Garage lighting ideas?

RedvGreen · 27 Jan 2019 at 19:32

i have exposed roof beams in the garage and the current fitting is a single 1.75m strip/tube light which has now perished.

I am looking to get 2-3 fittings installed to make the garage nicely illuminated with 5000-6000k white light; any recommended fixtures and bulbs? Garage is waterproof but could get damp/moisture ingress as we have a gutter drain in the garage.

samcat · 27 Jan 2019 at 19:55

Stick with flourescent striplights, lots of light, good spread and the parts are commonly available. If you have patience you can get them for free (our double garage that I use for car resto work is fitted with 12, all were had for free)
You can get weatherproof/IP65 versions.. Probably not worth the pennies if just damp.

If your competent at DIY and can rear and understand the reg you can do all the work yourself, its not hard. Final connection would probably be easiest inside a junction box to the existing lighting wiring (rather than pulling the switches wiring apart). If slightly unsure get a spark to check and sign off, and if slightest doubt simply pay a spark to do it.

andy_mk3 · 27 Jan 2019 at 20:09

My Dad has a fairly large garage, he's recently changed 8 light units with 2x80w tubes in each for 8 of these: https://www.screwfix.com/p/led-batten-45w-4000lm-5ft/5440r

It's easily as bright as the old bulbs, if not brighter, for less than half the wattage.

Dynix · 28 Jan 2019 at 09:03

I put two of these up in our garage last year: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q1MUM9K

Had no issues with them - can recommend!

Syla5 · 28 Jan 2019 at 09:19

Just installed one of these 3 weeks ago, so much more light then my energy saving normal bulbs. Will be getting a second one eventually. My garage is 3m X 8m and 1 light is more then sufficient for half the garage, so 3 of these should be more then enough, and damp/moisture proof.

https://www.homebase.co.uk/arlec-40w-led-ip65-rated-batten-light_p386522

#Chri5# · 28 Jan 2019 at 09:36

I replaced two twin fluorescent fittings with two of these:

http://www.discount-electrical.co.u...e-leds-ip20-75w-9965lm-230v-l-1500mm---h-30mm

So much better and a doddle to fit.

psd99 · 28 Jan 2019 at 11:41

I got these last to last year

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BYFBPEE/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

very good so far.

ttaskmaster · 28 Jan 2019 at 12:42

adwol48 · 28 Jan 2019 at 22:06

In my double garage i have two flourescent strip lights on the rafters and i have recently installed a 10w led spot light directed at the work bench to give me a bit more light whilst working. The other side of the garage does seem a lot dimmer now so may have two buy another to even the light up a bit

samcat · 28 Jan 2019 at 22:48

ttaskmaster said:
As others have suggested, some LED tube lights will be far better and use much less electric.
I got mine from LEDHut.co.uk. Easy install, tons of light, cheaper to run and far better than fluorescent tubes... even the flourescent ones!

Yes, it will use less electric, if thats worthwhile on now really depends on how often they are used...

If its a rarely on light (say 10-20 minutes a day) the saving in electric (fluorescent vs led) will take a lifetime to pay off the additional cost of LED units (vs getting free/very low cost 2nd hand fluorescent - less so if new units but still do the maths!).

glenimp617 · 29 Jan 2019 at 11:38

Does anyone know if these (or similar) can be fed off a solar panel?

There's no electrics, and the garage is at the bottom of the drive some distance from the house

ttaskmaster · 29 Jan 2019 at 12:22

samcat · 29 Jan 2019 at 14:17

ttaskmaster said:
I had six fluorescent tubes in my workshop. Switching to 6 LED tubes uses less electric than just one flurorescent tube. Several hours a day and most of the weekend, it was definitely worth it.

If you need to replace them, LED is generally the better option. Even free fluorescents will still burn out quicker and use more electric. They're also more of a PITA to get hold of.
£25 for tube and fitting or, depending on design, just an LED tube and starter motor for a direct swap at less than a tenner per tube (less than a fiver if you shop around). Most of the usual shops don't even carry non-LED lights any more.

Dont get me wrong, I think its a good idea.. Its just worth keeping an eye on costs, especially if infrequently used. I will be switching our garage to LEDS at some point, but then I do a lot of work out there (hobby of restoring/working on classic cars and its also where I do any modding work)

ttaskmaster · 29 Jan 2019 at 15:17

Syla5 · 29 Jan 2019 at 15:25

samcat said:
If its a rarely on light (say 10-20 minutes a day) the saving in electric (fluorescent vs led) will take a lifetime to pay off the additional cost of LED units (vs getting free/very low cost 2nd hand fluorescent - less so if new units but still do the maths!).

LED's really are not that expensive. Sure you might be able to get fluorescent tubes free or cheap second hand, but if OP is going to go to a shop then like for like the LED is just a better option now.

samcat · 29 Jan 2019 at 16:19

Syla5 said:
LED's really are not that expensive. Sure you might be able to get fluorescent tubes free or cheap second hand, but if OP is going to go to a shop then like for like the LED is just a better option now.

Clearly behind the times... Just took a look and they are now much cheaper than I remember. Guess that a project to add to the list of projects that the other half doesnt need to know about.

RedvGreen · 30 Jan 2019 at 00:15

andy_mk3 said:
My Dad has a fairly large garage, he's recently changed 8 light units with 2x80w tubes in each for 8 of these: https://www.screwfix.com/p/led-batten-45w-4000lm-5ft/5440r

It's easily as bright as the old bulbs, if not brighter, for less than half the wattage.

Ended up going with 3 of these strips. Garage is around 8m x 2.7m so every third roof beam will have one of these LED strips installed on it.

Syla5 · 30 Jan 2019 at 09:05

samcat said:
Clearly behind the times... Just took a look and they are now much cheaper than I remember. Guess that a project to add to the list of projects that the other half doesnt need to know about.

Haha yeap standard practice smuggling lighting fixtures in past your significant other.

samcat · 30 Jan 2019 at 09:08

Syla5 said:
Haha yeap standard practice smuggling lighting fixtures in past your significant other.

Its for the garage.... The question would be "Whats wrong with the current lights?"

RedvGreen · 30 Jan 2019 at 10:07

Syla5 said:
Haha yeap standard practice smuggling lighting fixtures in past your significant other.

That was quite tricky when it involved the installation of a roller garage door!

Garage lighting ideas?

Hitman