| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Mrgoodwrench 
Orange Level
Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: CHICORA PA
Points: 2087
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: shop florescent light layout
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 6:30pm |
|
this year i finally got around to building a garage/shop at home. the electricity should be in next weekend so now i have to decide how to lay out my lights. shop is 30 x40 with 12ft ceiling. i have a bunch of 4ft florescent shop lights that i want to use and convert to led. i think i have at least a dozen fixtures. how would you lay the out? there are 3 bays with doors on the 40' wall.
|
|
There are 3 ways to do job GOOD, FAST, CHEAP. YOU MAY CHOOSE 2. If its FAST & CHEAP it won't be GOOD, if it's GOOD & CHEAP it won't be FAST, and if its GOOD & FAST it won't be CHEAP!!!!
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
john(MI)
Orange Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: SE MI
Points: 9262
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 7:05pm |
|
I'd put them in down each side of each bay and across the front. Get smart plugs and connect each bay to one plug. Name the bays, like bay 1 ,2, 3, Then program alexa to turn on or off whichever bay you want or turn on all. Add lights wherever else you need them and identify them to alexa. You can even have her turn on the tv. The 4' single bulb led are super bright. You can plug two together to make 8' foot lights. Put up osb sheathing for the ceiling and paint it white before the lights go up. It will add significantly to the brightness. I don't know what the price is on smart receptacles but the little round plug in smart plugs are probably a cheaper way to go.
|
|
D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446
|
|
steve(ill)
Orange Level Access
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 87623
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 7:10pm |
|
Why take old lights and convert to LED... You can buy 60 or 100 watt equiv screw in bulbs for $1. each ........ i just buy the elect box and sockets and install at 6-8 ft intervals.. You can have a couple switches to turn on front- back.. or 1-2 bays if you dont want all the lights on at the same time.
|
|
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
|
|
jaybmiller
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 24655
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 7:41pm |
hmm..if I read it right , you've got 3 bays, each about 13 x 30.
Get some 1/4" square paper and draw a 'bay' out.each square is 1' x 1',easy for me to see... Now split into 6 'sections',6.5x10 squares. fill in a 1x4 rectangle(4 squares) centered in each 'section'. This represents a light fixture.So there will be grid of 6 fixtures at grid positions 4-5,4-15,4-25,10-5,1-15 and 10-25. It'll make more sense when you draw it out, believe me. It's a LOT easier to try again on paper than up-down a ladder all day !!
Yes ,I know it's a lot of lights, I have 10 in my 24 x 24 garage, still not enough. It really helps to have the ceiling and walls painted white. Each 'bay' should be on a separate switch. I replaced the original 'one lightbulb' base with a quad receptacle box. two lights get plugged into it,so I can easily add 1 or 2 more. Also if one unit fails, I can just unplug,remove, install another in minutes..NO rewiring necessary ! Now if you buy high brightness ( 10K lumen) units , you won't need as many.
|
|
3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
|
|
Mrgoodwrench
Orange Level
Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: CHICORA PA
Points: 2087
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 7:52pm |
 steve(ill) wrote:
Why take old lights and convert to LED... You can buy 60 or 100 watt equiv screw in bulbs for $1. each ........ i just buy the elect box and sockets and install at 6-8 ft intervals.. You can have a couple switches to turn on front- back.. or 1-2 bays if you dont want all the lights on at the same time. |
several of the fixtures have bad ballasts. it is cheaper to convert than to replace and i like the instant on and cheep running
|
|
There are 3 ways to do job GOOD, FAST, CHEAP. YOU MAY CHOOSE 2. If its FAST & CHEAP it won't be GOOD, if it's GOOD & CHEAP it won't be FAST, and if its GOOD & FAST it won't be CHEAP!!!!
|
|
steve(ill)
Orange Level Access
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
Points: 87623
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 8:02pm |
YEP... i ment instead of using the OLD CASES, i just go to screw in LED bulbs... i just question why hang old cases in a new construction.... If you really want to use 4 ft lights, i agree, it is normally cheaper to modify the old cases as compared to buying new 4 ft cases. ...
i upgraded to LED a few years ago... at that time the 4 ft kits were $30. so i scrapped the 4 ft cases and just installed boxes and LED bulbs... when one goes out it cost $1. to replace.
Edited by steve(ill) - 15 Jan 2021 at 8:16pm
|
|
Like them all, but love the "B"s.
|
|
plummerscarin
Orange Level Access
Joined: 22 Jun 2015
Location: ia
Points: 3903
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 8:07pm |
This is my 30x40 with 12ft ceiling. You can see the 4ft fixtures set end to end. I am very happy with the amount of light in here. The ceiling tin was reclaimed and haven't finished the white paint yet but still plenty bright. Sorry for the mess. 
|
|
Stan IL&TN
Orange Level
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Location: Elvis Land
Points: 6730
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 8:29pm |
|
You will need more fixtures. You can't have too many in my book. My shop is just 16x24 and I have 10 fixtures. Half led and replacing the other half as they die.
|
|
1957 WD45 dad's first AC
1968 one-seventy
1956 F40 Ferguson
|
|
Sugarmaker
Orange Level
Joined: 12 Jul 2013
Location: Albion PA
Points: 8478
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Jan 2021 at 8:30pm |
Just put a couple 4 foot LED's in the sugarhouse kitchen. Must say they are very bright! Replaced a 8 foot florescent. Good luck with your new lighting layout. I need to watch this too as my shop will need lighting at some point too! We need pictures of your shop! Regards, Chris
Edited by Sugarmaker - 15 Jan 2021 at 8:30pm
|
|
D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet.
|
|
fixer1958
Orange Level
Joined: 13 Feb 2010
Location: kansas
Points: 2434
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 16 Jan 2021 at 8:53am |
|
I bought 6-4' shop lights on Amazon for $100. Same kind Menard sells only a few bucks cheaper to replace the ones in my garage. Gotta look down when you turn them all on because it's so bright. Seeing stuff in there now I didn't want to see and things I haven't for years.
|
|
tadams(OH)
Orange Level Access
Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Location: Jeromesville, O
Points: 10870
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 16 Jan 2021 at 9:02am |
6 Pack LED Shop Light 4FT, T5 Integrated Single Fixture, 22W, 2200lm, 6500K Super Bright White, Linkable Shop Light, Utility Shop Lights, Corded Electric with Built-in ON/Off Switch
|
|
Dave H
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Central IL
Points: 3583
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 Jan 2021 at 7:21am |
Steve, I stopped by the local Menards on the way home last eve and picked up a box of leds like you posted. You guessed it, they were on the shelf on the floor.
Best deal in town. thanks for posting
|
|
