Who's had a barn / shop built - lessons learned?

[74NovaMan]

But how to haul that many? They will start crushing under their own weight on todays rough highways.

Stand them on end (the short end)?

[DanStokes]

Chris for the win! A closed trailer would be best with corregated cardboard under them to absorb shock. If you have enough cardboard it wouldn't hurt to put some between the fixtures, too. I get big sections at a furniture store or appliance store - they're happy to get rid of it. A couple of layers would work pretty well. My suggestion is to grab a couple of extra fixtures to pilfer parts off as needed.

I feel like a big dummy for tossing all of my old T12s, not knowing I could remove the ballasts and install LEDs - live and learn. I must have taken 20 or so to the dump and bought new. Quoth the electrician, "Nevermore....."

Dan

[JamesMayberryIII]

I'd think the units are boxed,, and came from far far away.. on a pallet.. of same units..
Think you are overthinking the ruff roads issue

[74NovaMan]

I'd think the units are boxed,, and came from far far away.. on a pallet.. of same units..
Think you are overthinking the ruff roads issue

At the price they mentioned, I would think they are probably used fixtures coming out of an office that is being retrofitted with newer lighting.

[milner351]

$100 for a dozen - they're used, they were removed from an office someplace, they will be stacked, shrink wrapped, and tied down to pallets.

12 for me
24 for Stiney

Now lets hope I don't get stuck in too much traffic there and back to get them.

Initially I'm going to put up three rows of three fixtures, each fixture with 4 1800 lumen output LED tubes.
I'm on the fence about having the three rows on three switches, or just put them all on one.

I'm sticking with the idea of switched outlets flush with the bottom of the bottom truss cord.
Each fixture will hang from chains level, and have a simple plug in cord.
If I decide this was a horrible waste of $400 in the future - I'll unplug them and swap them out with the better idea.... I'm hoping that won't happen, but I've learned to hope for the best and plan for the worst.

Since I don't plan on using the bulbs, or ballasts as long as the sheetmetal of the fixtures is intact, I'm good.
I wonder if there's any scrap value to old ballasts?

I learned another thing about LED ballast bypass - some LED should be wired with power to one end of the tube (both prongs) and neutral on the other end (both prongs)
Other tubes require power to one prong on one end, neutral to the other prong on the same end, and nothing at the other end of the tube.

The tubes I have now have a little schematic on the back side of the tube. This is another one of those pesky situations where you should read the darned instructions.

[STINEY]

John, since this is a new install for both of us.......have you explored the options of LEDs run straight off of DC current?

Theoretically, one transformer sending DC via doorbell wire to all the fixtures is more than sufficient.

And the wiring costs are MUCH reduced.

Just thought I'd further complicate the issue....lol.

[milner351]

I have LED "tape" lights under our kitchen cabinets - a transformer is plugged into a switched outlet - then "doorbell wire" is run through the cabinets (1/4" hole is plenty)
They've been up for a couple years now - working just wonderful.

I'm not sure I want to venture down that road for shop lighting - up at 11-12ft off the floor - I don't think strip lights would work.

The LED tubes are all set up to run on 100 - 277V AC and are common retrofits therefore cheap, at over 1500 lumens output per tube.

I do plan on running LED strip lights down the columns of the hoist for under car lighting.

[milner351]

Finally - PROGRESS!

Got the permit last week - materials were delivered yesterday - excavation and post holes are supposed to happen this friday!

All those light fixtures are still resting comfortably shrink wrapped on pallets with an 8ft plastic drop in bed liner flipped upside down on top of them.
I have 36 "ballast bypass" LED tubes that will go into those fixtures.... once I get to that point.

Here's the materials... not very exciting but - I know ya'll like pictures!

[DanStokes]

YEA!!!! Go John! Is Lee curious? I know when I was a kid and my Dad was building stuff I gained status among my buddies.

Dan

[STINEY]

Ooolala! Progress!


(Yard looks good too, guess that repowered Deere is still putting down the number.)

[milner351]

Thanks guys - my head is spinning with all the thoughts of what to put where, what to plan for / try to prevent, what the inspector may flag, etc, etc.
I'm not sure yet what the time line will be, but they are supposed to start tomorrow!!!
I'm going to ask them for an estimate to cover the existing barn in the same vinyl siding the addition will be, that way it will look more like it all goes together, and I will never have to paint the old T1-11 that's starting to need paint.

The 1985 JD420 with the new 20HP Kohler runs fine - I still have to re-wire it with a Kohler compatible ignition switch - for over a year now I've been starting it with a push button and shutting it off by pulling the ground off the battery..... LOL

Dan - Lee is mostly excited about the new to us (2012 I think) and needs work Manco 2 seat go kart we brought home last Sunday evening. He's being more patient that I would have been - I haven't touched it all week but to put a garbage bag over the 12HP Tecumseh which needs some carb and or fuel pump work, and a new air cleaner (currently there isn't one) I'm hoping I'll eventually take that and Lee and head to Silver lake with Stiney.....

[milner351]

Where's the garage door Czar... Gene???

what say you about this? and what's the skinny on getting the door tracks to follow the scissor truss angle instead of being "horizontal" when up?

http://store.preferreddoorservice.com/liftmaster-3900-light-duty-jackshaft-operator?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4fy_BRCX7b6rq_WZgI0BEiQAl78nd3QAUkVYZ4qRCJwh-NS5Chdaf6lu_KONCVOXodLfeD0aAk2f8P8HAQ#product_tabs_description_tabbed

[DanStokes]

Gene has been on a bit recently but probably best to PM him. He KNOWS this stuff!

Sounds like you and Lee have a fun project ahead of you but isn't that a lot of HP for a little guy? I remember the first 10HP I rode (Wisconsin powered) and it blewed my little mind!

Dan

[milner351]

throttle stop!

[DanStokes]

'Zakly!

Dan