Shop Lighting

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Anybody have a ballpark of how many lumens per square foot works well, everything I've looked at says something different. Anywhere from 30 to 200, obviously it depends on what you're doing but I haven't found anything specifically related to a welding shop. I'm kind of figuring on 100 lumens per square foot using t-8 tubes on at least two circuits in my 1,000 sq ft shop. Anybody have any thoughts on that?HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:I don't get into measuring lumens and get all scientific.   I just figure the more light, the better.  I have 1 window and fluorescent lights but I wanted more so I added track lighting with 8 metal halide spot lights above my work table.
Reply:Have you ever been into a shop with too much light? The more the better. I've got a 1,500 sq ft shop with 6 or 8 (I can't remember) of the big mercury metal halide lamps. They light up the shop real well. Before I was in a 600 sq ft shop with 12 of the T12 lamps and it always seemed dark. The metal halides draw a lot of power and the bulbs are really expensive but they last a long time and they're really bright. It's just annoying to have to wait for them to turn on sometimes. And if you turn them off, you can't turn them right back on. You need to wait a while.John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:these little guys are ridiculous. my shop is 1200'. 12' ceilings. i think these lights are made for higher ceilings but they really light my place up big time.
Reply:Don't forget, the colours in the shop makes a big diffrence too. Dark floor, walls and ceiling eats ALOT of light, while white or light gray surfaces reflects much more light. A couple cans of white paint (or even just cleaning the thick layer of black dust from the ceiling) can be the easiest and cheapest lighting upgrade you can make sometimes.
Reply:Thanks guys, just in the planning stage right now. Think I will probably opt for the fluorescent lights although a neighbor just gave me a couple of mercury halide lights still in their boxes.HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:What kind of light is that?  Tia
Reply:Is cost a factor? If it is I would use Raco 232 Boxes, 767 plaster ring, Leviton 29816-C2, 841 Arlington connectors, 14/2 NM-B, 341, 72-b Ideal wire nuts, Acorn gs1038 Ground screws, 100p1 Viking staples, 190 Raco, 800 Raco,CS115-2I, an appropriate 15 amp breaker, and bulbs from Home Depot. HD has a Compact Fluorescent 68 watt It is BIG, gives light equivalent to 300 Watt incandescent. In 1000 square feet I would use 18 fixtures on one switch. Fixtures have pull strings, so you use only as many as you need. When I'm working in the middle bay, I don't need 18 bulbs, four on, fourteen off is energy efficiency. You won't find a system that costs less to install.
Reply:I really like this idea!RegardsDave Originally Posted by Willie BIs cost a factor? If it is I would use Raco 232 Boxes, 767 plaster ring, Leviton 29816-C2, 841 Arlington connectors, 14/2 NM-B, 341, 72-b Ideal wire nuts, Acorn gs1038 Ground screws, 100p1 Viking staples, 190 Raco, 800 Raco,CS115-2I, an appropriate 15 amp breaker, and bulbs from Home Depot. HD has a Compact Fluorescent 68 watt It is BIG, gives light equivalent to 300 Watt incandescent. In 1000 square feet I would use 18 fixtures on one switch. Fixtures have pull strings, so you use only as many as you need. When I'm working in the middle bay, I don't need 18 bulbs, four on, fourteen off is energy efficiency. You won't find a system that costs less to install.
Reply:I have 4, 8'-2 tube f96t12 3-110Watt HO and 1-215Watt VHO.  Its good in the center of the garage ~20x20, but could be much better.  The VHO is clearly brighter.  I would be much happier with all VHO 11,000 lumen vs 8,600 lumen (22,000 vs 17,200 lumens/fixture) Daylight bulbs are better color 5500K to 6500K.  Put more in than you think you need and use multiple circuits, you can very the light as needed.  Can lights, spots and floods create shadows...  Guess I could go measure the light level...  I would like to have 200-300 foot candles available.When targeting light levels, you need to consider the work height for measurement.GlenMiller Dynasty 200DX - Millermatic 350P - Hypertherm Powermax 45Want to sell!! - Hobart Handler 150
Reply:I have a 26'x32' shop, 8' ceilings.I run 13 150watt bulbs (sometimes I use 200watt) and it's not enough.i plan to add 6 fixtures of the new style fluorescents that work in the cold.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:When welding in a non-ideal work space, would an auto-dimming mask make me not need to add a lot more light? Or do they not help enough to eliminate the need for spot lights? (30-50 amps only.)