Lights in the new shop.

Joe Pro · Oct 6, 2016

I have built a new 36x40 shop and besides already regretting using treated posts over a concrete footer or Perma-Colums...I'm quite satisfied with it.

The ceiling is 12' high and will have white steel liner panel for the ceiling.

What are your suggestions for lighting?

I'm not as up to speed as I'd like to be about the new types of fluorescent lighting.

Spook · Oct 6, 2016

I'd goes with LED's for everything. I have been converting over my house, business and shop, and the price on the led lights has come down to the point that it pays off quite quickly. And the bulbs have a long life, as much as 10,000 hours.

D beatty · Oct 6, 2016

I have a 40X60 building and replaced the Halogen lighting fixtures with LED. I used outside lighting fixtures that are good for 50,000 to 100,000 hours. I liked the fixtures from Rabb.

OldFarmTractor · Oct 6, 2016

The jury is still out on this....
T8 vs LED

Greg K · Oct 6, 2016

If you want to keep the clearance then use a fluorescent fixture with LED bulbs. If clearance is not the issue then I will steal someone else's idea and say to use regular light sockets, put the socket splitter in them and use 100 watt equivalent LED bulbs. For the dollar the second way is least expensive. For a clean look, the first suggestion would be better. There are LED fixtures that may be comparable in cost and lumens if you shop around. I am attaching a photo of a "corncob" style LED bulb. It puts out about 5000 lumens but costs about $100. Lots of options.

jeffcat · Oct 6, 2016

Only things I could add. First buy Daylight color LEDs. You want bulbs with CREE ELEMENTS. Very bright for the power thet use. Give you crystal clear vision. Also try to keep the base of the bulb to the bottom or the side. These bubs do not like too much heat. Shortens the life. They are great in cold weather and quality bulbs should last a very long time.

jeffcat · Oct 6, 2016

You better check your link. Nothing to do with light fixtures.

JoeM(GA) · Oct 6, 2016

what's your regret with the post design?

Delawaresurfman · Oct 6, 2016

After reading this post I forgot about the true question. First thing that came to mind was what's wrong with the buildings construction? I'm wanting to build a pole barn myself and see so many different designs and features. Several men at work have recently built them and all are different with each guy wishing they had did this or that differently. With a lot more information I can get mine right the first time, LOL.

db4600 · Oct 6, 2016

It was interesting to look at though. I've always liked graphs.

John Deere D · Oct 6, 2016

What's your regret with the post design?

I'm considering the very same design.

Bob..

J.Wondergem · Oct 6, 2016

e-conolightdotcom. I just got a couple of led yard lights.

Alan K · Oct 6, 2016

These lights I got from the electrician. They are 6 bulb T-8s. I put one bank of 4 lights on one side of the shop and another bank of 4 on the other side. I have them on separate switches so I can turn on either side when working so I dont have to run all 8 at once but can if I need to. I also put a small light above the bench on another switch so if I just come in and out for a few minutes I dont have to use the ceiling lights.

Tracy Brown · Oct 6, 2016

If you use fluorescent, check out T5 lights. I've been very pleased. Very good light and no cold weather issues.

Joe Pro · Oct 7, 2016

My regret with the pole design is the poles themselves....
I wish I would have used perma columns or build a footer. I do not like the idea of posts in the ground. They will eventually rot off... I did install post protectors around the posts but I'm unsure if those will actually help anything.

bob15 · Oct 8, 2016

I would look at LED bulbs that will replace T-8's and eliminate the ballast as well. Very bright and cost less to run than florescence tubes. I went with 5000K, both frosted and un-frosted.

I like this company's bulbs (can be bought cheaper on Amazon): https://hyperikon.com/shop/

Kerwin · Oct 11, 2016

In my 30 x 36 shop, I used 12 T8 4-bulb fixtures that I got used from a store that was remodeling. Screwed them to the underside of ceiling and ran conduit for power. I have them in three rows on three switches so that I can only turn on a certain area if needed. Shop is heated (45? in winter), so I don't have any cold start issues.

Lights in the new shop.

Joe Pro

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Spook

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D beatty

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OldFarmTractor

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Greg K

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jeffcat

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jeffcat

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JoeM(GA)

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Delawaresurfman

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db4600

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John Deere D

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Alan K

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Joe Pro

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