Light Fixture Layout Collections

Hayden · Mar 26, 2021

I ended up using 8 of these 3 lamp led fixtures from Prolighting.com at 8,019 lumens each for a total of 64,152 lumens and 38fc in a 20x50x15h space and it is much brighter than I expected.

I can't imagine what some of these shops look like at 100+ but it seems like major overkill to me. I've worked in professional shops and mine is already brighter than those.

https://www.prolighting.com/t443ssubcxx00p0-18w5k.html

LifeLongWNYer · Mar 26, 2021

I don't want to hijack a thread, but I am just starting construction on a pole barn. I would really appreciate suggestions on fixture selection and placement. How do I send a plan drawing for your review? ....on this forum, or directly via email?

Thanks, I appreciate all comments and suggestions.

JBP

.

Hayden · Mar 27, 2021

LifeLongWNYer said:
I don't want to hijack a thread, but I am just starting construction on a pole barn. I would really appreciate suggestions on fixture selection and placement. How do I send a plan drawing for your review? ....on this forum, or directly via email?

Thanks, I appreciate all comments and suggestions.

JBP

.

You can just post dimensions or a picture right here probably.

I linked in my post just above to the prolighting.com website.

I told them what I was thinking about and they sent me details and a drawing of the recommended placement for lights along with the foot candle measurements. They were great.

cybrdyke · Mar 27, 2021

Hayden said:
I can't imagine what some of these shops look like at 100+ but it seems like major overkill to me. I've worked in professional shops and mine is already brighter than those.

You're right.
Truthfully, 100fc is way overkill. Especially for a hobbyist garage or workshop. A more sensible and economical solution to achieve appropriate levels is to use large lights to achieve a general illumination level of around 40-50fc, then add task lights in certain areas to achieve 90-ish fc. These folks lighting their entire garages to 100fc are just wasting money.
CD

Craftfab · Mar 27, 2021

cybrdyke said:
You're right.
Truthfully, 100fc is way overkill. Especially for a hobbyist garage or workshop. A more sensible and economical solution to achieve appropriate levels is to use large lights to achieve a general illumination level of around 40-50fc, then add task lights in certain areas to achieve 90-ish fc. These folks lighting their entire garages to 100fc are just wasting money.
CD

Fireball Tool posted video other week of his new shop and I think he was ******* 240-300fc on the floor. He had mentioned wanting a few hundred fc throughout. Had not read of anyone having that much.

cybrdyke · Mar 27, 2021

Craftfab said:
Fireball Tool posted video other week of his new shop and I think he was ******* 240-300fc on the floor. He had mentioned wanting a few hundred fc throughout. Had not read of anyone having that much.

That's just ignorant.
CD

LifeLongWNYer · Mar 28, 2021

Hi guys... I have a PDF file for you to look at but am embarrassed to admit that my efforts to attach/post aren't working. Can some one direct me to where those instructions are located.

Thanks,

.JBP

Hayden · Mar 28, 2021

Click the “post reply” button, not quick reply.

Click “manage attachments”

Click “choose file” to find the file on your computer.

It has a fairly small size limit so you might need to save the file in a smaller format if it’s too big...can’t help you there.

LifeLongWNYer · Mar 31, 2021

Ah, thank you. Will try it from the computer.

I appreciate the assistance...

.

Motown 454 · Mar 31, 2021

Jim, I just learned something too.

LifeLongWNYer · Mar 31, 2021

Hi folks. I have been lurking around, making a comment here and there, but now FINALLY getting ready to build. Broke ground today.

The overall building will be 40' x 60', with a 16' section on the west end for the storage of a large vehicle. This will be in /out infrequently, so all is need here is enough light to keep me from running into things.

On the west ( right side of the dwg ) "bay" will be parking for smaller vehicles ( Jeep/pick up ) with only minimal work being done here.

Where the east ( left hand ) overhead door is, will be where the real work is done. Now, I am just "a guy" working on my own vehicles, but ( and I hate to say this ) but I am getting up in the years, and my eyes aren't as good as the used to be, so good light is needed here. A lift will go at the south end of the this bay, the top of the dwg.

Where the blue rectangle is, will be a bench to take "things" to for repair and such. I'll need good light here.

Finally and on the east end, the left side of the drawing, is storage of parts, and "good stuff" so only a moderate level of light will be needed there.

I "think" i included the important, info, but this is the third time I've typed this,, so I might have left something out.... evidentially posting a message here, with an attachment, isn't as easy as I thought. Anyway, if there are questions, or if I left ambiguities, let me know and I'll respond as soon as I can.

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it more than I can say!

.

JBP

LifeLongWNYer · Mar 31, 2021

Oh oh, doesn't look good, I can't see the attachment, I hope that is because I made the attachment, so I can't see it, but you guys can.

I did select the file, it was a 42 kb PDF.

.

JBP

LifeLongWNYer · Mar 31, 2021

Attachment transmission attempt.

JBP

Toomanytools? · Apr 1, 2021

Hayden said:
I ended up using 8 of these 3 lamp led fixtures from Prolighting.com at 8,019 lumens each for a total of 64,152 lumens and 38fc in a 20x50x15h space and it is much brighter than I expected.

I can't imagine what some of these shops look like at 100+ but it seems like major overkill to me. I've worked in professional shops and mine is already brighter than those.

https://www.prolighting.com/t443ssubcxx00p0-18w5k.html

That actually looks pretty good, seems way more than 38FC, maybe your meter isn't very accurate. Once you get the walls done if you plan to it will bounce even more light around.

NUROADSIR · Apr 16, 2021

I have a 30X48X12 targeting a 100FC that I am just finishing up the steel lining in. Thought I would follow up with my selection....and thought process.

Scoured this thread from the point in which LED's started taking over. Considered 8' strips, UFO's, Off-shore brands Hykolity, Lightdot, Sunco...Multiple distributors like Bees etc.

I liked idea of like the Hykolity 22LM 8' footers at first with a low profile, but became concerned when I found them on Amazon but no longer listed on there website.

I ruled out UFO's based as they hang a bit lower.

Decided on Lithonia for there contractor series, US presence. Considered CPHB 15LM (qty 8), 18LM (qty 8), 24LM (qty 6). All came in at 100-108FC. But when I priced them I found the 24LM to be the best price per LM, and actually Home Depot to be the cheapest for the CPHB 24LM MVOLT 40K at $135 per fixture.
I was concerned about dispersion with only 6 lamps so I decided to model 8 and and it came in at 140FC. I decided to go ahead with that, maybe I will use a dimmer now!

cybrdyke · Apr 17, 2021

NUROADSIR said:
I have a 30X48X12 targeting a 100FC that I am just finishing up the steel lining in. Thought I would follow up with my selection....and thought process.

Scoured this thread from the point in which LED's started taking over. Considered 8' strips, UFO's, Off-shore brands Hykolity, Lightdot, Sunco...Multiple distributors like Bees etc.

I liked idea of like the Hykolity 22LM 8' footers at first with a low profile, but became concerned when I found them on Amazon but no longer listed on there website.

I ruled out UFO's based as they hang a bit lower.

Decided on Lithonia for there contractor series, US presence. Considered CPHB 15LM (qty 8), 18LM (qty 8), 24LM (qty 6). All came in at 100-108FC. But when I priced them I found the 24LM to be the best price per LM, and actually Home Depot to be the cheapest for the CPHB 24LM MVOLT 40K at $135 per fixture.
I was concerned about dispersion with only 6 lamps so I decided to model 8 and and it came in at 140FC. I decided to go ahead with that, maybe I will use a dimmer now!

Normally reflectances are set at 80-50-20. Maybe try that....
CD

tim980 · Apr 22, 2021

Any possibility I could get some assistance with a design? I'm chipping away at and reestablishing vehicles and would cherish some great light. I have 15 feet to the highest point of the roofs. It will be done drywall with the regular white roofs and dividers down to around a 4 foot dim area at the lower part of the dividers.

The 4 post lift in the front is basically for capacity and any work I do over yonder will be under the vehicle. I'd say around the 2 post lift and the territory before the workshop is the place where I'd for the most part be working

LifeLongWNYer · Apr 29, 2021

Wondering how to obtain design assistance. Tried a personal email to Platonic, but system says mailbox is full. If all I need to do is wait for him to see my posts earlier in the thread, no problem, I just need to know how things work here.

Thanks for any guidance,

.

78SC4X4 · Apr 29, 2021

LifeLongWNYer said:
Wondering how to obtain design assistance. Tried a personal email to Platonic, but system says mailbox is full. If all I need to do is wait for him to see my posts earlier in the thread, no problem, I just need to know how things work here.

Thanks for any guidance,

.

Platonic has MIA since last July. Your best bet is to find a similar layout in the thread and copy that. What is the height of the main area?

Shiftless · Apr 29, 2021

78SC4X4 said:
Platonic has MIA since last July. Your best bet is to find a similar layout in the thread and copy that. What is the height of the main area?

Platonic Solid is not MIA from GJ at all.
He has just not posted in this thread. I suppose that there is a limit to how much free technical help one can continue to dispense without a break.

LifeLongWNYer · May 2, 2021

Okay, understood about PS giving free advice, and understood that it might be a while before I get a reply. I'll hold on.

To 78 SC4X4: It appears that I'll be around 12' 5 to 12' 6" from the finished floor to the bottom of the ceiling. That will be white sheet metal, not really sheet metal, but the corrugated material the builder used on the walls.

Thanks for the reply,

.

Hayden · May 6, 2021

Toomanytools? said:
That actually looks pretty good, seems way more than 38FC, maybe your meter isn't very accurate. Once you get the walls done if you plan to it will bounce even more light around.

Yep. I just finished drywall and it is even brighter.

I do not have a meter. I am just going by what prolighting.com calculated for me when I purchased the lights. (edit: I see that they calculated based on my dimensions of 50x20x15, a 2.5' work surface and reflectances of 80 ceiling 50 walls and 20 floor)

Again for those that might need help that they aren't getting here - that company was great and very responsive to all my questions.

phil240 · May 9, 2021

What would you recommend for my new auto repair business layout.

Area is 26.5lx27.5w with 14ft ceilings 2 bays

Any help on layout and recommendations on
fixtures and led bulbs would be appreciated.

Thescreensavers · May 12, 2021

Check out this thread and the other "The best Lighting" for ideas

For a shop 100 Foot Candles at the workplane or better would be a good target. Some people do more or less.

Here is an example similar sized space not sure of the ceiling height here, I would see other examples similar to yours and see what they did.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4930848&postcount=49

You can plug in your space Dimensions and potential fixtures here

https://www.visual-3d.com/tools/interior/ I have found it helpful to find the fixture I want on for example Lithuania Lighting website then just search the P/N to add it.

96grimreaper · May 14, 2021

First post :rocker:

I've been racking my brain since we signed the papers on the new build. Along with that comes a new garage. Old garage was a 22x22 and I had 8 4' LED fixtures and that was adequate for that garage. The new build I am wanting to go with a nicer, more professional looking set up. Budget is $500 or less and want to go LED. I detail cars on the side as well as plenty of messing around with project cars. Any help with a set up that will make the most out of the space would be more than appreciated.

12' ceilings. House is still under construction so I can get the electrician to wire as needed.

Mr. Pink · Sep 3, 2021

Looking for some help on lighting layout/design and fixture recommendations. Thanks!

Sonus · Nov 22, 2021

chopper88 said:
@Platonic Solid
So I played around with Dialux Evo...

If you have a moment to spare, could you provide me with feedback, or an alternative design for the space you feel is a better layout? I'm struggling a bit what would be best for this shape.
I came up with the attached layout as a best solution so far.

Measurements are inside, done in meters (I'm from Europe )
There are double outside swinging doors about 8.5' wide in total at the 3.15 line, no garage door or anything blocking on the ceiling.
Ceiling height is 250cm or 8.2'.
Calculation surface is a workplane at 75cm or 29.5".
I've used the actual lights I intend to use, they are available in a Dialux catalog by the manufacturer (V-Tac), and gave the walls, ceiling and floor their actual colours to get a relatively 'realistic' approximation.

I had already ordered the fixtures, they are V-Tac VT-1532 LED SMD fixtures, 5' long, 32W at 160 lm/w, so outputting 5120LM. It's the VT-6484 configuration, meaning 6400K.
Probably should've done some more research before ordering the fixtures, but never knew I would be researching it to this extend until a day or 2 ago... I'd really like to use these fixtures though.

Hi @chopper88 I am considering the same light fixtures and was wondering if you would share your experience with them? Would you by them again? Would you go 6400k again or would you buy the warmer 4500K? Any feedback would be very welcome

chopper88 · Nov 25, 2021

Sonus said:
Hi @chopper88 I am considering the same light fixtures and was wondering if you would share your experience with them? Would you by them again? Would you go 6400k again or would you buy the warmer 4500K? Any feedback would be very welcome

Hi @Sonus Yes I would buy them again, but I was already used to the cool white. It is a bit weird when I've been working in the room with all lights on for a while, how everything looks extremely yellow after leaving the room when it's dark outside, but that's gone after 15 min as well.

The color rendering isn't the very best so it may depend a bit on your needs if they fit your needs (but judging by your question, they probably will). I am no expert at all on this topic, but just saying that if you need to paint things for a living for example, don't go this route.

Alan88 · Apr 11, 2022

Mr. Pink said:
Looking for some help on lighting layout/design and fixture recommendations. Thanks!

You can look for lighting layout/design and fixture recommendations on adiding, they are very professional, I just replaced all the mercury vapor lights with high bay lights under their advice, it's great!

MerlinsBeard · Apr 21, 2022

Playing with Dialux trying to figure out my shed lighting.

Here's a rough first go.

I was able to download some cpanl light IES files for import into Dialux. I have two 4000 lumen 2x4 fixtures suspended. I have 10x16' shed and matching slab, 7 foot walls, plan to drywall interior, roof is A frame roughly 30 degree with a dormer with windows, but no windows on back side. Plan to have workbench along back of shop opposite door, but likely with mobility so I can move it to the center as needed for projects.

Was reading about lighting and seems like 20-50 is a good number for general woodworking, 50-75 for workshop, and 50-100 for fine bench and machine work. I'm still trying to get the hang of dialux, I can't seem to enclose the roof wall. Here's a regular picture for reference.

Mostly trying to figure out good numbers goal to light the interior space as well as the bench area. The A frame makes it a bit challenging to make a decision. I don't know whether it's better to suspend lighting, or have them mounted at the same angle to the ceiling. Anyways, open to suggestions as far as lighting and numbers profiles to shoot for non-pro hobby woodworking. Budget wise I'm willing to spend a few hundred on lighting for something that's nice. I've been leaning towards the cpanl style fixture, but could go in a different direction. I'd like to leave room for a fan in the middle, but I'm still churning on whether to do a mini-split so trying to evaluate tradeoffs.

DIYDAN · Jul 14, 2022

Can anyone give me advice on lighting my workshop? It is 44' x 28' x 10'. The ceiling will be white painted drywall. Walls will also be painted a light color. I'm leaning towards quality fixtures with a 5 yr warranty. I'll mainly be doing decorative concrete work so I think 50 fc/sqft is good and I may add more where I do my sealing/finishing. I found a footcandle lighting guide (attached)

My main questions are:

1) What type of lighting would be best for my ceiling height? With a low ceiling I'm thinking something like the Lithonia MNSL strip light or similar to spread the light?

2) What is the max distance between lights I should allow along the long axis? Is there a tool I can use to get a light distribution map?
I've been playing with the lighting tool on visual-3d.com. I attached a model with 16 of the Lithonia MNSL 48" 2 light.

Thanks,

Dan

78SC4X4 · Jul 14, 2022

The general layout is fine. But I don't think you will be happy with 50 fc if you're trying to do any kind of work. Especially art. I would go for 80-100 fc. You'll probably get many different opinions on this. But this is mine. And it's free!

BTW as you get older, you'll tend to appreciate more light.

DIYDAN · Jul 19, 2022

78SC4X4 said:
The general layout is fine. But I don't think you will be happy with 50 fc if you're trying to do any kind of work. Especially art. I would go for 80-100 fc. You'll probably get many different opinions on this. But this is mine. And it's free!

BTW as you get older, you'll tend to appreciate more light.

Thanks. Yeah maybe they need an age adjustment factor on that lighting guide

grimloktt · Aug 21, 2022

Hello. I'm also trying to decide on lighting. I like my areas bright. The pole barn is 30x60x10'. The trusses are on 4' centers and there are 14 trusses in between the ends. I was thinking about lights running w/ the trusses. Any thoughts? Thank you!

ng3689 · Aug 21, 2022

A two lights per row (horizontal trusses with even distances between the wall and the other light) every other row...?

Use four foot tandem strips or shoplights.

jhelrey · Aug 21, 2022

I winged it when it came to my garage. 24x32. 12 foot ceilings. Went to Menards, bought 5 LED light fixtures. Assembled on the ground aiming at the ceiling. Plugged in. Liked. Hung on ceiling. Liked. Bought another 15. First time in years, I didn't have to use additional lighting in my work area such as a brake job. 3 seperate switches so I can control brightness for when/what I'm doing.

Wiz02 · Aug 21, 2022

I'm not an expert by a long shot, but if you are parking vehicles in your space the lighting should be parallel to the direction of travel and don't put lighting directly over the vehicle, unless you want to light up it's roof.

bope · Nov 11, 2022

Hi thank you for allowing me to join I am building a 40x40x14 shop with 1 lift for my dad and I to hang out in and I’m in need of some help with the best lighting spacing.I have purchased 16 4’ led shop lights.Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Obi-Wan · Nov 15, 2022

bope said:
Hi thank you for allowing me to join I am building a 40x40x14 shop with 1 lift for my dad and I to hang out in and I’m in need of some help with the best lighting spacing.I have purchased 16 4’ led shop lights.Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 30x40x14' shop that I lit with 34 four-foot LED shop lights. I basically put one light per 5x5' square on the ceiling, and I absolutely love it. The even pattern produces almost no shadows anywhere. You could follow the same pattern by putting one light per 10x10' square. It would be noticeably dimmer, but that may be fine for the type of work you're doing. Note that if you spread the lights evenly, the edges of the room will be a little darker than the center is. You can counteract this somewhat by painting the walls white or maybe even pushing more of the lights to the edge of the room.

My shop is fairly general-purpose. If your shop has certain areas that will be used in specific ways, you may want to tailor your lighting arrangement to those uses. For instance, if detailed work will be done on a workbench along one wall, put more lights over there than you do over your storage shelves. I would recommend putting plenty of lights around your lift, but you don't need much above the lift. Also, avoid running your lights in a straight line parallel with the car, because that will cause sharp shadows under the car.

If you want to post a layout of the inside of your shop, we can give you more detailed advice.

Here's the post on another forum where I talk about my lights. Read the nearby posts in that thread for more info.

Obi-Wan's new barn

www.mytractorforum.com

msn_golf · Oct 4, 2023

Building a new home and dont like the product the electrician is proposing from an aesthetic perspective also I know they will get hit while moving things since there are several. Hoping you all can suggest an alternative product/solution.

Just want it bright enough for general household purposes, dog wash (already installed task can lights), and a little tinkering now and then. Small garage door in the back has been removed and is a straight wall.

Thanks !

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