Shop lighting - any recommendations?

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MileHighDart

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So I've been working on updating/upgrading the garage at my new place. The building is far from new, probably built in 1920 same as the house. Already replaced all the electrical outlets with new ones, and new 12ga wire all around the inside of the garage, turns out there wasn't even a ground wire for any of the outlets. But that's all better now, grounded, GFIC protected.

So, time to work on the lighting. It currently has 3, 8ft florescent fixtures that look old as time itself. They are coming out.
Thinking of going LED fixtures, but really have no idea what to buy, or how many. Building is approximately 20'x40' and 10' ceiling.
What have you used? Any recommendations welcome for type, quantity, brand, placement ,etc. Couple of pics attached to give you an idea what I'm working with. I want it nice and bright.

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I bought six led shop lights at Sam’s Club for 20 bucks a piece for my 28x30 shop and am very pleased with the overall brightness. PS my home was built in 63 and ground wires were not required then.

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I just put these in. What a difference really bright 30 bucks at Lowe’s. Have the other one installed now. My garage glows.

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These were all four foot, four lamp fluorescent troffers that I converted to LED. My theory is you can't have too much light. In fact, this design is for 75 lumens/ft2 and I wish I had gone with more.

Shop Air.JPG
 
6PakBee said:
These were all four foot, four lamp fluorescent troffers that I converted to LED. My theory is you can't have too much light. In fact, this design is for 75 lumens/ft2 and I wish I had gone with more.

View attachment 1715797593
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How did you convert these? New ballast and led strips? I've got these boxes hanging in my garage.

Thanks,

Riddler
 
These are the LED retrofit tubes I used and the procedure.
 

Attachments

  • Double-Ended LED Installation Guide (Amazon).pdf
    994.3 KB · Views: 185
Joey threw up some LEDs on ebay a few years ago and I got those. Bright af as the kids say.
 
I used the 4' LED lights from Costco. They were about $30 a pop. My floor space is 20x40 and it's nicely bright in there with nine of them on the trusses. I'm of the opinion you just about can't have too much light in a shop.

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RustyRatRod said:
It appears it's not bolted to the floor. How sturdy is it with a car on it?
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Correct, it's just sitting there on the floor. I didn't want to drill it in until I made sure I liked it's location. It's an 8000# lift, and I've had my truck (4300#) and my buddies truck (7400#) on it with no issues. I'm pretty sure I will anchor it down soon. I'm OK with the position.
 
Riddler said:
How did you convert these? New ballast and led strips? I've got these boxes hanging in my garage.

Thanks,

Riddler
Click to expand...


i cant speak to 6packs set up, but i have converted a few of them myself
the LED usually take "straight" 120

so all that is required is bypassing the ballast, or removing it completely...you're a mopar guy, that should be no problem
 
RustyRatRod said:
It appears it's not bolted to the floor. How sturdy is it with a car on it?
Click to expand...

Duh, maybe I should answer your question, yes? It's super sturdy and solid even though sitting loose on the floor. I'm going to shim it so it's completely plumb and level and all, then sink in some redheads to secure it.
 
Mopar Momzee said:
What’s with the hole in the floor adding footing for car lift?
Click to expand...

Well, yes and no. The original bathroom was in the middle of the floor and that opening was for plumbing access. I ended up removing the majority of the floor to install floor heat and in the process relocated the bathroom and installed an in-floor hoist.
Here's a couple pics of the hoist installation.

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6PakBee said:
Well, yes and no. The original bathroom was in the middle of the floor and that opening was for plumbing access. I ended up removing the majority of the floor to install floor heat and in the process relocated the bathroom and installed an in-floor hoist.
Here's a couple pics of the hoist installation.

View attachment 1715797976

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That’s cool looks good
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halfafish said:
Duh, maybe I should answer your question, yes? It's super sturdy and solid even though sitting loose on the floor. I'm going to shim it so it's completely plumb and level and all, then sink in some redheads to secure it.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've seen a couple of local guys just leave them loose on the floor. I guess if you ain't in earthquake territory you got nuthin to worry about. LOL
 
Well, I just ordered some LED lights of amazon. 8' ten pack Around $150. Think these should do the trick. I'll post pics after I get them installed.

lights3.jpg


lights1.jpg


lights2.jpg
 
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