Garage Lighting

[RichardNew]

I have the recessed LED cans in my home garage. They're nice but I'm not real happy with the dispersion of light. That's more a problem with the cans than the type of light.

If you go with recessed cans keep in mind that you're going to need a bunch of them in a 2-car garage. Based on my experience you'll need at least 8 of them for a home garage.

LED tubes might be a much better way to go for most of us.

Richard Newton

[dicklague]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

6 x 15 = 90 watts

RIGHT! FUZZY MATH I GUESS!!

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by RichardNew

I have the recessed LED cans in my home garage. They're nice but I'm not real happy with the dispersion of light. That's more a problem with the cans than the type of light.

If you go with recessed cans keep in mind that you're going to need a bunch of them in a 2-car garage. Based on my experience you'll need at least 8 of them for a home garage.

LED tubes might be a much better way to go for most of us.

Richard Newton

Can you adjust the cans so the bulb sits a little proud of the ceiling? I know some can lights are bit adjustable. Maybe yours just needs a little tweak.

[Tremelune]

A socket extender would help that puppy's nose poke out a bit further.

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Under $10 a bulb on line for the t-8 4 footer style that you remove/bypass the ballast for.
Haven't tried them "yet". Probably get a pair to try soon.

4 Foot 18 Watt LED Linear Tube - (CE) – GreenTek Energy Systems

Just ordered a pair for $31 shipped.
I'll report back once I get them and install them.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Just ordered a pair for $31 shipped.
I'll report back once I get them and install them.

I use the 6000k 22 watt 4' ers from GreenTek

great lights, I replaced a half dozen old florescents w/ them, They had a sale this past weekend $13 a bulb

They cast a very bright white light, just perfect for my old eyes

[timmy2]

I always miss the sales.......

[Fixer]

Also consider your walls and ceiling surfaces.

Nice clean white walls and ceiling will reflect small amounts of artificial lighting.
1/3 of the lighting can be twice as bright in a space if you reflect this light correctly.
Look at how spray booths are lit so well with so few fixtures.

The same size space with stud walls and an open ceiling will be dark with twice the lighting.

As we all know good lighting is critical to a successful restoration project and the KEY element to painting. Glad we're discussing this Richard.

[RichardNew]

A reader sent me this chart. It's interesting.


Richard Newton

[autobonrun]

Originally Posted by The Fixer

Also consider your walls and ceiling surfaces.

Nice clean white walls and ceiling will reflect small amounts of artificial lighting.
1/3 of the lighting can be twice as bright in a space if you reflect this light correctly.
Look at how spray booths are lit so well with so few fixtures.

The same size space with stud walls and an open ceiling will be dark with twice the lighting.

As we all know good lighting is critical to a successful restoration project and the KEY element to painting. Glad we're discussing this Richard.

I may try these LEDs at some point. The only downside is I don't feel like rewiring 8 ballasts from a ladder right now. I don't have as much energy for extra work as I age.

I agree with the improved brightness from cleaning the walls and doors. My white garage doors had really become dingy with age and soot. I cleaned each panel back to the original white color and improved the lighting quite a bit.

What I want is a very clean crisp white light for when I'm polishing and detailing. The fluorescents are ok, just not what I would like to eventually have.

[Trackrash]

Maybe I missed it. But what is the cost effective way to light my garage?

Four foot fixture for $400? I need four. $1600? I could buy electricity for decades for that. https://store.bigasssolutions.com/lights/the-garage-light.html really?

So should I buy four 4 foot florescent fixtures and then buy LEDs to put in them?

I'm looking to install four 4 foot fixtures over my work bench to replace the LED floods that are not up to the task. I'm thinking of using these...Lithonia Lighting 2-Light White Electronic Channel Fluorescent Strip Light-C 2 32 120 GESB - The Home Depot




Other options?

[Tremelune]

The first thing you should do is finish your ceiling with something white. It will make a massive difference. The next thing you should do is research T8 vs T5 vs LED over at The Garage Journal and let us know what numbers you come across...

Interesting article:

http://www.ledsmagazine.com/articles/iif/print/volume-1/issue-8/features/straight-talk-sheds-light-on-the-leds-vs-linear-fluorescent-debate-magazine.html

[timmy2]

Drywall and white paint on the ceiling would probably double the current available light in your garage.

[triplenet]

I had same situation -white walls w unfinished ceiling.
I installed gloss white metal roofing panels instead of drywall.
What a difference!!

[Trackrash]

I have considered a white ceiling or reflectors. However the T-8 fluorescents do a good job lighting my garage as is.

What I want to do is add more fixtures over my work bench area. I tried, as you see in my pic above, to install LED flood lights. Turns out the LED flood lights are not as bright or efficient as the T-8s I have in the rest of my garage, even though they are directional flood lights. I was very disappointed.

I have searched and so far have not found a better alternative to the 4' T-8 fluorescent fixtures. I am not looking for hanging corded "shop lights", but hardwired ceiling lights.

I was hoping you all would steer me to an LED fixture that is cost effective and would complement the T-8s I already have installed.

[toddu]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

I use the 6000k 22 watt 4' ers from GreenTek

great lights, I replaced a half dozen old florescents w/ them, They had a sale this past weekend $13 a bulb

They cast a very bright white light, just perfect for my old eyes

Are you guys going with clear or frosted Greentek bulbs? My fixtures have no lenses. Work in the garage quite a bot and want it brighter.

Todd

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by toddu

Are you guys going with clear or frosted Greentek bulbs? My fixtures have no lenses. Work in the garage quite a bot and want it brighter.

Todd

These, clear

[pors1968]

I bought last year 2 short module lusio a 6 bare 20070 lumen and 4 bare 13806 lumen very please with these getting old need light.MY garage 20-30.