Replies

1. 
   benhasajeep | Jan 17, 2008 03:27am | #1

   I just moved to a new house.  And now have a 24' by 60' shop in a large storage building.  Walls are covered with plywood that has darkened and regular grey concrete floor.  Ceiling is 8' again dark wood.  Originally there were 2 rows of incadecent light fixtures running the length of the shop.  Bulb about every 8'.  I installed 23w CFL's (100w equavillent).  The lighting was ok but not great.  Since then I have now installed 4' electronic ballast lights with t-8 bulbs rated at 4100k.  I hung the new fixtures so they are in 2 rows 8 feet apart.  Basically they are 5' apart (end to end) and 5' from the walls in the narrow measurement.  They are 8' apart the long dimension.  Made a big difference.  I have those lights on 2 switches so I can turn on 1/2 if I don't need all the light.  I am going to add a couple more lights where I have figured out I would like more light.  If I were to do it again.  I would probably space them 6' down the length of the building.  They seem to put out enough light the narrow dimension.  But I think I would like it to be just a little brighter the long way.  Since your ceiling is taller.  I would say go with the 4' fixtures in a 4'x6' grid (4' between ends, and rows 6' apart).  They are very inexpensive, work well in cold and are energy efficient.  K is the color of light.  5000k is supposed to be equavillant to daylight.  The 4100k bulbs I got are considered cool white.  When I need replacements I am going to switch to the 5000k bulbs.  Will make it seem brighter.  I bought the 4100k since they were about $12 a case cheaper (15 pack).  But now realize the 5000k were probably worth the extra money.