Lighting for new double garage.

[JulesV]

I have recently completed the build of a new double garage with store/den above. The construction is cavity brick and block under a tiled roof. The only thing missing is decent lighting. The builder installed basic fluorescent lights which I hate. Despite looking at various electrical websites I can't really decide what I want. Just need reasonable lighting to the garage area and the plan is to have the upstairs for Scalextric, train set and stuff. Just wondered if anyone had any ideas?

[Royce44]

What kind of floor size are we talking?

What's the issue with the fluorescents?

What finish on the walls and ceiling?

For the most uniform brightness I always opt for downlights every 1M.

[JulesV]

Royce44 said:

What kind of floor size are we talking?

What's the issue with the fluorescents?

What finish on the walls and ceiling?

For the most uniform brightness I always opt for downlights every 1M.

It's about 5.4m x 5.6m. White painted walls and ceiling. Dark grey tiled floor.

I just don't like the appearance of the fluorescents, nor do I like the yellowish light they produce so it's just a question of aesthetics really.

[battered]

The default choice is fluo strip lights, 4 x 6ft in a double garage used for maintenance. You can add others to the side if nec., say at the bonnet end so you still have light in the engine bay with the bonnet up.

As others say, why don't you get on with the fluo lights? We use them in factories, they are the most efficient means of lighting a space.

[GreengiantPH]

I used 2 foot square LED 4000k panels, only 10mm thick, very pleased with the light they give, not that far off daylight, less than £30 each and three do my 18 x 11 workshop.

[S6PNJ]

GreengiantPH said:

I used 2 foot square LED 4000k panels, only 10mm thick, very pleased with the light they give, not that far off daylight, less than £30 each and three do my 18 x 11 workshop.

Would you post a link please as I'll soon be needing to light a new build garage as well.

[MDMA .]

GreengiantPH said:

I used 2 foot square LED 4000k panels, only 10mm thick, very pleased with the light they give, not that far off daylight, less than £30 each and three do my 18 x 11 workshop.

I have the same. 4 of them, but have kept 2 x tubes over my work benches ( close to the wall ) for extra light throw.

[GreengiantPH]

S6PNJ said:

Would you post a link please as I'll soon be needing to light a new build garage as well.

Here you go.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

[FurtiveFreddy]

Just fitted these in my garage. Pleasantly surprised at the light output as I thought I'd have to supplement them with spots or floods to light up areas where I work, but 8 of them connected in two rows running the length of the garage are plenty.

Choice of warm/cool white and they are very neat and unobtrusive. The fittings come in different lengths so you can create a run of any length.

http://forumlightingsolutions.com/legare-113cm-coo...

Admittedly my garage is smaller than the OPs but this type of lighting scales very easily and the quality of the light is perfect for a garage.

[pmanson]

GreengiantPH said:

S6PNJ said:

Would you post a link please as I'll soon be needing to light a new build garage as well.

Here you go.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...

How quick are they to switch on? The current tubes in the garage always feel a little slow to get going

[GreengiantPH]

pmanson said:

How quick are they to switch on? The current tubes in the garage always feel a little slow to get going

Instant, they are very bright, you won't want to stare too close at them.

[MDMA .]

Pics for you. In the garage now. Instant on/off. No shadows.

[schuey]

MDMA . said:

Pics for you. In the garage now. Instant on/off. No shadows.

They look very effective,have you just got 4 panels in there? Do they just hook up to the 240v lighting circuit or have you had to put a transformer in?

[MDMA .]

schuey said:

They look very effective,have you just got 4 panels in there? Do they just hook up to the 240v lighting circuit or have you had to put a transformer in?

Transformers come as part of the kit. I've got a 4ft tube at each side of the garage ( 20ft wide ) over the work benches. But the 4 LED panels is enough for a double garage. With a boarded out ceiling painted white, it would be even brighter

[grahamr88]

I fitted 3 of these to my 6x3 m garage. Very bright, and come on instantly - I would recommend them.

Cost me £30 each in store at Costco. http://m.costco.co.uk//view/p/feit-4ft-led-shop-li...

[schuey]

MDMA . said:

Transformers come as part of the kit. I've got a 4ft tube at each side of the garage ( 20ft wide ) over the work benches. But the 4 LED panels is enough for a double garage. With a boarded out ceiling painted white, it would be even brighter

Cheers,I'll order a some of those,my double garage is like a cave!

[ManicMunky]

MDMA . said:

Pics for you. In the garage now. Instant on/off. No shadows.

How have you mounted these?

[MDMA .]

ManicMunky said:

How have you mounted these?

roof trusses are 2ft apart. ordered the 2ft lights. they have little pre-drilled holes on the back that let you fit chains ( if intending to hang ) or little L-shaped brackets. fitted the brackets and they fit perfect between the roof joists. win/win they are the same size as tiles in a suspended ceiling in offices so work perfect. happy that the builder who built our house had them spaced right. will try and take a closer pic if needed but car up on axel stands now as the wheels are off for re-furb Monday and I'm doing disc and pads while they're away.

[Spare tyre]

Are any of these any good

Unlike eBay tlc will warrant their stuff and are excellent when stuff goes wrong

They will also power stuff up in store to demo

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_M...

[MDMA .]

didn't get mine from ebay ( or anything else for that matter ). direct from the electrical wholesaler. electrician who maintains our building got them for me.