Garage Lighting

[Brent.ff]

Just moved into our new place. Garage is currently lit with one sad little bulb that does fuk all in the winter...

Any suggestions, seems to me that the "easiest" would be to get a light-bulb plug convertor, and then get a couple 4 foot LED strips that plugged, versus me fighting with wiring..

I dont need anything fancy, just need some light for when im in there working.

[The_Penguin]

Have a read of this thread, some good info:

https://forums.beyond.ca/threads/398080-Opinions-on-garage-lighting

[Brent.ff]

Have a read of this thread, some good info:

https://forums.beyond.ca/threads/398080-Opinions-on-garage-lighting

thanks. Mods you can delete this, i didn't search well enough

[BerserkerCatSplat]

A few daisy-chainable fluorescent fixtures with LED bulbs would be easy to install and hella bright.

[Brent.ff]

A few daisy-chainable fluorescent fixtures with LED bulbs would be easy to install and hella bright.

thats what im leaning towards

[J-hop]

Keep in mind with those bulb socket converters you can only run 2 prong as far as I know. I rewired my socket to plugs and followed some instructions online to ensure it was properly bonded/to code, super easy to do, then daisy chain plug in led bars for awesome lighting.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Yeah I think it's your best bang for your buck, considering how cheap the LED stuff is these days. I hardwired mine in because I got a bunch of old fluorescent fixtures with dead ballasts for free, but the plug-type should work just as well and are easier to install.

[rx7boi]

Sweet, I didn't even know they had lightbulb to socket converters.

I know sweet all about wiring so this would work great for a newb like me.

[Brent.ff]

Sweet, I didn't even know they had lightbulb to socket converters.

I know sweet all about wiring so this would work great for a newb like me.

thats kind of my thoughts. changing light fixtures is pretty low-level wiring, but this is way easier

[BerserkerCatSplat]

J-hop is correct that bulb->plug adapters are only 2-prong. For all the minimal effort it takes, I'd just install an actual plug there - not to mention that finding LED fixtures with 2-prong leads may be difficult.

[B.Spilner]

They sell 3 prong light fixtures at CT and lowes. Just did this at a family members garage yesterday along with 5 Costco led 4ft shop lights plus 2 extension cords.

Total cost was $300 for lighting that looks like a professional shop, and all by a flick of a switch.

[B.Spilner]

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[BerserkerCatSplat]

That's not a bulb-to-socket adapter (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Socket-with-Outlets-White-R52-01403-00W/100184555), that's a lamp base with an integrated socket. While a good option, it would take exactly the same amount of wiring effort as installing a normal outlet in the box.

[J-hop]

Well that’s pretty much the same as wiring in a plug, only difference is you retain the bulb socket. So both would be the same effort

Edit: beat me to it!

[ExtraSlow]

I can wire in an outlet for you bud. Peice of cake.

[Brent.ff]

having now looked into it, looks pretty simple to change over the stupid single bulb to an outlet. Just need to figure out the light, as those kick-ass ones in the other thread seem to be non-existant now

[rx7boi]

My lightbulbs in my garage is way too high lol. I'll need a massive ladder to make it up there.

If I can install wired smoke detectors, I'm probably good to switch a bulb to an outlet right?

[ExtraSlow]

Turn off the breaker. Test that you have turned off the CORRECT breaker (lol, this is important), and then yeah, it's a piece of cake. If you don't have enough slack, or you need to make any splices or extensions, put those into junction boxes.

[Tik-Tok]

having now looked into it, looks pretty simple to change over the stupid single bulb to an outlet. Just need to figure out the light, as those kick-ass ones in the other thread seem to be non-existant now

Just get the Costco LED shop lights. They're in stock every time I go.

[B.Spilner]

Just get the Costco LED shop lights. They're in stock every time I go.

A big x2 on this.

5 of these in a 24x22 garage work great. I can post pics of how bright it is if needed.

[88CRX]

Still waiting to do mine, only hesitation on the costco lights is the fact that I dont want to run chords and have to plug them all in. I want the fixtures to be hardwired and to be centered on the current electrical light ceiling boxes.

Someone confirmed (I think) that the costco lights can be hardwired but do they hard wire at the center or at one end?

Might just go with a combination of these in 48" and 96" lengths:

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.48-inch-led-2-light-strip-light.1001041580.html
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.96-inch-led-2-light-strip-light.1001041579.html

[J-hop]

Just get the Costco LED shop lights. They're in stock every time I go.

I wasn’t super impressed with the Costco shop lights, I don’t really like the colour (slightly too white for my liking), they feel really cheap and the beam pattern is really narrow/patchy in my experience.

I have a Costco one over my work bench and then 4 of these ones over the rest of the garage

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.4-ft-linkable-led-shop-light.1000823032.html

That being said I think the costco ones are much cheaper.

In terms of number I’d say 4 is ok for a regular sized 2 car garage, but im going to add two more in mine at the very front to remove dark spots under the hood


Still waiting to do mine, only hesitation on the costco lights is the fact that I dont want to run chords and have to plug them all in. I want the fixtures to be hardwired and to be centered on the current electrical light ceiling boxes.

Someone confirmed (I think) that the costco lights can be hardwired but do they hard wire at the center or at one end?

Might just go with a combination of these in 48" and 96" lengths:

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.48-inch-led-2-light-strip-light.1001041580.html
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.96-inch-led-2-light-strip-light.1001041579.html

The Costco ones wire at one end.

Any can be hardwired, just means clipping the prong connector off the end

[Brent.ff]

Just get the Costco LED shop lights. They're in stock every time I go.

Wife is in red deer, turns out they didnt have them in stock... or Traeger chips

lesson - Costco red deer sucks

[rx7boi]

Hey bros, just wanted to let you know that the Reno Depot in NW has upped their clearance pricing. Most stuff is now 40% off. I was there tonight to pick some stuff up saw some 4' LED shoplights for 50% off so it came to about $40 per piece.

There were still about 6-7 units left. Take a look if you're there!

[Brent.ff]

Hey bros, just wanted to let you know that the Reno Depot in NW has upped their clearance pricing. Most stuff is now 40% off. I was there tonight to pick some stuff up saw some 4' LED shoplights for 50% off so it came to about $40 per piece.

There were still about 6-7 units left. Take a look if you're there!

Were they plug and play, or hardwired?

[rx7boi]

Were they plug and play, or hardwired?


They were 3 pronged plug-and-play.

[rage2]

I'm terrible with wiring and still managed to rewire 2 single sockets into 2 new multi lamp fixtures and fitted them with LEDs in my garage. It's really not that hard.

[jwslam]

I need 2 prong because I wanna rig it into my garage door opener with the bulb converter

[J-hop]

I need 2 prong because I wanna rig it into my garage door opener with the bulb converter

Check amazon, that might be your best bet. I haven’t found any 2 prongers in stores locally.

[Brent.ff]

Went to Reno depot and got two of the Uberhaus 4000 lumen 4 footers for $80. Garage is waaaaaay better

[rx7boi]

Awesome, glad it worked out for you man!

[Brent.ff]

Shoulda hit up Reno depot earlier. Talk about a pile of stuff!

[88CRX]

Was at Costco the other day and picked up a whole stack of these 1'x4' flat LED panel lights. They were $99 a pop (dont appear to be on their website) but something nearly identical to this:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-panel-light/flush-mount-led-panel-light-1x4-4100-lumens-40w-dimmable-even-glow-light-fixture/3587/

They mount to a standard ceiling junction box and are only 3/4" of thick (which is perfect for above our future lift). Anyone have experience with this sort of styled fixture?

[kenny]

Was at Costco the other day and picked up a whole stack of these 1'x4' flat LED panel lights. They were $99 a pop (dont appear to be on their website) but something nearly identical to this:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-panel-light/flush-mount-led-panel-light-1x4-4100-lumens-40w-dimmable-even-glow-light-fixture/3587/

They mount to a standard ceiling junction box and are only 3/4" of thick (which is perfect for above our future lift). Anyone have experience with this sort of styled fixture?

Are they the Luminus ones? I've seen them on their website. They come in 2x2, and 2x4 as well.

I was going to switch my garage to this stuff as well, so interested in pics after your install!

[88CRX]

Not those ones. Checked again and these ones aren’t on the website.

They’re make by Artika and are 12”x48”x0.75”. Maybe I’ll try and get some up this weekend.

[Ekliptix]

Shoulda hit up Reno depot earlier. Talk about a pile of stuff!
They appear permanently closed now.

[G-ZUS]

They appear permanently closed now.

they've been closed for a while now

[blairtruck]

Was at Costco the other day and picked up a whole stack of these 1'x4' flat LED panel lights. They were $99 a pop (dont appear to be on their website) but something nearly identical to this:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-panel-light/flush-mount-led-panel-light-1x4-4100-lumens-40w-dimmable-even-glow-light-fixture/3587/

They mount to a standard ceiling junction box and are only 3/4" of thick (which is perfect for above our future lift). Anyone have experience with this sort of styled fixture?

I also picked up 4 of these this weekend. Have to move a few boxes before i can mount them thou.

[blairtruck]

put one up to make sure i likeit before i add new junction boxes.
https://imgur.com/36ylZrZ
I like this flat panel look much better then the regular look

[dj_rice]

These are currently on sale at CT
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/feit-electric-led-shop-strip-light-4-ft-3993785p.html

https://forums.redflagdeals.com/canadian-tire-feit-electric-led-shop-strip-light-4-ft-14-99-2276739/

[The_Penguin]

put one up to make sure i likeit before i add new junction boxes.
https://imgur.com/36ylZrZ
I like this flat panel look much better then the regular look

Looks great!

[88CRX]

put one up to make sure i likeit before i add new junction boxes.
https://imgur.com/36ylZrZ
I like this flat panel look much better then the regular look

Nice. They give off lots of light? Fit and finish is ok?

[blairtruck]

fit and finish is great. Gives off as much light as the 2-4ft regular bulbs that it replaced. expensive at $99 per 4ft

[ExtraSlow]

The Canadian tire ones at $13 seem like a better deal.

[?????]

put one up to make sure i likeit before i add new junction boxes.
https://imgur.com/36ylZrZ
I like this flat panel look much better then the regular look

Looks good! What's the specs on them? Lumens?

[88CRX]

Looks good! What's the specs on them? Lumens?

3300 Lumens, so way brighter then those Canadian Tire LED strips.

https://i.imgur.com/8mIVMHD.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kMcEyID.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/avclCkV.jpg

[R-Audi]

Im just hoping those Amazon ones come back in stock.. started off with 2 but want a few more. They had zero issues this winter in a non heated garage and give off a ton of light. (Insulated, but not heated)

[jwslam]

The Canadian tire ones at $13 seem like a better deal.
They're 2 prong so I rig them into the garage opener bulb. I failed and only bought 2 last time when I really needed 6. Took the 2 home to test, and then the whole city was out of stock by the time I wanted more.

[shadowz]

I have four Lithonia Lighting 6 light florescent units that I had in my old garage that I don't intend to use anymore for sale. Messasge me if you have any interest

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[realazy]

https://www.amazon.ca/Wraparound-Flushmount-Commercial-Fluorescent-Equivalent-Pack/dp/B079DQF9HW/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=led+wraparound&qid=1554845115&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

I have these for my garage lights with junction boxes, I didn't want the ones with plugs so I went with these. I paid $160 for 4.

[ExtraSlow]

The Canadian tire ones at $13 seem like a better deal.

Hey, good call on the people who said these were not that bright compared to the "better" $99 ones. I had misread the specs. Still picked up two because they fit my needs pretty good and for under $30 I'm satisfied.

Also, current price is $14.99, not $13.49 like it says online. But they gave me the $13.49 website price even though it's an error.

[dj_rice]

Hey, good call on the people who said these were not that bright compared to the "better" $99 ones. I had misread the specs. Still picked up two because they fit my needs pretty good and for under $30 I'm satisfied.

Also, current price is $14.99, not $13.49 like it says online. But they gave me the $13.49 website price even though it's an error.

I was cruising da Costco's today and they had those $99 slim ones as well as some $49 hanging shop light ones by Innova. 5200 Lumens it claimed. I believe I've seen them go on sale for $29 a few months back but I need to upgrade my garage lighting badly. One side has fixtures that old home owner must of re-used from the kitchen and another side has a big tube fluorscent style fixture. I've never done electrical before. Will I die

[ExtraSlow]

If you die can I have your garage?
Also, no, it's not tough. Inexperienced guys just need to make sure they have the correct breaker shut off. If ya need a hand let me know.

[speedog]

I was cruising da Costco's today and they had those $99 slim ones as well as some $49 hanging shop light ones by Innova. 5200 Lumens it claimed. I believe I've seen them go on sale for $29 a few months back but I need to upgrade my garage lighting badly. One side has fixtures that old home owner must of re-used from the kitchen and another side has a big tube fluorscent style fixture. I've never done electrical before. Will I die

110 is like a real big tickle, most likely won't kill you but you will notice.

[The_Penguin]

110 is like a real big tickle, most likely won't kill you but you will notice.

Yeah but it could knock you off the ladder, and speaking from experience (not electrical shock) coming off a ladder the "express" way can have life-altering consequences.

[Perfect Dark]

Yeah but it could knock you off the ladder, and speaking from experience (not electrical shock) coming off a ladder the "express" way can have life-altering consequences.

You won't get knocked off a ladder from a 120 VAC poke, it's more likely that the surprise of it happening would cause you to fall. The tendency is for people to jump a bit as it's pretty unexpected...I still do it after playing with electricity for over 20 years haha.

[ExtraSlow]

I think for a guy who seems nervous and asked for advice, downplaying things isn't the right strategy.

[sabad66]

Invest in one of these:
Fluke 1AC-A1-II Volt-Alert AC Non-Contact Voltage Tester https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000EJ332O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_P21RCbP5FZV3C

Nice to have around as a DIYer especially if you’re paranoid like me. I might use it once a year if that but peace of mind is worth it.

[?????]

Tip: Switch your breaker off. :D

You guys make it sound like you are working on live wires.

[Perfect Dark]

Tip: Switch your breaker off. :D

You guys make it sound like you are working on live wires.

Or just be a bit careful and you'll still have light to work with?

[speedog]

Or just be a bit careful and you'll still have light to work with?

This, I worked in a new 2 bulb led strip in my garage without turning any power off. Just be safe and methodical, having light from other nearby sources certainly makes things easier .

[sabad66]

it's great you guys are so skilled / cool that you can work with live electrical, but he clearly said he has never done electrical so why downplay it and make it seem like its not a big deal?
dj_rice if you were serious about never working with electrical, you'll be OK with just turning off the breaker, but make 100% sure it's off by turning on the existing lights and make sure they don't power up. the tester i linked is just an added layer of protection to make sure there's no current flowing and/or making sure there's no other live wires around.

It actually saved me once when i was replacing a smoke alarm in my house (the idiots who owned this place before replaced a wired smoke detector with battery only, so when i went to change it out for a smoke/CO combo unit, there were actual live wires in the same junction box i was working in which i only knew were live because of the tester)

[dj_rice]

it's great you guys are so skilled / cool that you can work with live electrical, but he clearly said he has never done electrical so why downplay it and make it seem like its not a big deal?
dj_rice if you were serious about never working with electrical, you'll be OK with just turning off the breaker, but make 100% sure it's off by turning on the existing lights and make sure they don't power up. the tester i linked is just an added layer of protection to make sure there's no current flowing and/or making sure there's no other live wires around.

It actually saved me once when i was replacing a smoke alarm in my house (the idiots who owned this place before replaced a wired smoke detector with battery only, so when i went to change it out for a smoke/CO combo unit, there were actual live wires in the same junction box i was working in which i only knew were live because of the tester)

Yeah I have that tester thing and I'll turn off breaker. Although the breakers aren't labelled correctly so will be alot of shutting off and running back up to see if its off. As for electrical, yes never done before, so I hope its just remove old fixture, cut wires, wire up new fixture and done. If I have to go to junction boxes and new wiring and etc, I'm noob 101

[Perfect Dark]

If you're confident that noone will come along and turn the light switch on then just turn it off and you'll be fine.

[88CRX]

If you're confident that noone will come along and turn the light switch on then just turn it off and you'll be fine.

Not the best advice for someone who has no idea what they’re doing. Lol

[The_Penguin]

If you're confident that noone will come along and turn the light switch on then just turn it off and you'll be fine.


I just replaced about 18 light fixtures last month. No issues except for the laundry room. Turned off the switch, removed old, left the room to get some screws, as the old ones were nasty.
Forgot that the light was on a motion sensor. Went to connect the wires, and yowza, nice little jolt. I'd like to say it's the dumbest thing I did during the reno, but I'd probably be wrong.

[ExtraSlow]

It so easy to turn the switch off, do something, turn it on again, do something, and get zapped. I've done it more than once.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

If you're confident that noone will come along and turn the light switch on then just turn it off and you'll be fine.

I need you to come install some junction boxes for me, so I can get some of those surface mount lights in my garage, that were posted earlier in the thread.

[Perfect Dark]

I need you to come install some junction boxes for me, so I can get some of those surface mount lights in my garage, that were posted earlier in the thread.

As long as you're okay with my apparent disregard for human life in this thread I'm in haha.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

As long as you're okay with my apparent disregard for human life in this thread I'm in haha.

I mean, I disregard your life all the time, why would anyone else matter to me?

[speedog]

The problem with improving your lighting in your garage is that you'll just identify other areas in your garage that'll need improved lighting. A month or so ago, I converted an old 4 foot T8 win tube fluorescent fixture to LED - an amazing difference over my workbenches.

Yesterday I went back to the place I bought my 4 foot T8 LED bulbs from ($10 each at Supreme LED in the NE) and bought a 4 foot single fixture for $30 (regular $35, 2 rows of LED's) that runs 30W at 6000k
15 minutes thisorning and it was up and running and now I figure I need another 3 of these in my garage, 1 for sure.

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