux PDF (link) with mounting location info. I put the fixtures at 13ft since the linked fixture doesn't have a surface mount option, thus they will have to hang.
Note to everyone else - Please don't flood me with layout requests as I don't have the time or desire to do free layouts for everyone.
Innovate1
Well-known member
Thank you! I downloaded the program but haven't messed with it yet. I would like to light the other section. I shaded the attachment with the 8 x 8 corner area that has other light coverage or doesn't need much (upper level) and also sketched in two additional lights in that area - not great for the L shape but I think it will do. How did you overlay the lighting with my outline - what program? Might try to fool with this a bit myself although that lighting looks good. As I said, if I need additional in a particular area I will add a lower standard 2 tube shop light as I have a few.
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I’ve been considering updating my garage for a few years. I’m looking for recommendations on lighting. I originally wanted to go with recessed lighting because I think it looks cleaner but after doing some research, that doesn’t seem to be the best way to go. I’d like to get this right the first time.
It’s a two car garage 31x24 with a 9 foot ceiling. Mostly just for parking, cleaning, and general house hold projects. I don’t need to light up the world but I’d like to have some quality lighting.
Thanks in advance.
It’s a two car garage 31x24 with a 9 foot ceiling. Mostly just for parking, cleaning, and general house hold projects. I don’t need to light up the world but I’d like to have some quality lighting.
Thanks in advance.
OP
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
Innovate1 - Since your PDF was exported from a CAD program I could import it into AutoCAD as a vector drawing. Scaled it up to full size. Saved that down to AutoCAD 2014 (Dialux doesn't like AutoCAD 2018-2020). Imported that plan into Dialux.
What you did in the small room looks about right. I'd have to model it to be sure, which I don't have time for right now.
What you did in the small room looks about right. I'd have to model it to be sure, which I don't have time for right now.
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Innovate1
Well-known member
Thanks Platonic! On the high bay lights - since they don't surface mount (or can they be?) how do people usually wire these up? I saw one person added short cords with plugs. Was thinking of putting up receptacle boxes for lights with plugs but wondering if there is a better/different way.
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Platonic Solid
Well-known member
Innovate1 - I'm not a sparky. See this thread
jpcjguy
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What are the dimmable options/equivalent to the MaxLite fixtures and bulbs listed in post #1?
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Platonic Solid
Well-known member
jpcjguy - None - You'd have to go for an integrated wrap fixture. There might be some obscure 4ft retrofit bulbs out there that are dimmable, but I'm sure they're expensive to the point where you'd be better off buying an integrated wrap.
jpcjguy
Well-known member
Thanks for the info. Wanted to make sure I was not missing anything before I order a bunch of lights.
Something like this: https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/BLCSLED4FT-p/blcsled4ft.htm
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pioneer1
Well-known member
Prolighting has them.
https://www.prolighting.com/led-light-bulbs/ledt8lamps.html?dimmable_db=3366
I bought some from this placebut ordered from Amazon when We remodeled the kitchen 3yrs ago for Above cabinet lighting
I have been very satisfied. I wasn't a member GJ then. But I wanted dimmable and high CRI. I purchased 2 sets of bulbs in different Kelvins to see what I liked and sent the other set back with no return shipping.
jpcjguy
Well-known member
Prolighting has them.
https://www.prolighting.com/led-light-bulbs/ledt8lamps.html?dimmable_db=3366
I bought some from this placebut ordered from Amazon when We remodeled the kitchen 3yrs ago for Above cabinet lighting
I have been very satisfied. I wasn't a member GJ then. But I wanted dimmable and high CRI. I purchased 2 sets of bulbs in different Kelvins to see what I liked and sent the other set back with no return shipping.
Thanks for the info. So is the dimmable capability is at the bulb level, not the fixture? It would be cool the get the maxbrite fixtures and then try some regular bulbs and then if I want, swap them out for dimmable down the road.
pioneer1
Well-known member
Yes, you will have to have a dimmer switch.
OP
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
Yeah, I knew Keystone made them. Didn't know ProLighting was selling them. Before shelling out $20+ for a diiming retrofit bulb, read the fine print on the Keystone dimmer compatibility doc
Worth noting that integrated wraps (link) use 0-10V dimming which doesn't have the noise issues that triac dimming does.
Worth noting that integrated wraps (link) use 0-10V dimming which doesn't have the noise issues that triac dimming does.
Just joined, and been going through a lot of the stickied lighting threads. You're a Saint Platonic!
My wife an I are in the middle of building a small L-shaped one car garage (~470 sqft), and framing is just about done. In hindsight i should have joined this site months ago, but just stumbled upon it. I need to figure out lighting for the space. Will mostly be used to work on my cars (detailing, maintenance, etc.). Ceiling is 8 foot, and will have an L-shaped workbench occupying the top left corner. I'm thinking 6-7 4ft 2 bulb T8 LED fixtures like linked in the first post. I'm undecided on 4000k or 5000k, but leaning towards 5k. I tried using the Acuity layout tool, but didn't see any place to do anything but a rectangular shape. Plans are attached, the garage door is 10' wide. Interior will be finished with white walls and ceiling. Floor will most likely be painted with gray epoxy. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
My wife an I are in the middle of building a small L-shaped one car garage (~470 sqft), and framing is just about done. In hindsight i should have joined this site months ago, but just stumbled upon it. I need to figure out lighting for the space. Will mostly be used to work on my cars (detailing, maintenance, etc.). Ceiling is 8 foot, and will have an L-shaped workbench occupying the top left corner. I'm thinking 6-7 4ft 2 bulb T8 LED fixtures like linked in the first post. I'm undecided on 4000k or 5000k, but leaning towards 5k. I tried using the Acuity layout tool, but didn't see any place to do anything but a rectangular shape. Plans are attached, the garage door is 10' wide. Interior will be finished with white walls and ceiling. Floor will most likely be painted with gray epoxy. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
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jpcjguy
Well-known member
Thanks for the info! So would you consider those dimmable integrated lamps comparable to the maxlite with greenlightdepot 5K bulbs? Looking at basic cost, it appears the dimmable option is about $10 premium per fixture.
Doing some homework on dimmers and I guess the only toggle/slide dimmer that is 0-10v is this:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Legrand-Toggle-Slide-Single-Pole-3-Way-White-Light-Almond-Ivory-LED-Toggle-Light-Dimmer/1001666606
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OP
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
jpcjguy - Not sure I understand the question.
The non-dimmable GreenTek bulb is $7.75 ea. x 2 per Maxlite strip = $15.50
The Keystone triac dimmable bulb = $20.20 ea (-7% GJ discount) = $18.79 ea. x 2 per Maxlite strip = $37.58
Difference per fixture = $22.08
None of the above options use 0-10V dimming. You need an integrated fixture for that.
Lumen output is also significantly lower with the Keystone: 3800 lm vs 5020 lm per pair.
Lots of 0-10V dimmers out there: Lutron Diva 0-10V Dimmer
The non-dimmable GreenTek bulb is $7.75 ea. x 2 per Maxlite strip = $15.50
The Keystone triac dimmable bulb = $20.20 ea (-7% GJ discount) = $18.79 ea. x 2 per Maxlite strip = $37.58
Difference per fixture = $22.08
None of the above options use 0-10V dimming. You need an integrated fixture for that.
Lumen output is also significantly lower with the Keystone: 3800 lm vs 5020 lm per pair.
Lots of 0-10V dimmers out there: Lutron Diva 0-10V Dimmer
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jpcjguy
Well-known member
Sorry for any confusion - I was referencing the integrated LED you listed before: https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/DM-ST4FT40W-50K-p/dm-st4ft40w-50k.htm that are $40.15 each(when you break down the 4-pack) and are dimmable.
Compared to the maxlite fixture for $16.21 and the greentek bulbs for $15.50 equals about $32. So about a $10 difference between the integrated
Am I comparing apples to oranges here?
(and then there is the integrated dimmable that houtan is going with: https://www.ledlightingwholesaleinc.com/E5SLB35D4-840-p/e5slb35d4-840.htm?CartID=2 that is on sale for $45 right now.
Ok - my head is swimming....
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Flat Thunder Channel
Well-known member
I originally installed regular bulb bases on junction boxes in my garage. They had / have standard incandescent bulbs; nine in total close to my ceiling. I wanted more light and my dad bought me a 4' led light and hung it vertical (with a slight downward angle) on one of the rear posts. It has super bright white light and it lights up the garage really nice. The only downside is you get the deer in the headlights effect until you learn to not look directly at the light. The garage we had growing up had industrial florescent shop lights installed on special brackets. They hung at an angle and were able to pivot left and right. They were awesome and provided excellent light for working on vehicles. I was hoping for the same effect with the led shop light. Unfortunately the brightness is just too intense. Since then we purchased a corn cob looking led bulb. It screws into regular bases and projects the light in all directions. I think I am going to purchase more of these and replace them in all the standard fixture bases. I like that they are plug in play and project light 360 degrees instead of one focal point.
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Platonic Solid
Well-known member
jpcjguy - Your comparison is correct. The Energetic is more efficient @ 5098 lm 35W vs 5200 lm @ 40W. 45.44 vs $40.15 hard to say which is the better deal. $32 if you don't really need dimming is an easy choice.
OP
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
Flat Thunder Channel - Why not mount 4ft strip lights to the ceiling like intended?
jpcjguy
Well-known member
Platonic Solid - thanks for the feedback. Yes the non-dimmable is a better deal overall. I was just comparing the dimmable options and while they are a small $5 difference, I wanted to be sure they were basically "apples" to "apples" comparison (noting the Energetic is more efficient)