Lights for new shop?

tomstractorsandtoys

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I am building a new shop and need some ideas on lights. The shop in 32x40 with 8ft office and overhead storage so I will be lighting 32x32 with white steel 16 ft high sidewalls and ceiling. Which is better T5 or T8 lights? What about LED's are they worth the extra cost? I am in WI so I do not want a light that flickers and takes a long time to warm up,but we are putting heat in the shop floor as well.Anyone have a source for a good fixture at a reasonable price? How many fixtures do I need? I was thinking six? Can I start with a regular light and simply add the LED bulbs latter without making changes to the fixture? Thanks for the ideas. Tom

 

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Alan K

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I have a 30 X 40 shop that I put 8 lights in (6 bulbs per light). I think they were T8s. I put them on two separate banks, 4 each, each side with separate switches to each set of 4, so I can turn 4 on the one side, 4 on the other or all of them on. That way if Im working on just one side Im only running 4 lights instead of 8. Also have 1 double bulb light above the bench so if Im only going in and out for a few minutes I don't have to use the big lights. A lot of times just 4 are adequate.

 

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2510Paul

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

It looks like you have a well organized shop. I need some ideas. Could you post a few more pictures? Paul, La Crosse, WI

 

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Gerry....WI

Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I have a buddy that added a paint booth to his shop.

Would only put in LED because they do not attract insects. Different wavelength.

He is in West Bend, WI.

Loves the brightness and instant on.

 

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IAtractorKid

Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I just built a 40x60 with 30x40 of that being finished and heated. On the finished side, I have 7 2x4' 6-bulb T8 fixtures. I have the 4000 something Kelvin bulbs and am happy with the light output...it is very bright, but not overdone in my opinion. You could go up to a 5000 something Kelvin bulb, but they have a blueish tint. My electrician said T5 would be too bright for my 12' sidewalls, and you didn't want to jump up to T5 unless you had 16' sidewalls or taller.

I have dusk to Dawn security lights on both ends of the building and bought LED for those since they will be on all night, every night.

 

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Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

The T5 HO lamps would be the better choice for florescent. You can get the troffer fixtures fairly reasonable. The chrome reflectors are a plus, direct the light down, keep the lamps clean. They come in 3 through 6 lamp configurations if I remember correctly. They make a lot of light, don't flicker when cold, long lamp life. You can check prices, get some model numbers, go to the manufacturers website and get recommendations for how many fixtures. Probably the big box stores are going to have the best prices, or Ebay, buy out of state, no tax!

As for LED, I haven't looked into the direct replacement lamps. I asked about them at the supply house, got a blank stare... "A what???"

My concern with LED, they are still developing rapidly. Prices coming down, some good, some bad, some outlandish life claims that simply aren't true. I would wait a while myself, see what becomes the industry standard before investing in something that may be outdated very quickly.

 

onefarmer

Well-known Member

Location

6735 S Lowell Rd, St Johns, Mi 48879

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I've used some LED florescent direct replacement tubes. They come in various brightness. I got the 5000K daylight. It is much brighter then the florescent they replaced.
Menards LED

 

Goose

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I just put up a 30X48 building, and put two rows of six each of four tube T8 lights. I'm well satisfied. But-I like plenty of light where I work.

A nephew of ours recently put up a building of the same size and put in LED lighting. He told me he spent $14,000 on the light system alone. Mine cost me roughly $600. Even if the T8 lights consume a bit more energy than LED, how long will it take to make up the difference?

 

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Rick Kr

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

Tom,
I have a 40x60x14, walls painted white.
Installed 4 rows, with 5 8ft lights per row (20 fixtures total)

They are cold start T8s. If I recall, they were $50 per fixture ($1000) plus bulbs.

I will try to find a picture later tonight. It lights the place up WAY brighter than I need.
If doing a lot of work I turn on all the rows. Many times just two.

Rick

 

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RJKeith

Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

First, will the shop be heated all of the time of do you start a heater when you start to work. If the shop is heated all of the time fluorescents will not be a problem, if you start heating when you start working get fluorescent lamps AND BALLAST rated for how cold your shop will be when you turn on the lights. They will still start a little dim then gradually come up to brightness.

Or use LEDs. LEDs like cold, but do not like heat. So if you use LEDs, make sure they will tolerate the heat you expect in the summer.

General rule, LEDs are more expensive, but last about 3 to 4 times as long as a fluorescent. Someone said life claims on LEDs are unrealistic, not true. An LED installed so it doesn't get too hot will last 50,000 to 100,000 hours, even those where the package only says 25,000 hours (it is a labeling regulation).

Also, you can always mix fluorescents and LEDs

Good Luck

 

Dan in Ohio

Well-known Member

Location

Mid-Ohio

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

Rick,

Have the same thing in my shop (tractor barn)and attached garage. They work very well and provide plenty of light.

 

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tim s

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I have T-5's in my shop 16' ceilings and they work out great,, I have T-8's in my pump room 11' ceilings there..I just made this light up last week end to roll around with 2 4 bulb t-8's I'm liking it a lot, I think I will make a second one..

 

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GordoSD

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I have 12 fixtures, 24 tube 8 ft long, HO cold weather in my 40x72 shop/ Have six one 2 circuits so I can light the half I am using. Have replaced 4 bulbs in 15 years. Keep shop 40 degrees when not there. Lights come on instantly.

 

Dan in Ohio

Well-known Member

Location

Mid-Ohio

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

Alan,

That is my kind of work bench, nice clean shop.

 

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David G

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

You will want high bay fixtures for a 16' ceiling.

 

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Alan K

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

Here are a couple more pictures. All I have on the computer at the moment. Got kind of a mess in there at the moment as Im finishing the inside of the door and building some shelves in the benches. Can fit 3 tractors in it at once if I need to.

 

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Alan K

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

Its messy at the moment lol. Never built workbenches before. Finished the tops with a sheet of steel. Bolted the vise on an adapting plate and then to the bench. That way if I ever need to change the vise I don't have to re-drill holes in the bench its self.

 

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ss55

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

From what I've seen LEDs use half the watts as fluorescents to produce the same number of lumens. If you don't already have fluorescent fixtures installed, it looks to be less expensive to install LED fixtures at the beginning than to buy fluorescent fixtures and retofit LED bulbs. With 16 foot ceilings you might want to consider high bay fixtures to concentrate the most light at your work zone. Maybe consult with the lighting expert at your fixture supplier.

 

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D beatty

Well-known Member

• Dec 1, 2015

• #1

I replaced 6-500 watt halogen fixtures with 6- 33 watt Led security light fixtures 3100 lumens. The building is a 40x60 and the light are about 13 foot off floor. I used cold start t8s over work bench and lathe.