Garage lighting
 

Simple question really. I am going to put up two lights ‘centered’ in my garage. Its 24x24, so I’m thinking that I should either put them 6 or 8 feet from the outside of the garage. 6 feet would space them 12 feet apart, and 8 feet would make them 8 feet apart. What is going to give me the best coverage?

I know the ‘correct’ answer is more is better, and two lights aren’t enough. But this is a place that I am getting out of, and I just want to get something in that’ll light it up for showings.

I would just put up two 8ft 2 bulb flourescents centered over each bay.
8 feet from each side wall. Should give you enough light to make it presentable.

Centered over each bay is fine if you want two very well lit roofs. Better to center them over where you plan on working.

When centered over the bays you'll have shadows on the wheels/tires/brakes. Better to put one between the bays.

True but hes lookin for something quick just to slap up. To show the house.

In mine I have a solid strip of flourescents along the wall/ceiling junction all around the garage as well as a strip of flourescents between the bays(3 car 32x28)

Yeah, what he said, light around the cars, not over the cars. Also, light over the workbenches.

So maybe a better option that doesn't cost much more it three lights. One right in the middle, and the other two @4' feet?

I have two 8' lights over each bay in my 21 x 26 garage.

I also painted the ceilings and walls with gloss white epoxy paint which tends to brighten it up more.

Just git the electricty truned on today and have to say - I am pretty pleased with the level and scope of the light

Bright!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1176390426.jpg

Brighter! 9 fixtures each with 2 tubes on.

http://rennlight.com/shop/image/2100608a.JPG

Brightest! 9 fixtures each with 4 tubes on.

http://rennlight.com/shop/image/2100608g.JPG

Lots of lights, with multiple switches.

Wow Thom - nice!

Thom, That is great! And something I would want to do in my new place.

I assume you have two switches, each controlling 2 tubes in each light? I didn't realize they could be wired that way...

It's also nice to position the lights such that they're not obstructed by an open garage door. Or if they are blocked, then to have other lights to compensate.

T8 bulb/balasts (vsT12) will have instant-on, and much less start up flicker and humm.
Better light from 32Wea, it seems like, than the T12 40W'ers.

I like the individual control-ability, but each to their own.

Yup. Each fixture actually has two circuits.