[Firedup6975]

OK guys, once again I need your help and suggestions. Starting to think about the lighting in the shop. We will be doing individual bay lighting so everything isn’t burning at once. We’re thinking LEDs, but want something that doesn’t eat a lot of electricity, and is extremely bright. When I detail something, I want as much light as possible.

What are some brands you guys use or know about, and if you have any pictures that would be a great help also.

As always, thank you in advance.

[GT182]

LEDs are the way to go MaryAnn. You can even get them that replace the fluorescent tubes without any wiring changes, or removing the ballast. I was checking them out this morning at Home Depot. Direct replacements.

They're what I'm planning to use in my garage. I have 4 4 tube fluorescent fixtures that I might only need 1 LED strip in.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by GT182

LEDs are the way to go MaryAnn. You can even get them that replace the fluorescent tubes without any wiring changes, or removing the ballast. Direct replacements.

They're what I'm planning to use in my garage. I have 4 4 tube fluorescent fixtures that I might only need 1 LED strip in.

Shop is wired 220 for the lift, and there’s no lighting as of now. These buildings were built 2 years ago, and we’re finally getting on it now that my house is pretty much done. Can’t get the TA started until we have the shop ready to go. The first pic the bigger shop is the building in question. My 3 car garage just has fluorescents.

Thanks Gary

[Sirrotica]

MA, I have these in my garage, bought at Costco. 2 pack for $40 ($20 per double 4 foot fixture) is hard to beat. I had fluorescent lights here when I moved in and have replaced them all with these Feit LED shop lights. Instant on in cold weather and no ballasts or tubes to go bad. I've had the oldest/first ones for 3 years now, completely trouble free.


Link: https://www.costco.com/Feit-4'-Linka...100462723.html

[Firedup6975]

Thanks Brad, don’t use Cosco, but maybe look into those somewhere else.

[Chief of the 60's]

LED is the only way to go. At least twice as bright as fluorescent and uses about half the power. Sam's Club has a 10 for $299.00 deal on Honeywell - https://www.samsclub.com/sams/linkab...rod21062241.ip

[JKGTO]

I have those Honeywell LED fixtures and really like them. You can link like 10 together off one outlet. I have 4 inline linked with the included cable which is like 5 foot long.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by JKGTO

I have those Honeywell LED fixtures and really like them. You can link like 10 together off one outlet. I have 4 inline linked with the included cable which is like 5 foot long.

Yes, I have the very 2 middle ones linked. They took the place and are brighter than the 2 - 4 bulb suspended ceiling lights I had in that spot. The lights are so bright now they messed with the camera when I took that shot.

[Stuart]

Over on the Garage Journal forum, member Platonic Solid has been kind enough to do a lot of research into light fixtures and also to provide lighting layouts for a variety of garage sizes and configurations. Take a look through the two sticky notes at the top of the lighting sub-forum: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...splay.php?f=30

[Goatracer1]

I just bought LEDs today to replace the fluoresents that have been there. The garage is detached and when it is cold the lights take a long time to become bright. My grandson found a local store that has pallet loads of them and only wanted $5.00 per 4 ft length. Between my grandson and I we bought 6 cases of them. We installed 5 of them in his 12x16 ft shed and they worked out great.

[Jack Gifford]

I hung a suspended ceiling over most of the 2nd floor vehicle storage space in my old farm barn, and included eight 2' x 4' LED panels- bright white (6,000k?), direct-type (not reflected), about $70 each w/drivers. It's like daylight! Each panel only draws 0.5 amps.
I liked them so much I bought three more panels and hung them in the garage (they are only about 1" thick and very lightweight) in place of three double 4' fluorescent fixtures. These are the reflector type for less glare, but still illuminate like daylight.

[dataway]

LED baby ... I've only got two florescents left.

So not going to miss the humm, the bulbs, the flickering. $40 for a decent fixture ... I'll be dead before I have to change it.

[72pontiac]

where I work we have an engineer that researches best price lumens energy efficiency and what not on everything we purchase. we just lighted our shop with 2x4 high bay led's that are beautiful and functional. I could get you the specs and pictures if you would like.

[GRX]

Another vote for LEDs. Stay away from "warm white" and go for 6500k if you can. Much better for a work environment.

One thing I would avoid is the cheaper fixtures like you see on Amazon and the like. Not UL certified, and in my experience they often create a lot of radio interference. 4-ft tubes were great but could not even listen to an FM radio within 100 feet of the units without a lot of static.

[bird72]

It doesn't relate to shop lights typically, but when doing LED's with dimmers, you get into compatibility stuff. Must use new dimmers, and not all LED tubes work with, and some require additional wire. Old dimmers will kill life on new LED's. I am changing everything everywhere to LED. For house, have to watch the color of light, some are too white.

[Firedup6975]

Thanks for all the in put we will but flush mounting the lights, and Mike has a plan for spacing etc. we did find out Lowe’s has a commercial dept, that has quite a few different units. We will also check into those mentioned here. Will let you all know what we went with.

[FirebirdHank]

For old fashioned screw in bulb ceiling fixtures they make an led light that gives the look of a can light. I replaced all of the ceiling lights in my garage and am very satisfied with the light out put and looks. I think the only incandescent lights left in my house are the ones in the oven and frig. I don't think anyone makes leds for those yet.

[1965gp]

I was going to mention those can light conversions. We had flush mount can lights all over our house and I have replaced all of them with the LED kit. I bet there were 35-40 of them all over the house. No issues with the dimmer switches so far.

[george kujanski]

I replaced 16 4 foot fluorescent tubes with LED tubes, 5000K daylight variety. It is now like daylight in the garage. LED fixtures are the way to go. My lighting is about 350 watts, total.

George

[dataway]

Even though I am almost done converting the entire shop to LED, I still run a couple of incandescent lights for the "mix". Makes for a well lit shop, but also a more comfortable feel, makes the shop feel less harsh to me .. and sometimes I need it to feel homey.