Lighting revisited

Update 4/27: Win-win. Lowe's had the Lithonia SHLPs in stock. The marked price was $2 higher than the online price--and they gave me the online price! They are small and light and have chain hooks at each end. In removing the old fluorescents, I think that the west unit was just barely holding on--the plastic end cap was cracked, so I glued it, but it was close to letting the tube crash to the ground. It made a sparking noise every time it turned on.

The old fluorescents flickered and sputtered as they turned on.

The new Lithonia lights are perfect. Much smaller, lighter weight, and brighter.

$66 well spent. (Unfortunately, I bought two T12 fluorescent bulbs for $10 and spent maybe an hour trying to refurbish the old fixtures.) To my eye, the new lights are considerably brighter than the old lights. They snap on instantly and silently. Ahhh....

See https://treeshousejournal.blogspot.com/2019/04/lighting-garage.html.

(2) 40W T12 4000k lights is 80W, about 5000 lumens. The problem is that one motion sensor switch is being asked to turn on three at once, or 240W. The label on the switch says it can handle 250W incandescent, or 150W compact fluorescent or LED, or ballasts totaling 2 amps. I don’t know what my ballasts are, but it seems to struggle a little.

So, back to consideration of options. Like 3 new chain-hung LED shoplights. They aren’t as bright, but I’ve never had more than 4 working T12s during this project, so I know 10,000 lumens is fine. More would be better. (Painting everything white helps the situation, too.)

48”, 4000K, white unless noted

Brand	Desc	Price	Store	Lumens	Watts	Watt Eq
Commercial	Linkable	37.47	HD			64
Commercial	Wraparound. High output	79.97	HD	5200	57
Metalux	42”	38.95	HD	4500	43
Euri		31.95	HD		70
Commercial	Black 3’	31.47	HD
Commercial	4-light	59.97	HD		80
EnviroLite	2-light LED T8 tube	44.96	HD	3600	28
Feit	4-light, no metal awning	99.99	HD	7100	76	136
Lithonia	1233 T12 fluorescent (NO BULBS)	16.48	Lowe	5000	80	80
Lithonia	1290L - clean bulb section	34.98	Lowe	3100	28
Lithonia	SHLP linear, alum-colored plastic	19.98	Lowe	3200	36
Sunco	LED Utility (3-pack) 5000K, pull chain	21.66	Amaz	4500	40	260
Sunco	LED Utility (2-pack)	29.99	Amaz	4100	40	260
FaithSail	Replacement. 5000K	29.99	Amaz	5600	52	140

Seems like I need three Lithonia SHLP’s. That will cost $66 including tax. 108W shouldn’t burden the switch, and it will produce 9600 lumens, which is about what the four working T12s put out. If it seems dim, I can buy a fourth--$88 with tax. 144W is still under the 150W limit. 12,800 lumens should be nice and bright.