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Re: Shop lights

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2023 4:53 pm
by Mojonito
Too late. Go big or go home! 😂. I’ll have pics before too long

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 8:56 am
by NickG
Depending on configuration of garage/workshop, consider also using vertical lighting in these area (by work bench, etc) where you may be leaning over your work. Helps reduce shadows from just having ceiling lighting. You can also use thin strip metal protective bars to stop them getting bumped into.

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 9:46 am
by ChuckSibio
I retired 2 years ago from the electrical business after 4 + decades. My experience was retail, industrial, outdoor & roadway, along with warehouse & distribution lighting as well as sports lighting, to name a few.
To answer the questions in my opinion...
3500 degree kelvin is the best color for neutral tones. I am sure you will be using your garage to clean & maintain your cars. Given that, light level guides are available from a group called Illumination Engineering Society. (IES) That group determines the level of light for a specific task, in "footcandles" (Fc). You will find that the suggested level is going to be at about 100Fc for a repair garage, & detailing aera. This is sufficient for most every task. Visit the IES website for a complete chart with suggested uses, light levels, placement etc. for a great design. Know your square footage, height width and length for a layout base.

Home Depot, Lowes and Menards all carry about the same thing, selected from the manufacturer's contractor or builder's series are not that good. Let's call it low end of the spectrum.
Choose a linear source with a replaceable driver and chip strip (lamp in LED terms) with some amount of up light, usually 10% is typical. This 10% up uses the ceiling to bounce light onto the floor, and reduces direct glare. Many/most manufacturers have selectable output and color built onto the light fixture so you can select what looks best in your application. These color temp. ranges are 3K to 5K Kelvin usually. Another standard feature of a good quality fixture is dimming, either across the line or 0-10 volt Class II control.
All electrical distributors have lighting departments that can help you with a layout and carry a stock of proven high quality light fixtures that perform very well, at a reasonable price. On line retailers also have this feature, but are usually hard to navigate correctly as no human help is part of that. Avoid industrial hi-bay or UFO fixtures, too bright, glary, and cheap so they run hot, as they are not designed for a low application under 14 to16'. People will argue with me here on that.
Trust me linear, 3500 degree and at 100 Fc with a small amount of up light is pure tits.

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 12:58 pm
by Mojonito
All very good recs. Thank you. I’m getting the lights in first and then will work on building the work space. I love well lit area so there will probably be more lights in my near future. I’ll post pics of possible designs to get feedback. The poke brain trust will surely think of some things I missed.

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2023 1:25 pm
by Mojonito
One row down.

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2023 7:22 am
by Mojonito
I couldn’t resist and started another project even though I only had one row in. I call it the boom buggy. A 2000 watt Bluetooth speaker 😂

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2023 7:25 am
by Mojonito
I need some tunes to finish the second row.

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:09 am
by blueline
Mojonito wrote: Sat Dec 02, 2023 7:22 am I couldn’t resist and started another project even though I only had one row in. I call it the boom buggy. A 2000 watt Bluetooth speaker 😂
Goof grief, a Sock-hop/Hoe Down/Hootenanny/Rave/Square-dance/Whatever at the Mojonito Barn. Saturday night! 8pm until?? It will be loud and extremely well lit, so no shenanigans. Bring ear plugs. Be there or be square! :P

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2023 8:11 am
by Mojonito
I don’t do anything half ass 😁

Re: Shop lights

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2023 2:47 pm
by Mojonito
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