Lighting for Pole Barn

[budlite]

How many 4ft two-tube fluorescent fixtures will I need to install to light up a 30x40 metal pole barn adequately for general tractor maintenance, etc at night? I plan to mount lights above work bench areas as well.

 

[tallyho8]

I would recommend a minimum of 6 for good lighting at 8' mounting height. The higher you mount them the more light you need.

 

[HoustonBrama]

Tally, if you haven't got your lights yet, check ebay, I got 12, 4', two bulb fluorescent fixtures with the zero degree ballast for $15. They are great. Just a food for thought.

 

[Aquaman]

I've been in lots of shops before and I've never seen one with "too much" light. Something to think about.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I'm planning on 24 in my 30x48 barn, once I get busy and run some electric to it. 4 rows of 6 each.
This will give me an average of 30 fc at the work surface. I will switch them with 4 switches, and stagger them so I can adjust light level by switching.

 

[ray66v]

I'm planning on 24 in my 30x48 barn, once I get busy and run some electric to it. 4 rows of 6 each.
This will give me an average of 30 fc at the work surface. I will switch them with 4 switches, and stagger them so I can adjust light level by switching.

12 years ago when I built it, I switched the lights in my father's 32'x64' barn, so he could use different levels of lighting in each area. He protested, saying it was unnecessary. After using them a while, he told me it was a great idea, and HE was glad HE thought of it.

 

[h2onut]

Check your local craigslist. I bought some 400 watt hi-bay 120vlt lights with shatterproof bulbs for $15 each. They were removed from a warehouse and used very little. He was asking $20 each but I bought 8 of them. They are ready to hang and should throw out plenty of light. I see them all the time on there.

 

[tallyho8]

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), the authority in lighting, categorizes high-bay lighting for use at 25' or higher. The ceilings of most pole barns are not high enough to efficiently use high-bay lights.

 

[h2onut]

You can afford to be less efficient with a $15 light compared to paying $350 for the same light. With the lens off and my barn at 16 feet in the peaks which is not much taller than most barns. I think you can't beat the price and they are widely available.

 

[actionaj]

I have 12 four footers in my 30'x40'x12 two lights per switch. It lights it up really well.