Garage Lighting?
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Someone mentioned T-5's As an electrical contractor I've installed hundreds of T5 ho fixtures. You can get them in 2 lamp, 4 or 6 lamp. The have an extremely reflective back plate & these things are BRIGHT! if it were me, I'd put 2 T-5 four lamp fixtures in on one switch & have some other type of light on another switch just for general lighting.
jus my .02
jus my .02
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Someone mentioned T-5's As an electrical contractor I've installed hundreds of T5 ho fixtures. You can get them in 2 lamp, 4 or 6 lamp. The have an extremely reflective back plate & these things are BRIGHT! if it were me, I'd put 2 T-5 four lamp fixtures in on one switch & have some other type of light on another switch just for general lighting.
jus my .02
jus my .02
T5 is that the indoor style grow lights and aquarium style lights? Have not seenn any for sale locally. Im building a 10X20 hobby shop and need something bright too.
Drew C.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 746
Likes: 1
From: Darlington, MD
A standard 4 foot T12 lamp costs between $1.25 and $2.00, a standard T8 lamp between $1.75 and $2.50 and a standard T5 lamp costs between $5.50 and $10.50. T5 costs significantly more than T8 and does not outperform it by the same margin. In fact, in many applications, the performance differences are negligible.
General Assumptions of Cost:
T12 = lowest lamp, ballast and fixture cost
T8 = approx. 20% more expensive than T12
T5 = 3-4 times the cost of T8
T8 is 40% more efficient than T12.
T5 is 51% more efficient than T12.
Yet, T5 is only 9% more efficient than T8. This would never justify the substantial increase in fixture, lamp and ballast costs.
General Assumptions of Cost:
T12 = lowest lamp, ballast and fixture cost
T8 = approx. 20% more expensive than T12
T5 = 3-4 times the cost of T8
T8 is 40% more efficient than T12.
T5 is 51% more efficient than T12.
Yet, T5 is only 9% more efficient than T8. This would never justify the substantial increase in fixture, lamp and ballast costs.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
T-5's are very slim tubes, about the size of your finger in dia. I can't argue that T8's are a cheaper way. i have found the lumens on a T5 to out perform T-8's...... it's a garage! What ever you use the key to keeping good light output with florescents are to keep them fresh & CLEAN! change the lamps at realistin intervales, 18 mos. Clean the lamps & the reflector twice a year, you'd be surprized as to the light you'll "maintain" by simply cleaning them..
Dave
Dave
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,140
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
In regard to your garage door covering up your ceiling while open, you might want to check into a metal rollup, like the ones they have at mini storage places. I put one up in my shop and love it.
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 4
From: Southern California
Another great idea. Going to check Craigslist. If I can find one of those heavy duty security ones, even better!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 414
Likes: 26
From: Red Rock, Arizona
Light alternatives
Thanks for the input so far guys.
Absolutely nothing wrong with fluorescents.
Just wanted to see what alternatives some of you people are using since I'm redoing other stuff in there as well ie; walls, floor, etc.
Please keep the ideas and suggestions coming!
P.S. Klieg lights? Too funny!
Absolutely nothing wrong with fluorescents.
Just wanted to see what alternatives some of you people are using since I'm redoing other stuff in there as well ie; walls, floor, etc.
Please keep the ideas and suggestions coming!
P.S. Klieg lights? Too funny!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 11
From: Southern Nevada (Pahrump)
I have (3) 8' & (5) 4' fluorescent lights in my 24'x20' detached shop. I too have lighting problems when my 16'x9' garage door is up. My father in law mounted (2) 8' fluorescent lights directly onto his door with stretchy coiled cords so he has lighting when the doors are up. I'm thinking I may go that route too.....