Hot Rod Forum banner

affordable garage lighting

12K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  montea 
#1 ·
the garage i currently am in is 16.5 feet wide and 21 feet long and has 2 60 watt bulbs that just dont cut it. im wanting to put in some lighting but it has to be taken down when i move. price is a concern, dont want to spend alot. looking at $150ish give or take.

how would 6 48" floresent double bulb lights with 35Watt bulbs be. walmart has some for $12 for regular or $16 for the winter type good upto -18c(0F) w/ pull cords, + the bulbs. 1 multi outlet 25 foot cord(outlets along the cord) to run down the middle of them all and just plug them in to turn on.

aproxx how many would be best for my garage size? any idea/opinions would be awesome thanks :thumbup:
 
#2 ·
Liteing

That should be plenty..tho I would put them on a switch and put your outlets on a seperate circuit to run your tools..And get the winter kind..Actually 3 fixtures laid across should do it fine..probably you will want a drop lite for some things..

OMT
 
#3 ·
if it is going to get cold in the garage, ie. under freezing, then you'll need high-output fixtures and lamps. if you go that way go with 8-footers as they're easier to get parts for and replacement ballasts are cheaper. a 2-lamp 8' H.O. fixture will put out as much light as a 400W metal-halide. all around they are pretty good dollar for dollar.

anyway, if you're just going to use 4' industrials i would use 4 fixtures and run them lengthwise with the shop. i would set them in about 4' from the walls and 5'or6' from the ends. i only have 3 fixtures in my shop and it's 18'x24' and the lighting isn't bad but could be better, so 4 would do well IMO.

JB
 
#4 ·
I'd go with the 6 low temp fixtures-place 4 for general lighting and put the others over workbench or other location where add'l light may be needed.If possible,place general ltg. fixtures so that they will light up under a open hood.
Instead of using extension cords,wire fixtures into existing 6o watt fixtures with mc cable sized to existing circuit breaker,so they use existing switch.

Another tip-paint cieling and walls white or other reflective color to make best use of lights.
When it's time to move out,just remove fixtures,spackle holes,and putthe old lights back up.
Disclaimer time-if you don't feel comfortable doing electrical work yourself,get help from someone who knows what he's doing.And above all,work safe,turn off circuit before starting work.
Good Luck,George :cool:
 
#5 ·
thanks for your replys

im going to pick up 4 low temp 4 feet lights, plus my 1 4 foot lamp above my bench i already got

these lamps say they use the T-8 1" 32 or is it 34watt or a t-12 1.5" 40 watt bulbs. ive went to 3 differnt stores and only found T-8 wich were $5 a peice, thats pricey. do i need these kind of bulbs or can i go with a f34 or somthing. they are $.75 a piece. or do these bulbs not work in the cold weather lamps?
 
#6 ·
Check on ballast label inside of fixture-that will have a list of what lamps will work .
The F-34t-12 lamps will probably work in cold weather,but won't come up to max. brightness right away.When very cold,lights will appear dim and gradually
brighten as they warm up.
I don't know how well the F-32t-8 lamps will work in the cold.
For outside signs in areas where temps can be below freezing,High Output lamps and ballasts are used,but these are much more expensive and can't be put in standard fixtures.(lamp ends and lampholders are different)
HTH,George :cool:
 
#7 ·
You may not have a problem with heat up there in Canada, but I found that when the fixtures are mounted directly to the ceiling the ballast's don't last very long. I suspended the fixtures from the ceiling with the supplied chains and have yet to replace a ballast in over six years.

Vince
 
#8 ·
montea said:
thanks for your replys

im going to pick up 4 low temp 4 feet lights, plus my 1 4 foot lamp above my bench i already got

these lamps say they use the T-8 1" 32 or is it 34watt or a t-12 1.5" 40 watt bulbs. ive went to 3 differnt stores and only found T-8 wich were $5 a peice, thats pricey. do i need these kind of bulbs or can i go with a f34 or somthing. they are $.75 a piece. or do these bulbs not work in the cold weather lamps?
i don't know where you went for your T8 lamps, but $5 a piece is a ripoff. we sell them for about $2.30/ea. go to a wholesaler if you can.

i'm not sure about the cold-temp ballasts for T8's i think you can get a 0-degree C ballast, but under 0 isn't very common, i don't think.

JB
 
#9 ·
johnnymopar said:
i don't know where you went for your T8 lamps, but $5 a piece is a ripoff. we sell them for about $2.30/ea. go to a wholesaler if you can.

i'm not sure about the cold-temp ballasts for T8's i think you can get a 0-degree C ballast, but under 0 isn't very common, i don't think.

JB

And where is it that you sell them at? Thanks
 
#10 ·
302/z28 is right on about using the chains. i've never had to replace a ballast and most have been there since early '89. The chains are great for when you whack the light with a 2X4, it'll swing instead of shatter.

i don't have cold weather lights, neither home depot or lowe's has them. it sure would help in the winter.

my garage is 20X20-ish inside (i think) i have 7 4 foot dual lights. 3 along one side, 2 along the back aimed for working under-hood, one in the middle towards the back, and one along the other side of the garage. they are arranged so the garage door (when open) doesn't block them. if its dark and i'm working on the right rear brake i have to use my halogens.

i have a new door with windows at the top, i'd like to put lights over that.

good luck :D
 
#12 ·
OK so i went with 5 total 4 feet double bulb lights. cold weather rated with T8 bulbs(found pack of 10 for $25 a lot cheaper heh), and a 25 foot extension cord with 4 outlets spaced 8 feet apart.

-4 lights(already had one) $80 on sale for 1/2 price reg 160
-10 T8 contractor bulb pack $25
-25 foot extension cord w/ multi outlets $50
-hangers/hooks $6
Total = $161 CAD

affordable and does a great job, comparing to the 2 100watt bulbs it was night and day difference. the best part is when i move it comes with me.

Thanks for all the help guys!

took a couple pics
 

Attachments

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top