| Author | Message | ||
     Whistler |
I am trying to figure out how many lights to order for my garage, 24'x40' with a 16'x24' extension. The lamp type is a hanging pendant (think old gas station type) with a 16" shade. The bottom of the shade will be approximately 8' from the floor. I want good coverage. Inside of the shade is white porcelain. Need to know what diameter down to the floor the light throw from each lamp will be using a typical 75w bulb (don't know what I will end up using but just looking for something standard to measure). I realize this may not be the best way to light the building but it is a spousal compromise I am willing to live with. Thanks. I appreciate all help. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
I've read that it should be something like 1.5w per square foot for general lighting and 2.5 for kitchen. So my thought is 1.5w/sqft for the most part and then additional lighting where needed i.e. work bench etc. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
So not taking into account actual shape our other specific factors using a 75w lamp your would need 27 fixtures. | ||
| Two_seasons |
I'd have the lighting on a couple of circuits. I'd also have the lights work in switchable "blocks of light" as you need it. Maybe even have a "ring of lights" at about a chair rail height, in the area where you would be working on the bikes. Don't forget to have on hand a couple of intense portable LED flood lights. A lot cooler than traditional halogen lighting. | ||
| Strokizator |
How big a diameter the light throws depends on if the bulb is recessed or not. It will take a lot of incandescent fixtures. Instead of watts per sq.ft you may want to try to go by lumens per sq.ft. A 60 watt bulb will put out 800 lumens and a 100W bulb about 1600 depending on the style (look on the package). A good number is 15 lumens/sq.ft. & up 35 for a kitchen. I've got a 22x40 garage with eleven 1x4 2-bulb (80 watt total) recessed fluorescent fixtures which is equal to about 50,000 lumens (nice and bright). If you put a shiny coating on your garage floor the reflectivity helps too. (Message edited by strokizator on August 31, 2012) | ||
| Ratbuell |
My workshop is 30x30. I have 4' flourescent fixtures every 4' over the workbench, and in a 6' grid over the bay. I still need flashlights from time to time. It's like electrical outlets - you can NEVER have too many. If you go flourescent, make sure (unless you have HVAC in the garage) you use the "cold climate" ballasts, otherwise you get the funhouse-flicker in wintertime. DAMHIK. | ||
| Hughlysses |
If you go flourescent, make sure (unless you have HVAC in the garage) you use the "cold climate" ballasts, otherwise you get the funhouse-flicker in wintertime. DAMHIK. If you get modern florescent lights with electronic ballasts, I don't think that's a problem, AND they use less power. | ||
| Buellish |
I just picked up a Lumenyte led light strip for my lift.I have two fluorescents hanging over the lift but it was always dark and shadowed below.I haven't really used it yet but it looks like it may work well.   | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
Looks like party time at buellish's place lol. Pretty slick though | ||
| Buellish |
"Looks like party time at buellish's place lol" Yea,real festive,I had a cup of coffee and cuddled up with a White Thunderbolt under the light of a bunch of led's. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
I just put 4 banks of Flourescents in my garage last winter. I do keep the garage at 45 degrees and I did have to get the proper ballasts. There are warm temp, cool and cold. I forget the actual temps, but it seems if you want something that will work at 10 degrees, you have to choose it. Just read the specifications closely. They are not expensive. I put a bank of 4 over each stall and a bank of two over my workbench. Any guy used to going under a hood, would have put them the other direction, or over the hood section, but I don't go under the hood of my truck. That's what warranty is for. I also used Daylight bulbs. It is freakin' bright once warmed up (about 30 seconds) http://biffdotorg.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-garage- and-attic-fixtures.html | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I always go "under the hood" so I always have a couple of fluorescent tubes about 6'-7' high on the wall where cars & trucks are pulled into, spaced apart so that I'm not working in my own shadow. | ||
| Analbeard |
I have the same size garage and have ten 6ft fluorescents in two rows of five with white tubes . Should get on and paint the ceiling and wall white too.. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I got tired of florescents, perhaps because I kept buying cheap ones, but it seemed like the light was a crappy color, screw up radio receptino, are always too dim, and always either broken or too cold to work right. Bleh. So I slapped up halogen secondary lighting. During the summer, they are HOT, but I keep a fan running and the garage open anyway, so not a big deal. During the winter, they are both lights and space heaters.  They have been cheap and durable, have a nice warm color, and most importantly put out GREAT light. I've somethings thought about going back to florescents, but I've always just had bad luck with them. | ||
| Buellish |
My florescents don't like cold or damp.It's a pain in the ass when you need light and can't get them to work. The only ones that work every time are the pair that hang over my lift and are turned on by plugging them into the wall. My shop is 24' x 40' and can be pretty dark in the areas that don't get any natural light. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
It's always a good idea to paint everything white. It really helps you make the most from what light you do have. |
