Posted: 2/7/2026 9:38:39 PM EDT
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I picked up some of the plug in lights that Harbor Freight sells, but was wondering if you guys had any suggestions before I hang them I really think I want to hang those lights over work areas for task lighting, so I would still need an overhead light. ceiling height is about 13'. Space is 24 x 30. It's clear span, so I will have to either hang them down the center or space them out and hang them from chains. Not really against using 4' fixtures - I just want to make sure the garage is well lit. |
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UFO lights kick the shit out of the 4' long bitch lights. If you upload your shop's measurements to hyperlite, they'll use their software to model it and get the right amount of light everywhere. Mine's about the same size as yours. They sent me the layout and the model of my shop. Its basically 5 ufo lights arranged like the dots on the 5 side of a die. |
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Here's some of the simulation they made up. Mine is 20x30 with 14ft walls. There's another sheet that shows the footcandles plotted in a grid around the room. When I went to hang the lights, I didn't get it exactly like their model. I hung my lights off the rat-runs. I figure its close enough, you'd never know the difference unless you walked around the room with some tool that can measure light. I have plenty of light to see everywhere in the shop. And there are not really any shadows, except while working under a car. The daytime shot shows the light placement, as well as how light it is inside with the doors closed. The night time shot is how lit up it is at night, with no other lights inside besides the 5 on the ceiling.   
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Thanks again. Looks great. nice and bright. I have an electrical question maybe some of our guys can help me before I get further into this. I have the meter base with a main on the outside and spaces spaces for 8 breakers. My plan is to run a lighting circuit for the 5 lights and a 110v circuit for a few outlets. I don't plan to install an inside breaker panel. I am running metal clad bx cable. I want to put a 2" penetration through the wall with a 2LB coming from the bottom of the meter box/outdoor breaker through the wall. Does code require a junction box or can I come right out of a 2" CPVC nipple so long as I secure the cable within 2" of the penetration? |
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Originally Posted By fulminate: Thanks again. Looks great. nice and bright. I have an electrical question maybe some of our guys can help me before I get further into this. I have the meter base with a main on the outside and spaces spaces for 8 breakers. My plan is to run a lighting circuit for the 5 lights and a 110v circuit for a few outlets. I don't plan to install an inside breaker panel. I am running metal clad bx cable. I want to put a 2" penetration through the wall with a 2LB coming from the bottom of the meter box/outdoor breaker through the wall. Does code require a junction box or can I come right out of a 2" CPVC nipple so long as I secure the cable within 2" of the penetration? You need to use a listed connector/change over, jb, etc. |
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Originally Posted By outdoorgb: If you have a work bench, add a fixture above that. The older you get the more important that is.  . Ask me how I know. I am currently getting around to adding over work bench lighting in the house basement work area. Twelve years ago I swapped out the room lights from cheap two bulb glass domes to 4’ LED lights and it was decent for about a decade. Now I wear progressive lenses and find myself walking to get under the center room lights to read vernier micrometers. I ordered some 4’ single bulb Maxlite fixtures, the single bulb version of the Garage Journal’s best light fixture thread that has been live for years. I put up 18 of the Maxlite two bulb fixtures on my garage 10’ ceilings. (32’x50’). I put up some under cabinet lighting in the garage a few years ago so I could see better working out there. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Originally Posted By SteelonSteel: The older you get the more important that is. . Ask me how I know. I am currently getting around to adding over work bench lighting in the house basement work area. Twelve years ago I swapped out the room lights from cheap two bulb glass domes to 4’ LED lights and it was decent for about a decade. Now I wear progressive lenses and find myself walking to get under the center room lights to read vernier micrometers. I ordered some 4’ single bulb Maxlite fixtures, the single bulb version of the Garage Journal’s best light fixture thread that has been live for years. I put up 18 of the Maxlite two bulb fixtures on my garage 10’ ceilings. (32’x50’). I put up some under cabinet lighting in the garage a few years ago so I could see better working out there. There will for sure will be lighting above the benches. I'd also like to find one of those old school drafting lights with a spot light/magnifying glass. As I have gotten to the point where i require reading glasses, it would be nice. |
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Originally Posted By fulminate: There will for sure will be lighting above the benches. I'd also like to find one of those old school drafting lights with a spot light/magnifying glass. As I have gotten to the point where i require reading glasses, it would be nice. I bought my wife an OttLite at Hobby Lobby, that has a magnifying lens and LED light ring. She uses it while sewing. Just like this one, from Michaels: OttLite OttLite has a website, and you may can find it cheaper elsewhere. Good luck. |