shop lights

[CJredneck]

I have a 25x40 garage and have 10 8ft t8 lights was planning on running them in a set of 2 in line with each other about 3 ft of each side of the wall and 3 ft in between them and run it like that the whole length of the building with each set every 6ft. Does that make sence to you guys. My question is should that be enough light and should I have all on one switch or break it up on 2. Will the electric bill goes up like crazy? thanks

[D60]

That oughta be nice in a 25x40. I had 8 in my old 25x32. It was nice.

DO switch them separately; I had mine front, center and rear as they were in three rows, thus three switches. Also if any are gonna be blocked by overhead doors when the doors are open, you really don't need those turned on at that time.

NO, your electric bill won't shoot up unless you run them all day every day, but you will notice an increase during the months you've spent a lot of time in the shop.

[MuddyV8YJ]

i have a 24'x48' garage w/ 10 lights.

i have 9 of them spread out 3x3 in the front 2/3 of the garage, and 1 crosswise in the back "storage" area of the garage.

keep the lights where you will be working. no need to have 3 in the way back for just the storage area.

absolutely split them up with switches.

i saw a jump in the electric bill with the lights on.

[SuperRanger]

Mine is 30 x 40 and I am planning 9 or 10 lights. I plan to switch the front third seperately and I guess I will split the rear third. I am considering having every other light on one circuit or the other so I can have no light, light, and bright light. I figure warm, sunny days I will only need half of the rear third on. Make sense?

[deke]

Someone has to have the info on comparing the rows and rows of florescent lights compared to some commerical units. HID? sodium? What else is out there?

[Gummi Bear]

Deke, are you asking about what's most economical? Most lumens (light output) per watt?


In a building this size, strips are the way to go. If you can afford it, the T5HO fixtures are hella bright, and use very little energy, but they are costly up front.

For most home shops, a good T8 fixture is sufficient, and reasonable enough to operate. I like to get the 8' fixtures that use 4-4' lamps, I don't like to stock 8' tubes for spares if I can avoid it, due to space and breakage.

Most HID fixtures, require a higher ceiling height than most folks run in a home shop to get the full potential out of the light. IMO, even a low-bay fixture doesn't have the light distribution that a good high bay at 30' will have.

[lcruzrlvr]

as you wire the switches, makes sure you are installing the correct number of lights for the amperage.

Commercial switches are 20amp while residential switches are 15 amp.

[PhantomEB]

Hell I say the more switches the better, split them in quarters of the shop. That way if you dont need certain lights in a specific quadrant(s) you dont have to have them on. I find its more fun to work in one quadrant and leave the rest off. Saves power thus coin especailly when the other half whines she needs you to fix something and only have to run out for one certain tool.

[jeepn4life]

my 2 car garage has 3 110W regular lights and 12 40 watt florecents.... Wish I had more

[Rudezuk]

at my new shop, there are a total of 5 13x25' bays.

In each bay, we installed 3 4bulb 4' t-12 light fixtures....

Each bay is on its on light switch, and when you turn the lights on, you ready to get a tan :D

The guys im renting the shop from (my spotter and his dad), gave me the lights to hang up, they are office building take outs.

[bikebumIII]

I say get a 6gang switch box and switches, then you can turn each one on when you want to. Maybe add dimmers to....lol........Go with every other one. This is how we set them up in warehouses. Personally I would go with 2 switches. I am always using some sort of light under the car as well so there is plenty of light. unless you want to put mirrors on the ground...lol...j/k.....Go with the 4' tubes, much cheaper than the 8's. t8's are plenty cheap....if cold and winter and all lights on it might barely help heat the place. I always say there is never too much light. Hope this helps...

[jbailey]

My new shop is 30x45 I have 4 rows of 5 8' fixtures. the two center rows on one switch, the 2 outer rows on another. With all lights on it is :smokin: The center rows provide enough light for most jobs. Also have three skylights for daytime light. Only about .5 amps per fixture.