Guest rockmeupto125 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I'd really like to be able to see in my garage. So being cheap as hell and all, I was contemplating the best solution. -Fire....too unpredictable. High maintainance. -Extra batteries for my headset flashlight...eats double the batteries, still doesn't have that overall glow. Rats can sneak up on me from the side and I wouldn't see them. -HID....just run my bike with the HID's on. Eats gas, only points one way. Real bright. -4 to 6 of them 500 watt halogen work lights-----lots of draw, and they put out a ton of heat. Gotta find a place to clamp them all too, and run extension cords to all of them. They're on sale for $10 locally. -Metal Halide lamps. $30 for a 175 watter locally. Guy there says they are hella bright. Figure two for the garage...have to be mounted and hard wired. I've never checked one out for an inside application...don't know if the bluish tint would be a detriment. Thoughts? Experiences? Offers of incredibly bright lights you've raided from a local warehouse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB4XX Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 4 to 6 of them 500 watt halogen work lights I use the twin mounted halogens on a tripod stand, plus two four bulb flourescent units. The halogens on the stand are only about 25 bucks and can aimed anywhere you are working easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 How about a pair of glasses ? You are getting old ya know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obby Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I had the same problem, couldn't see a damn thing. I ended up running 4 permanently wired floresent fixtures on a switch. Very efficient on energy too. It was like night and day! I would go that way for sure buddy. Inexpensive fix too . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I got (8) 4ft long flouresent lights (2 bulbs per light) downstairs... I can see just fine.. I also got a halogen flood light for just incase Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airborneXX Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I have 6 8 foot flouescent lights and a 2 foot flour. drop light that reaches everywhere in the garage for the close up work. Garage is 32' x 30' with 10' ceiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G4XX Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 -Metal Halide lamps. $30 for a 175 watter locally. I don't know how high your garage ceiling is, but these would deliver the most light. They cost a bit to start (electricity wise) but after they are going, they don't cost that much to run. The only downside, other than needing to be higher up for more of a general light, is the start-up time. My garage has the basic 8' flourescent lighting and works pretty well all things considered. My buddy works for the local utility and he got one of those 1000w metal halide street lamps..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exskibum Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 LOL -- just solved that same problem yesterday. The local ACE Hardware had a sale ($24.99) on a pair of 500W Halogen lamps mounted on an adjustable tripod stand. Got the flyer in the mail, spotted it, jumped in my car and bought it about 10 minutes before they closed at 6 pm. It took me about 10 minutes to assemble and last night, I could see. Point them toward what I'm doing (they're well suited to stationing them where the need is greatest) and teh things are BRIGHT! I was getting damn tired of wearing an old backpacking headlamp to assist in seeing what it was I was working on (especially when my hands are greasy and adjustment leads to grease in my hair). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02XXCA Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 Took of the typical ceramic garage fixture and mounted some track lighting with multiple spot beam lights. Can angle the lights so when the hood is up on the car it shines at the perfect angle to light it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvking Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 A butt load of candles from the Dollar Store? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squareman357 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 A butt load of candles from the Dollar Store? Todd he said garage lighting...not romantic lighting you devil you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beondwacko Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Damm. I've got 4 brand new GE 400W Metal Halide Parking lot flood lights that I'm doing nothing with too. They draw 4 amps each @110V. 2 of them would make your garage look like an NFL stadium X2 ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrated Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Flourescent lighting makes for a very good light in the garage, but when the temps drop down in the 20's and 30's their light output dwindles down to less than half. Of course if you have a heated garage....it's a moot point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvking Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 A butt load of candles from the Dollar Store? Todd he said garage lighting...not romantic lighting you devil you! You can't blaina guy for trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuXXtin Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 but when the temps drop down in the 20's and 30's their light output dwindles down to less than half. I notice, WallyWorld has 0F--> on up "All Season Lighting" lighting, 4 foot long w/5' plug-in cord and draw-chain. $9.98. The exact same light is branded "Performance Lighting" at Lowes for $19.98. Go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MileHi Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Another thing to help with lighting is to paint the walls and ceiling white. Garage is now much brighter with same flourescent lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rockmeupto125 Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 Have you seen my garage? I don't even know if it still has walls. It may only have the siding left, and is held up by mounds of parts. Beond's lights would be awesome, but its not even overkill for the situation, its annilhation. And I'd prefer no fires. Justin....a lot of WallieWorlds flouro light fixtures come without tubes...that may be the reason for the difference in price. I'll check it out today. I may try a cross sectional approach. One metal halide, a couple fluoros, and a couple halogen. Diversification is the word of the new millenium. Looks like the only way to do this without a significant initial outlay is with fire, and that's more expensive in the long run. The garage is garage-like. Dark wood, lots of corners, minimal reflectivity...so I was thinking that no matter how bright it was, just one light wouldn't cut it. Thanks for all youse inputs. Food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 500 watt halogen work lights-----lots of draw, and they put out a ton of heat I have one of those and almost never use it. It puts out so much heat, it's unbearable. I put up Flourescent lights (about $10 each) all over my garage and used with drop lights, don't need much else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.