N00b-in-training Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Any strong opinions on how I should layout my shop lights before I hang them tomorrow? Option A Option B Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Are these 4' or 8' light banks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted March 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 4' - 4 bulb T5 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 If they're halfway to scale, I'd say 8'. Probably the reason I don't win at roulette. If I bet black, it will be red! I'd opt for "A" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted March 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Haha. Not even close to scale. I was over exaggerating the light size in the drawing because I was texting a pic to my father in law. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 That's a tough one. If you go with option 1 you're gonna get shadowing on the long walls. If you go with B you might get some dim areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 If you will have work areas along the long walls, then perhaps dedicated lighting for that area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 How tall are your ceilings? IIRC when researching T5 lights are best for 15+ ceilings. I used this tool to lay out my lights and very happy with the light. http://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/default.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted March 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Ceiling is 14'. Attached is the likely shop tool layout. Shop3.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Option C might be your ticket! Don't know your fixture but if this one is close 110 FC is good lighting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 With dimensions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted March 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Thanks Mike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Is the ceiling rocked? Can you move them later after the tools are located if need be? I'd be tempted to hang them temporarily until you get the shop layed out like you like it or be prepared for shadows as Tom mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted March 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Ceiling is already closed in, I'll be running the electrical in flex conduit. Other than the hassle of moving them, it'll be easy to move them later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawdustcreator Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Put the 4 fixtures end-to-end down the middle of the space - with tube lamps the light comes out the sides, not the ends - what this will do is put the majority of the light over the most used work surfaces of the tablesaw and work benches, plus with 4-tube fixtures and a 14' mounting height you'll still get plenty of light bouncing off the walls and ceiling to minimize shadows. Any specific reasoning why you went with 4-tube fixtures? If I was doing it, I'd go with 4' 2-tube, 8 fixtures, end-to-end in two continuous rows mounted 4' out from the long walls. Either way, I think with such a small space, you're going to have enough light, maybe even too much to the point where it's uncomfortable to work in, but you can always take out a tube or two in each fixture to get the light level where you want it. Tony -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 BYW, here is my shop following that tool. At first I didn't agree with it but very happy that I followed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 I'm a little lukewarm about the T5 bulbs. They're super bright, which is awesome...but they kind of make me feel like I'm made of plastic when I'm under them. A very artificial feeling light (I do have "low" ceilings - 10 feet - if that makes a difference). I prefer the color of the T8s but they're not as bright. My shop lighting is a mess...no rhyme or reason for their placement, a mix of T8 and T5...a lot of lights but still not enough. They get dirty and I don't clean them. Lighting is a science and I never dug into it. All I know is I still need more...even though my neighbor says it's like looking at the sun when I have my garage door open at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Am I the only one using T-12s in my shop? 18x23 with 10 banks of 2 for a total of 20 bulbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 ==>^^^ Suppose it depends on how long ago you installed the lighting… I had T-12 for years, and then changed-over to T-8s maybe six/seven years ago. I’m not sure I’ve saved a dime, but I do think it’s an improvement… Better ballasts and the quality of the daylight tubes seem better… Don’t really know if that’s true, but it's what I tell myself… My next shop will be T5s… Anyway, I changed-over to T8s because I hated the T12’s mechanical ballasts and (crazy as it sounds) it was about the same cost to replace the entire fixture as re-ballasting the existing T12 setup… Of course, I needed a complete re-tube and that was not exactly cheap (three cases of 4’ T32 Daylight tubes – about 100 tubes)… But I really do think the quality of light is better… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 Plus they don't sound like ten zillion cicadas and they come on when it's cold. T12s are stone age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 ==>they don't sound like ten zillion cicadas and they come on when it's cold Yea. I did the shop, garage, outbuildings, etc.. I just couldn't stand the T12 ballasts anymore... Now, I'm totally T8... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Plus they don't sound like ten zillion cicadas and they come on when it's cold. T12s are stone age. Yep, I need to replace all of mine for this very reason. When it's cold, my garage looks and sounds like the set of horror movie with all the flickering and buzzing lights. I half expect some crazed dude in a bloody lab coat to step out of the corner wielding a rusty scalpel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Am I the only one using T-12s in my shop? 18x23 with 10 banks of 2 for a total of 20 bulbs. Nope, I have them too.... mostly because that's what I've always had. When I get around to re-doing my lighting, I'm considering going T8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 My t-12s don't make any noise, I run daylight bulbs. Been installed for a year. How long they stay quiet and last, we'll see. But for now it's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 I always thought it was the ballasts that made the noise. Honestly the noise wouldn't bother me much since there's always music on...IF they put out enough light...but for me they just don't. I feel poorly lit with almost a dozen T8 and T5 ballasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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