Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[soundman98]

aw, my internet's being slow tonight, i missed the edit..

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Looking to redo my garage lighting. Any suggestions/warnings?

Obviously LEDs, I currently have hardwired fixtures for florescent tubes, but they aren't in ideal locations. Probably want to go hardwired LED full fixtures?

Also debating finishing the ceiling. It's already insulted and ready for drywall...

...and maybe some air conditioning...

Edit:. Insulated. Jerks.

I’d look to go something like this.

https://www.primelights.com/collecti...ns-pl-blt44wcl

Then since you are hardwired, just add occupancy sensors to them. They are 15 bucks each on Amazon.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Looking to redo my garage lighting. Any suggestions/warnings?

Obviously LEDs, I currently have hardwired fixtures for florescent tubes, but they aren't in ideal locations. Probably want to go hardwired LED full fixtures?

Also debating finishing the ceiling. It's already insulted and ready for drywall...

...and maybe some air conditioning...

Edit:. Insulated. Jerks.

i've got 5 of these in my little 2-car garage. it's enough for most times, except when i'm detailing a car in there, then i wish for double

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...0CRI/300263606

we've used some other brands, i believe Topaz. available at city electric supply, there's a few around maryland, though the clips/brackets are a PITA to mount.
https://www.topaz-usa.com/f-l8-64w-5...ar-strip-5000k

can get led conversion tubes to convert the fluorescent fixtures to led(2 types, 1 just plugs in, works through the existing ballast, 2nd type gets replacement bulb holders and gets hardwired to 120v), but if you're not happy with the number/placement, it's not really worth it. general cost isn't that much less, output from those kits are moderate, but not as good as the led fixtures.

done a few garages over in the last couple years-- generally shoot for at least 2-4 fixtures at about 7,000-10,000 lumens per fixture in most 2-3 car garages.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I’d look to go something like this.

https://www.primelights.com/collecti...ns-pl-blt44wcl

Then since you are hardwired, just add occupancy sensors to them. They are 15 bucks each on Amazon.

Damn, for the price of 2 units of those, why don't I just get 16 of these? Is there something I'm missing?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PG3RLH7/ref=emc_b_5_mob_t

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by soundman98

i've got 5 of these in my little 2-car garage. it's enough for most times, except when i'm detailing a car in there, then i wish for double

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia...0CRI/300263606

we've used some other brands, i believe Topaz. available at city electric supply, there's a few around maryland, though the clips/brackets are a PITA to mount.
https://www.topaz-usa.com/f-l8-64w-5...ar-strip-5000k

can get led conversion tubes to convert the fluorescent fixtures to led(2 types, 1 just plugs in, works through the existing ballast, 2nd type gets replacement bulb holders and gets hardwired to 120v), but if you're not happy with the number/placement, it's not really worth it. general cost isn't that much less, output from those kits are moderate, but not as good as the led fixtures.

done a few garages over in the last couple years-- generally shoot for at least 2-4 fixtures at about 7,000-10,000 lumens per fixture in most 2-3 car garages.

Yeah, it's an oversized 2 car, and my main problem is when I am detailing, the placement and light output isn't great. Plus the tubes are half gone lol. Other than placement, should I mostly just look for total lumens at the right temperature (5000K?). I'm assuming that I'll probably need ~30k lumens for the size garage I have based on what the internet says.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Damn, for the price of 2 units of those, why don't I just get 16 of these? Is there something I'm missing?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PG3RLH7/ref=emc_b_5_mob_t

You’d need all 16 at 2200lm. I was just saying something like that. Not those specifically. I did order these because I was getting a bunch for work so adding mine to the order got them at quantity discount.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Yeah, it's an oversized 2 car, and my main problem is when I am detailing, the placement and light output isn't great. Plus the tubes are half gone lol. Other than placement, should I mostly just look for total lumens at the right temperature (5000K?). I'm assuming that I'll probably need ~30k lumens for the size garage I have based on what the internet says.

for detailing, you'll want more of a bare led type bulb like what nohavemsg linked.

the ones i have, the double 'tube' diffusers tend to mask scratches more, doubly-so with having two diffused tubes next to each other. it's a very soft glow. great for general purpose workshop stuff, but terrible for detailed scratch correction

a single-unit mostly-clear diffuser like those topaz one's are going to provide sharper light output to better read the scratches.


i use one of these on a hand truck to compare/contrast scratch correction when i'm detailing because the overhead lights are too soft, especially on the sides of the vehicle.
https://www.menards.com/main/lightin...4180804&ipos=4

you can see how i set it up just to the drivers side of the car. i also take it off the hand truck and will move it under the car to reflect up, and wave it over the top of the car like a wand to check from other angles.



honestly, in a lot of ways, it almost works better to have just that one 5k lumen fixture to wave around as needed than to have any of the overhead lights to do detail work.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by soundman98

for detailing, you'll want more of a bare led type bulb like what nohavemsg linked.

the ones i have, the double 'tube' diffusers tend to mask scratches more, doubly-so with having two diffused tubes next to each other. it's a very soft glow. great for general purpose workshop stuff, but terrible for detailed scratch correction

a single-unit mostly-clear diffuser like those topaz one's are going to provide sharper light output to better read the scratches.


i use one of these on a hand truck to compare/contrast scratch correction when i'm detailing because the overhead lights are too soft, especially on the sides of the vehicle.
https://www.menards.com/main/lightin...4180804&ipos=4

you can see how i set it up just to the drivers side of the car. i also take it off the hand truck and will move it under the car to reflect up, and wave it over the top of the car like a wand to check from other angles.



honestly, in a lot of ways, it almost works better to have just that one 5k lumen fixture to wave around as needed than to have any of the overhead lights to do detail work.

Lol that's clever. I like it.

I still do need to do the overhead lights anyway.

Also, dayum, you go all out and mask off when you detail huh? I'm a bit lazier lol. Though now I'm having problems with swirls and having to go back and redo things. Tried using the thin pro pads and it hasn't worked out...

[soundman98]

lol, it's a lot easier to mask everything off than to be overconfident with the buffer and then try to back-to-black all of the trim i hit. especially the area around the side mirrors.

figure i can either spend the hour or two masking everything, or will be spending the next 6 months trying to undo the white spots on the black trim. i probably spent about the same amount on either back-to-black as i do on blue tape, so the material cost is at least a wash.

this way makes me look like the professional i'm not! and even better, i don't have to do anything else to it for another 2 years!

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by soundman98

lol, it's a lot easier to mask everything off than to be overconfident with the buffer and then try to back-to-black all of the trim i hit. especially the area around the side mirrors.

figure i can either spend the hour or two masking everything, or will be spending the next 6 months trying to undo the white spots on the black trim.

this way makes me look like the professional i'm not!

I've found Klasse AIO somewhat effective at that if you work it a bit. The thing that gets me is when polish gets under the light covers on the rear and side markers. But it's hard to mask a gap without masking some paint as well.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by soundman98

are we playing 20 guesses?

put me down for 'twisted back while getting out of bed'

I'll guess a spinal injury trying to get out of his Lotus - ?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Don't know. Doctors don't know either. Good times.

What did the MRI show?

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I'll guess a spinal injury trying to get out of his Lotus - ?

It's gout. I did have half a steak and a couple glasses of wine last weekend, so shame on me. Such a glutton.

Need to take a different treatment approach, but my doctor is a month out. Not being able to eat anything like a normal person without extreme pain and loss of mobility is really getting old. Nothing but rice, water, and medication all week. Sucks.

[2020BRZtS]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Looking to redo my garage lighting. Any suggestions/warnings?

Obviously LEDs, I currently have hardwired fixtures for florescent tubes, but they aren't in ideal locations. Probably want to go hardwired LED full fixtures?

Also debating finishing the ceiling. It's already insulted and ready for drywall...

...and maybe some air conditioning...

Edit:. Insulated. Jerks.

I recommend these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/YANSUN-8...1E26/317825202


Edit: I didn't read the hard wired part.