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OK ... I'm pricing the lights for the new shop and need some input.

Is there a huge difference between brands as far as ballast? I don't think I need the heavy duty / cold fluorescents as the shop will be heated and rarely (if ever) below 50F.

I'm planning on the 8' lights, 4 in each of the 3 garage bays. Any thoughts on whether the strips with dual 8' bulbs or those with four 4' bulbs are better? Menards has a sale on all of the above right now so I was planning on picking them up...

Thomas

I don't know which ones are the best bang for the buck, but do know the cheap shop lights that are often on sale aren't worth dragging home.

Bob S

I'm not sure how to tell what's what.
These aren't the 5-10$ hang from a chain cheap lights ... they are permanently installed 8' fluorescents ... run about 35-40$/unit. Seeing as how I'm gonna need 12, I hate to get anything more expensive (and even that is gonna be over 500$ with bulbs! ) I think they're made by American Fluorescent Corporation if that means anything.

T.

Talk to the maintenance people in an office building and find out what they use. These folks quickly learn what works well without breaking the budget.
I have some old 48" 4 tube fixtures that were salvaged out of a building being torn down. They have worked without problems for several years. I'd like to find a couple more of them. The ones I have were given to me. You might try a building materials salvage company or a recycling organization that deals in these materials.

Bob S.

Not much of a hint about lights in general but I found a bulb I love and they are cheap. GE Cool White Delux 48". I really like the color (warm) and Aluminum looks great under them.

The best thing about flourescents is the fact that they have 2 lamps. Sixty times per second they reverse direction of the current flow inside them. In a 2 lamp fixture curren in the lamps is reversed so the effect counteracts one another. This results in less eye fatigue.

The High Output fixtures are the best value. They cost a bit more but start immediately and have better overall performance.

A 2 lamp High Output 8 footer, last I checked goes for about $60 plus lamps. It is what I have in my shop.

The "Cool White" lamps offer the whitest light and the most natural for practical illumination. The different colors are created by the coating inside the tube.

How many? Get more than you need! You can always shut them off when they aren't needed.

Hope this helps!

CJ

Wow, I am on the other end of the spectrum. I use the el cheapo 48" variety. $5 for a fixture and a few more for the tubes. I have had great success with them. Doing a whole shop for $100 versus $500, Ill take the risk

i'm on board with you spike. i've been very pleased with my 48" bulbs, and the four bulb fixture, both of which are cheapies. if i have to replace a bulb or two a year, i'm fine wit dat! it starts easily as well, but does so with some minor buzzing until warm (?). i would like to install another one or two fixtures since i work out there mostly in the evenings, just haven't done it yet.

...yah, If I were paying for my supplies I would be more cost conscious too.

I swung it into a deal with the last company I worked with as part of my pay raise. They liked it because it could be written off as supplies and I liked it because it wasn't income taxed.

They paid for the entire wiring of my garage!

Hmmmm, then they laid me off and paid me to finish it! Funny how life works, isn't it!?!

CJ