The Best Light Fixture Ever!

durbancic · Sep 19, 2024

I have appx 26 4' t8 LED bulbs that I pulled from my old restaurant, 1800 lumens each. They only have about 2 years of usage. I would like to use these in my garage. 23x23x9.5 ceiling. My recommended output is appx 27,000 lumens - so appx 15 of those bulbs.
Currently I have (3) 4' fixtures. Two of them I retrofitted and removed the ballast and have 2 bulbs in each. The 3rd fixture is a 4 bulb fixture and I have not retrofitted it yet.
I notice most products sold today are the integrated LED fixtures, however I do not need to go that route. What fixtures would you recommend in my case? I could even retrofit additional old (used) 4' fixtures, but I don't see many sold locally right now. I am looking to add probably 6-8 to what I currently have.

Thank you!

cybrdyke · Sep 19, 2024

wolff brothers usually has 2-lamp, no ballast fixtures in stock.
CD

Bennylava · Sep 26, 2024

So what's the best light fixture ever, 9 years and 68 pages later?

farmerisland · Oct 17, 2024

Hello. During this summer I've now got a partial basement addition dug/built in, as part of a larger addition to our house with a mud room transition over top of the basement, tying then to a 28x38 attached garage. I need lighting for this new part of the basement (keeping it unfinished concrete, incl the ceiling which is one giant slab for front and back patios, a mud room transition, and the new garage) which has stair access from the garage. To keep everything on the same floor plan and avoiding step downs, I kept the newly poured basement a low ceiling clearance like the current... At a very low 76.5".

I'm wondering about using large 2x4 LED panel lights (or perhaps 1x4s would be better but add a couple more) down in my unfinished (but heavily used) basement. A lot of these integrated panel lights are very thin profile, like only 1.25" for instance. I currently have basic fluorescent 2-tube ballast fixtures set up in the older part of the basement that by now I've mostly all deleted for ballast bypass LED tube setups. These fixtures are slightly more than 3.5" thickness at their lowest point, so I'd save 2.25" in headroom by switching to panels.

If cost is not an issue I'm factoring here, what is a better light source for my ultra low headroom basement that I walk through and utilize daily? The T8 led bulbs can be pretty glaring but I suppose I can buy softer light, lower output ones. I'm drawn to the integrated panel idea simply for the headroom, but is the quality of light and photometrics going to be better or worse in either scenario? The ceiling height is certainly an issue. I'm wondering about side lighting, as wouldn't the bulbs project out better vs the panel lights being pretty much just down light?

And finally if I do want to factor in practicality, the basic T8 fixtures would be simpler because I already have some old ones laying around I can slap up. And the T8 bulb replacement is probably a lot longer lasting strategy for keeping things uniform. It may or may not be hard to find the exact same panel light years from now when one goes out? If cost is considered by chance, the tubes are way cheaper than these panel lights, but again, I'm willing to shed the money if this will work better in my situation.

TX4runner · Oct 28, 2024

gho100 said:
Got 7 up on the joists spaced apart

I see in your picture your 7 are all connected together. I'm assuming no issues so far? I got my order and saw that it said not to connect more than 4 together. I tested 6 together when I was testing to make sure they worked, but this weekend installed with only 4 connected together so needed a few more junction boxes to put them all up. So far happy with the light output on a 10 foot ceiling.

gho100 · Oct 30, 2024

TX4runner said:
I see in your picture your 7 are all connected together. I'm assuming no issues so far? I got my order and saw that it said not to connect more than 4 together. I tested 6 together when I was testing to make sure they worked, but this weekend installed with only 4 connected together so needed a few more junction boxes to put them all up. So far happy with the light output on a 10 foot ceiling.

I didn't even see that. No, I have had no issues at all

TX4runner · Oct 30, 2024

Glad you aren't having any issues. This was in the amazon material and in the install manual. I didn't originally see it on the site, and had to adjust my install once I saw the max I should connect.

I have 4 tubes connected in each row, and each row is independently connected into a junction box. For 16 total lights for the 4 bay garage with 10 ft ceilings. Loving the brightness so far.

Bennylava · Dec 5, 2024

TX4runner said:
Glad you aren't having any issues. This was in the amazon material and in the install manual. I didn't originally see it on the site, and had to adjust my install once I saw the max I should connect. I have 4 tubes connected in each row, and each row is independently connected into a junction box. For 16 total lights for the 4 bay garage with 10 ft ceilings. Loving the brightness so far.

What's that tank next to the wall? Water heater?

TX4runner · Dec 5, 2024

Bennylava said:
What's that tank next to the wall? Water heater?

It's a water tank related to us being on well water.

manwithtools · Dec 8, 2024

TX4runner said:
Glad you aren't having any issues. This was in the amazon material and in the install manual. I didn't originally see it on the site, and had to adjust my install once I saw the max I should connect.
I have 4 tubes connected in each row, and each row is independently connected into a junction box. For 16 total lights for the 4 bay garage with 10 ft ceilings. Loving the brightness so far.

I have similar fixtures from Amazon (Barrina brand) in my attached garage. When they are on, frequently the HomeLink in my wife's car or my truck will not open or close the doors. It's got to be RF interference from the lights. Have you experienced any issues with your lights?

TX4runner · Dec 8, 2024

manwithtools said:
I have similar fixtures from Amazon (Barrina brand) in my attached garage. When they are on, frequently the HomeLink in my wife's car or my truck will not open or close the doors. It's got to be RF interference from the lights. Have you experienced any issues with your lights?

Sorry. The HomeLink for my car as well as for my wife are working fine in the garage. We usually only use them when entering the garage and rarely for when exiting if that helps with your analysis.

63Denied · Dec 15, 2024

Bennylava said:
So what's the best light fixture ever, 9 years and 68 pages later?

Bump

TheClaw · Dec 21, 2024

Has anybody installed a row of these that can give some input on how well they work? I'm building a new garage and I'm thinking of an accent wall in the back about 16x9 with barnwood. It wouldn't be a high use part of the garage except for the "future lathe". That can have it's own gooseneck.

These fixtures are all over FB marketplace and I'm sure if I look I can find repro's.

Instalation something like this.

Bennylava · Dec 21, 2024

TX4runner said:
It's a water tank related to us being on well water.

Is it nice being on well water? Better quality water, and money savings?

acer66 · Dec 21, 2024

TheClaw said:
Has anybody installed a row of these that can give some input on how well they work? I'm building a new garage and I'm thinking of an accent wall in the back about 16x9 with barnwood. It wouldn't be a high use part of the garage except for the "future lathe". That can have it's own gooseneck.

These fixtures are all over FB marketplace and I'm sure if I look I can find repro's.

Instalation something like this.

They look very cool, I hope someone can shine some light on them.

acer66 · Dec 21, 2024

Bennylava said:
Is it nice being on well water? Better quality water, and money savings?

I am also on a well, not sure about the costs because in my setup there are a lot filters water softener and my well is over 200’ deep but it definitely tastes better than the water from the nearby town.

RW19 · Dec 26, 2024

Bennylava said:
Is it nice being on well water? Better quality water, and money savings?

There are some tradeoffs. If you buy a property with a well, it is definitely cheaper. If you have to drill the well, the costs seem to run pretty high. As of late, a new well dig where I'm at at 300' deep is around $35k. There is a pump that is lowered to the bottom and the pump will eventually burn out and run you around $1,000-$2,000 to have replaced. From what I gather this is a 10 to 15 year expectation if you don't have irrigation or a pool. Irrigation and pool seems to reduce the life by 3 years give or take a couple of years. A pressure tank is the only other required piece of equipment and those wear out just slightly faster than the pump. They're around $1,000 give or take a few hundred. Ground water is usually high in calcium which is what crystalizes your faucets. A water softener is generally installed with well systems to combat calcium buildup. Shallower wells have a sulphur smell and there is a treatment piece of equipment that you can use to eliminate that. The quality of water is arguably better, but not enough to justify the amount of equipment needed. There are a few things that go out on your well system at various times and they're sub $100 fixes if you're even mildly handy. Where I'm at, there isn't any city water so a well is your only option for water. Most cities that have city water, won't allow wells to be drilled on private properties at least where I'm at. Lastly, the only other concern is if enough people dig wells, the water table becomes depleted and you'll have to dig deeper which is an additional expense and time factor.

Hagrock · Dec 27, 2024

Hi everyone. Lots of great info. I put the
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G2Q4VZN/?tag=atomicindus08-20
in my current workshop with 9 foot ceiling. Plenty of light, but, if you look at the light, they burn your eyes like looking at the sun. In my new shop, I am putting in https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D8WC7CG9/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Seems like it is a bit "diffused" and I hope easier on the eyes.

cmandp · Jan 9, 2025

Bennylava said:
So what's the best light fixture ever, 9 years and 68 pages later?

So I just ordered 8 more fixtures with bulbs for my garage. The Maxlight fixtures are no longer carried by Bees Lighting and other places I found had a minimum order of 12. So I changed to a TCP 88LT800044 fixture from 1000bulbs.com. This fixture is slightly larger than the Maxlite is.

I also ordered these Greentek LED tubes with built in dimming pot from GreenLightDepot, since the original Greentek tube seems to be NLA.

HyperPete · Jan 12, 2025

I ordered these for my pole building. They are mounted 15' up. Very nice lighting.

Sunco 6 Pack UFO LED High Bay Light, Plug & Play Lighting for Warehouse, 5000K Daylight, 150W, Power Cord Included, 19500 LM, 120VAC, IP65 Waterproof Shatterproof Fixture - UL Listed

Amazon.com

HogDude · Jan 16, 2025

acer66 said:
I am also on a well, not sure about the costs because in my setup there are a lot filters water softener and my well is over 200’ deep but it definitely tastes better than the water from the nearby town.

We're hoping to retire to your area or Tennessee. Would you mind sharing any info regarding your circumstances and system? I've heard differing reports on arsenic. Have you had the water tested before and after your treatment?

Rommelrommel · Apr 10, 2025

I’m trying to find a source for good quality double T8 4 foot housings with diffusers, anyone have a recommendation for that?

Wallyman · Apr 24, 2025

What's the opinion on 8' strips?

Building a new 24'x30' storage garage (cars stored off season, no work performed) with 8' drywall ceiling and walls. Have been very happy with the 4' Barrina daisy chained in another 2 stall 23x23x9', and have 8' retrofit tubes in the actual working shop (less than impressed with those, sadly). That said, I thought 8' surface mounts would be efficient from an install perspective, so I picked up a 10 pack of these:

Amazon.com

And they arrived, look good but wondering are they the best bang for the buck in this scenario? Cars will be stored 3 wide by 2 deep, and was planning to do a row on the long axis 1' from side walls and 2 more rows evenly spaced (which would put them roughly between each row of cars). Unfortunately, its only a 10 pack and I really need 12 in 4 rows of 3, so I may end up with 2x the pack and using the 8 leftovers in the other garage to replace the 4' Barrina T5's..

Is this a good value option, or should I be looking at something else (anything but those stupid hexagon setups, those drive me nuts)?

dave*99 · Apr 24, 2025

Wallyman said:
What's the opinion on 8' strips?

Building a new 24'x30' storage garage (cars stored off season, no work performed) with 8' drywall ceiling and walls. Have been very happy with the 4' Barrina daisy chained in another 2 stall 23x23x9', and have 8' retrofit tubes in the actual working shop (less than impressed with those, sadly). That said, I thought 8' surface mounts would be efficient from an install perspective, so I picked up a 10 pack of these:

Amazon.com

And they arrived, look good but wondering are they the best bang for the buck in this scenario? Cars will be stored 3 wide by 2 deep, and was planning to do a row on the long axis 1' from side walls and 2 more rows evenly spaced (which would put them roughly between each row of cars). Unfortunately, its only a 10 pack and I really need 12 in 4 rows of 3, so I may end up with 2x the pack and using the 8 leftovers in the other garage to replace the 4' Barrina T5's..

Is this a good value option, or should I be looking at something else (anything but those stupid hexagon setups, those drive me nuts)?

After looking at some of the Amazon reviews of that product, the 8 leftovers may come in handy......

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
they were great when installed and made a huge difference in my shop. I installed 2 8 foot lights, 3 on a row connected with the handy connectors. 4 years later and even after replacing 4 units a couple of yeaes ago, only 3 are still working today. They have turned out to be a disappointment. I will be looking for a better quality light.

Wallyman · Apr 24, 2025

dave*99 said:
After looking at some of the Amazon reviews of that product, the 8 leftovers may come in handy......

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
they were great when installed and made a huge difference in my shop. I installed 2 8 foot lights, 3 on a row connected with the handy connectors. 4 years later and even after replacing 4 units a couple of yeaes ago, only 3 are still working today. They have turned out to be a disappointment. I will be looking for a better quality light.

There are a few bad reviews, no doubt.. But looking at all the tops sellers of 8' bulbs, they run the same general ratings. These are 79% 5 star, + 12% 4 star. Not sure how much weight to give that, hard to know what is a real sample vs. annoyed people more likely to give bad reviews. I just looked up those 8' retrofits I bought (which I wasn't happy with because of light output, not quality), same brand as these new 8' strips. Bought 7 years ago, and 0 failures. My only beef with them is as retrofit bulbs they just weren't as bright as I hoped. Not sure how much that matters, either.. different products.

So if not those, then which? They all run around the same pricing, slightly different "specs" and LED orientations... who's had good luck with 8' strip lights?

Wallyman · Apr 24, 2025

Read a bunch

dave*99 said:
After looking at some of the Amazon reviews of that product, the 8 leftovers may come in handy......

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
they were great when installed and made a huge difference in my shop. I installed 2 8 foot lights, 3 on a row connected with the handy connectors. 4 years later and even after replacing 4 units a couple of yeaes ago, only 3 are still working today. They have turned out to be a disappointment. I will be looking for a better quality light.

... spent a little time to read reviews.. (of these and others). Seem like the ones having issues tend to be daisy chaining the lights end to end either with the **** things or the short cords. I wonder if that is what causes the issues.... I hate to do it, but since this is a new build I could do dedicated plugs for each light, but that will probably cost as much as the stupid lights.

The 4' I have are daisy chained, and haven't had a single issue... so dunno.

dave*99 · Apr 24, 2025

There are different schools of thought..
1) Buy quality name brand tubes and put them in hardwired fixtures.
2) Buy no name strips from Amazon, replace as needed.
3)...

Reviews on the China stuff do not help much. If I told you I bought XYZ brand and had no failures for 5 years, would you trust you get the same product/quality today? Conversely, do you just want to save a buck and replacing them is not difficult for you so you will take your chances? Read the posts from @cybrdyke, the lighting professional on the forum. Pick your poison.

sparky 1971 · Apr 24, 2025

I love the linear strip lights for shop lighting and push to use them as often as I can where reasonable. I was supposed to be finishing up a 30X56 pole barn with three rows of six 8' four lamp fixtures yesterday. I have all of the fixtures up and wired, but 15 of the fixtures were each missing two sockets and one didn't have any. I'm short 38 sockets total which are supposed to be delivered to me tomorrow. It's still pretty good lighting even though only half of the lamps are installed. I think the drinking might have started a little early the day they were boxed up.

Wallyman · Apr 24, 2025

dave*99 said:
2) Buy no name strips from Amazon, replace as needed.

I've taken this approach multiple times.. 8' tubes, no failures but less than hoped for output (I put in a third bulb in my T12 2 lamp fixtures, gave me enough to leave it be). 4' Barrina strips, made into 4 pack "workbench" lights, no failures. 4' Barrina strips again, 8 in a 2 stall.. no failures. Even used a couple 4' Barrina's as toss around trouble lights, and besides the cords wearing out, they have held up amazingly well.

I do agree, reviews go stale faster than bread left out.. I've had great luck and then **** luck on the same item a couple years separated. I tend to believe the most recent few months are the most indicative of the current state of quality but beyond that, no names are a **** shoot. I powered each of the 10 up, no failures, no bad LED's so at least out of the box they are good. The garage won't be complete until July/August but I felt like grabbing now may save me from the constant threat of tariffs (which we end consumers WILL pay, because that's how it actually works). So I guess I'll roll the dice with this one for now, and if they all go belly up in September, I guess that's the chance we all take. The plain will be to not daisy chain (switched outlets at midpoint to give me 4 rows of 2), and maybe that helps with longevity.

julesthegreat · May 7, 2025

Here is my install of some ASD UFO LED 240W lights. There are 16 in the 40x40 section. Seems pretty bright. Mounted on the purlins at 8 foot and 16 foot. Not sure if it would have been better to mount the outer run on the 4 foot purlin.

Roof has a 4/12 pitch, Lights are mounted right to the purlins, thought about getting more powerful ones for the higher ones, OR hanging the higher ones down to the same level, OR dimming the lower ones down to 200W with the internal switches, OR setting up and running all the dimmer wires to control on the ground. In the end they were just installed at full power as is. They are wired on two switches, currently one switch controls the two center runs and the other the two outers. Could switch this up later to one outer and one center if I am always working in one area. Seems nice and bright for now!

They sold these lights at my local Locke electric supply but they were $125 each.

https://www.amazon.com/ASD-Adjustable-120-277V-Dimmable-Premium/dp/B0DDC1KTLX?tag=atomicindus08-20

julesthegreat · May 12, 2025

As a follow-up to my post above These lights claimed to be 37,000 lumens somewhere if I recall correctly. On the e-conolight sight they have a little calculator that estimates lumens and it said I would have 300 foot candles. Ordered a klein tools light meter which shows I have 300 foot-candles in the whole center area and 150 foot-candles 2 feet from the outer walls.

Why shoot for lower foot candles? Is it mainly cost of lights and electric bill? Seems I could set the lights lower internally and shoot for around 100FC everywhere

dave*99 · May 12, 2025

julesthegreat said:
As a follow-up to my post above These lights claimed to be 37,000 lumens somewhere if I recall correctly. On the e-conolight sight they have a little calculator that estimates lumens and it said I would have 300 foot candles. Ordered a klein tools light meter which shows I have 300 foot-candles in the whole center area and 150 foot-candles 2 feet from the outer walls.

Why shoot for lower foot candles? Is it mainly cost of lights and electric bill? Seems I could set the lights lower internally and shoot for around 100FC everywhere

Longevity and operating costs come to mind. At full power that costs about $7-8 per 8 hour day where I live. I have 58fc in my wood shop and it's plenty bright. I have 0-10-V dimming on my lights and I occasionally dim them a bit if I'm cleaning up or just wandering around.
How are your eyes responding in the room? If the lamps catch your gaze are you looking away or squinting?

julesthegreat · May 13, 2025

dave*99 said:
Longevity and operating costs come to mind. At full power that costs about $7-8 per 8 hour day where I live. I have 58fc in my wood shop and it's plenty bright. I have 0-10-V dimming on my lights and I occasionally dim them a bit if I'm cleaning up or just wandering around.
How are your eyes responding in the room? If the lamps catch your gaze are you looking away or squinting?

Makes sense, but even the low lights which are 15 feet up they are not really in my line if sight in the 40x40 section! I'll go up there and set them lower eventually see what I get.

cybrdyke · May 15, 2025

The health issues created by exposure to extremely overlit spaces is well documented. It's no joke. You are about 6 times brighter than you need to be. The easiest thing you can do is to switch them all down to the 150 setting. You'll likely still be overlit by a bunch. Even taking some of them down and re-spacing them would be helpful.
For future reference, dont overpay for lights that are too bright for your needs.
Good luck,
CD

Dh3256 · May 15, 2025

cybrdyke said:
The health issues created by exposure to extremely overlit spaces is well documented.

I have never heard that overlit exposure is harmful, do you have any sources to learn more about that?

julesthegreat · May 15, 2025

cybrdyke said:
The health issues created by exposure to extremely overlit spaces is well documented. It's no joke. You are about 6 times brighter than you need to be. The easiest thing you can do is to switch them all down to the 150 setting. You'll likely still be overlit by a bunch. Even taking some of them down and re-spacing them would be helpful.
For future reference, dont overpay for lights that are too bright for your needs.
Good luck,
CD

I am sorry but this just doesn't add up. I just used the Klein light meter outside, under my porch is 200FC, in the shade of the house out from under the porch is 300FC and in the sun is 3000 FC on a cloudy day here. SO anyone working outside would have it 10 times worse than in my shop. Also people who work in assembly & inspection would have all sorts of problems with their eyes?

The 240W lights were $125 more for all of them than the 150W lights, having done no lighting analysis beyond looking at Platonic Solids lighting layouts this was risk reduction as they can be easily dimmed if they are too bright.

cybrdyke · May 15, 2025

Dh3256 said:
I have never heard that overlit exposure is harmful, do you have any sources to learn more about that?

click here

several studies are referenced in this article. Literally thousands of studies on the effects of lighting on humans have been done by a wide variety of medical institutions.
CD

rd65 · May 15, 2025

But doesnt that article talk more about disrupting your circadian rhythm more than just bright light is bad?

cybrdyke · May 15, 2025

julesthegreat said:
I am sorry but this just doesn't add up. I just used the Klein light meter outside, under my porch is 200FC, in the shade of the house out from under the porch is 300FC and in the sun is 3000 FC on a cloudy day here. SO anyone working outside would have it 10 times worse than in my shop. Also people who work in assembly & inspection would have all sorts of problems with their eyes?

The 240W lights were $125 more for all of them than the 150W lights, having done no lighting analysis beyond looking at Platonic Solids lighting layouts this was risk reduction as they can be easily dimmed if they are too bright.

Natural light is not the same as artificial light (although it can still be harmful to some folks, ie: skin cancer, macular degeneration, retinitis, etc.). Artificial light is far more damaging.

As to your cost difference, here at Garage Journal, people will freak out if you spent 50 cents more than necessary, let alone $125.

CD

cybrdyke · May 15, 2025

rd65 said:
But doesnt that article talk more about disrupting your circadian rhythm more than just bright light is bad?

In case it's not clear.....LED lighting is extremely high in blue light emission. We're not talking about the CCT of the light because even the warmer tone LED's are still extremely high in blue light. There is also non-visible flicker (non-visible meaning that you cant tell it's there), which is also a big concern.

I'm not saying that LED's aren't safe. I'm simply pointing out the reasons that you dont light your garage to 300 foot-candles and think it's not going to have any consequences.

That particular article, which has links to other articles in it, discusses circadian rhythm quite alot. One of the biggest factors in light & health is when blue light waves suppress the creation of melatonin. This is where alot of the health issues arise.
Circadian disruption Light inhibits secretion of the hormone melatonin. Blue light between 430 and 510 nm shows the greatest disruption of circadian rhythm and melatonin secretion, with peak sensitivity around 460 nm. Melatonin levels dictate circadian cycles and play a role in immune system function of animals and humans. Studies have e!ectively linked low melatonin production with the growth of some human cancers, notably breast cancer.
More foot-candles = more blue light. More blue light =more bad health things. You do the math.

You can google health effects of artificial light and you'll get a million hits from legit medical associations, not some tin-foil hat weirdos.
Ever wonder why so many people cant sleep well? Probably alot of them watch TV or surf the web on a laptop (both loaded with blue light) until bedtime. This disrupts sleep, which messes alot of stuff up.

Hope that helps.
CD

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