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  #1  
Old 11-11-2013, 09:32 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Default Hangar/Shop Flourescents - 4' or 8 ' ?

Hey All - I have to decide right away (contractors are like that) on fluorescent light fixtures for the new hangar. I can reconfigure when we build the shop, and task lighting can be tailored - but for lighting the main space, I have to pick fixtures. I am thinking simple strip fluorescents, and wondering if anyone has any experience that would sway the decision for four foot or eight foot fixtures (4x4" vs 2x8")?

We had big sodium vapor lights in our last place, and it took far too long for them to warm up!
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  #2  
Old 11-11-2013, 09:41 AM
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RV8iator RV8iator is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight View Post

We had big sodium vapor lights in our last place, and it took far too long for them to warm up!
But at least once they warmed up they were EXPENSIVE to operate..

Have you considered LED Bay lights? They cost more to purchase but have far lower operating cost and longevity.
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  #3  
Old 11-11-2013, 09:41 AM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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I would go with the 8' ones, just simply seem brighter to me.

Are they going to surface mount them, or on drop downs???
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  #4  
Old 11-11-2013, 09:42 AM
diamond diamond is offline
 
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Paul, do a search on posts by VAF member Jonjay. He does lighting as a profession and I interacted with him 2 years ago when I did the lighting in my shop. Makes a big difference when you get the right amount of light, spacing of fixtures, etc. Definately a science to it and worth getting it right since you will spend alot of time there. He was helpful and even ran some computer simulations for me after I gave him dimensions of the shop. You input dimensions, color of ceiling and walls, choice of fixtures (2x8 vs 4x4), type of bulbs, etc and the program spits out a contour map of light intensity/distribution over the entire space. When I did this for my space I determined that I needed only 4 2x8 bulbs to get the light distribution I needed in my 25x28x14 shop. For my parameters, light distribution favored the 8 foot fixtures, but your params may show something different. I wish I could remember the name of the free online tool that I used to help me determine this.

Last edited by diamond : 11-11-2013 at 09:49 AM.
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  #5  
Old 11-11-2013, 09:47 AM
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Master Designs Master Designs is offline
 
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The trend seems to be going to 4' bulbs, even if it's an 8' fixture (which uses four 4' bulbs). Maybe it's because they are easier to transport and only one size to stock at the big box store?
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  #6  
Old 11-11-2013, 09:50 AM
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mike newall mike newall is offline
 
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My shop is 23' x 42' with a flat ceiling, all painted white.

We went for 6 pairs of 5' doubles and 1 5' single over the kitchen area at one end.

Would I change it.....

I would separate the switch units into the alternate 3's and put 2 more singles down the middle on another separate switch.

If you can't get 5' units in the States, use 4' as 8' lamps fail much too quickly.

Reason - sometimes you don't need as much light. When you are painting, you need a bit more.

My shop can convert to a paintshop in about 30 mins using a system borrowed from Randy Lervold. Vine eyes on the wall plates at the top of the walls, they use snap carabiners to support large blue tarps from Home Despot.

The roller shutter at the other end traps an extraction fan in a 2' board.

A little more information than asked for, but the justification is also there.

If you want snaps Paul, drop me a line off forum.

Mike
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  #7  
Old 11-11-2013, 09:57 AM
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As far as the fluorescents go, I prefer the 4' simply because you can always find them on sale. Never see the 8' tubes on sale.
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  #8  
Old 11-11-2013, 10:07 AM
RYOUNG RYOUNG is offline
 
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I had 8 footers in my two- car garage in my previous home. I have 4 footers in my current home. The 8 foot bulbs are inconvenient for transport and replacement from big box stores as previously mentioned.
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  #9  
Old 11-11-2013, 10:28 AM
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Michael White Michael White is offline
 
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Iron,
My favorite electrical engineer here in the office tells me that the really cool guys are going with 4' long 5 or 6 lamp low profile T5 units. I have a PDF cut sheet I can email you if you PM me an address. Chris also said that if you send me the size of your hangar (LxWxH) he can figure out how many you'll need.
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  #10  
Old 11-11-2013, 10:53 AM
Zero4Zulu Zero4Zulu is offline
 
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I have the 8' high output fixtures in my machine shop. Part of my shop is not heated all the time so it gets pretty cold in there. The high output fixtures come on bright much faster than the standard 8' fixtures. I bought these from Platt Electric. (Commercial supplier)
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