Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Nov 28, 2007 06:56pm | #1

   Compact fluorescents aren't well adapted to lighting large open areas and perform in many ways pretty much like conventional long tube lights. 

   Give me some details about the size of your shop and what you don't like about conventional fluorescent lights and I'll see if I can help you out.

   John W.

1. 
   EasyPortage | Nov 29, 2007 05:32am | #2

   Hi John,The shop dimensions are 24'w x 18'. It has a ceiling that curves from 12' to 10' high across the 18'. The shop is being built right now and only today did we sheath the roof. So I'm working with a blank slate, which is nice. My experiences with fluorescents include having to change them often and endure the humming and flickering. As well I've not been that impressed with the light colour that they've given off. All that being said I doubt the shop where I had been working for a few years put much money into their lighting (in fact I think it was already all there when they moved in) and may well have been magnetic ballasts and I'm sure the bulbs were probably the cheapest they could find. I'm interested in compact fluorescents because I've recently added them to my home and have been impressed with the light quality they give off. I've installed both the "warm" and "cool" types. there are three "temp. grades" that I've found available here. And the strongest wattage for the CFLs that I've found is 42, roughly equivalent to 150w incandescent bulb. I realize this is little compared to a 75w or a 110w 8' fluorescent and I guess that's my biggest worry. I don't want to have to litter the ceiling with fixtures just so I can have CFLs. They're also touted as being more energy efficient, safer, longer lasting ets. etc., but they're only ever compared with incandescents.I've read that article by Jack Lindsey a couple of times now and have to say I feel better about fluorescents, but I'd appreciate any further info on them and any additional info or apprehensions about using CFLs.Thanks
   Adrian Moore

1. 
   ClifP | Dec 05, 2007 05:01am | #3

   Hi John,
   I put in 48" flourescent fixtures in my shop, but made sure they use the "T10" bulb with an electronic ballast. They turn on instantly, there is no hum, and for 32W they give off as much light as the traditional 40W T12 bulb, which is probably what you had in your old shop. I just bought the "shop light" fixture from one of the big box stores, nothing glamorous, and screwed them to joists in the ceiling. In a 15' by 30' space, I put in 6 units with two bulbs in each unit, and it works fine.
   Clif

1. 
   EasyPortage | Dec 06, 2007 03:59am | #4

   Thanks Clif,Our shop spaces have practically the same floor aquare footage. You only needed 6 48" two-bulb units. That's great, I had planned to use 6 8' two-bulb units with a handful of track lights, but maybe the four footers will do just fine. I'm happy with that. A

1. 
   ClifP | Dec 06, 2007 05:51am | #5

   No Problem, let me know how it works for you.