Economical Yet efficent light fixtures for a motorhome garage

[JohnRR]

Looking at building a 50X30 shop for the MH with at least a 14' ceiling and I'd like to have something better than just florescent light fixtures installed and I need some suggestions what to use as I really know nothing about house lights.

[Francesca]

Hi, John

I don't know if there is anything better than fluorescent tubelights for a garage...
But I did find out when we built our shop that the four foot fixture is cheapest in the long term- replacement tubes cost less than for other lengths.

I'll be interested to see others' suggestions!

Francesca

[hondo122]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRR Looking at building a 50X30 shop for the MH with at least a 14' ceiling and I'd like to have something better than just florescent light fixtures installed and I need some suggestions what to use as I really know nothing about house lights.

I don't know how "you" define economical but the best lighting for high ceilings is high pressure sodium, it gives the best light over a wide area. I know they are used commercially in warehouses/garages. Check them out.

[chasfm11]

There are all kinds of trade offs.

For us florescent fixtures are a problem because the ballasts in the inexpensive ones only work down to around 32 degrees. If it gets colder than that, the lights only get to a dim glow. I bought more expensive 4' fixtures with a different ballast and that seemed to do the trick. They take different bulbs and those are more expensive than the standard 4' bulbs.

Inside our barn (32x47), I use 300w quartz fixtures. They may be a little more expensive to run but I like the light better and the replacement bulbs are reasonable.

Outside our barn, I've mounted high pressure sodium fixtures for security. They take a while to cycle up but are a lot more inexpensive to run. Unfortunately, the ballasts in those didn't like our string of 100 degree days this summer and I ended up replacing those fixtures. Replacing the ballasts was not cost effective. I don't know that I would like them for inside.