Lighting Small Garage, looking for ideas

[Earendil]

I finally have a garage of my own, even though it's tiny, I'm happy :)

Unfortunately it's also rather dark. The only built in lighting is the light from the garage door motor, and the basement style window on one side. And that garage light auto shuts off after 5 minutes.

I'd go buy some cheap fluorescents, but I don't think they'll work, the reason being in the constraints:

• Ceiling is 6 feet 8 inches at it's highest. With the garage door open (which eats half the ceiling surface anyway) I have to duck a little and I'm 5'11.
• Space on the side of the car is minimal, otherwise I'd use standing flood lights.
• Only power comes from two outlet that are half way vertically and horizontal on each of the long walls.
• Potential consideration: I'm renting. I'm sure I could use some screws sparingly, but permanent construct or modification isn't possible.
• My budget is small, $100 or less, though I have no problem finding stuff on craigslist or building/modifying it, as I'm handy enough with a soldering iron.

My bright idea was to use some spare icicle lights I had laying around. They work well enough to find things on the floor and to grab the right tool, while not leaving any dark corners. However, they are not bright enough for any engine work or fine details. So they don't work as well as I hoped while looking just as stupid as I had thought.

Anyone else tried to light a small space like this? With so little natural or alternate light, and all light sources having to be maximum 4 feet from the car, shadows are terrible in there. I'm thinking either multiple light sources on the walls, or something similar to the icicle just a lot brighter. I've done some browsing online, but without knowledge of what words to use in a search, I'm left not feeling confident I've actually explored my options.

Thoughts?

[jaywood]

Flush mounted ceiling lights lights? Gunna be hard with your budget however. Bulbs + fixtures can get expensive real quick.

[TurboJake]

Rented or owned?

[jaywood]

Rented or owned?

Rented....

[jaywood]

Get some more Christmas lights?

[TurboJake]

Herp derp. It's in his original post.

Honestly. All I can think of is a couple cheapo wal-mart fixtures. I've had many of these and sometimes they burn out after a year, but I had several that lasted up to 5. Mount them good and tight against the ceiling. They're only 3 inches tall, so they'll fit there no problemo.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-America-8045E-Lights-of-America-4-Solid-State-Shop-Light-White/19759624

[Cosmic Serpent]

you could buy a couple of plug in fluorescent lights like these: http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/...re-618994.aspx
and attach to the walls, I don't know how well they will work but just return them if they don't do what you need.
I so wish I had a garage even a small one like that :)

[Earendil]

Flush mounted ceiling lights lights? Gunna be hard with your budget however. Bulbs + fixtures can get expensive real quick.

Since I can't modify the ceiling, like cut holes, it'd be hard to get anything truly flush.

Get some more Christmas lights?

Not beyond question :)
They do make LED Christmas lights. If they were significantly brighter they would work great. The ones I have up currently are held in with a total of 8 thumb tacks.

Herp derp. It's in his original post.

Honestly. All I can think of is a couple cheapo wal-mart fixtures. I've had many of these and sometimes they burn out after a year, but I had several that lasted up to 5. Mount them good and tight against the ceiling. They're only 3 inches tall, so they'll fit there no problemo.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lights-of-...White/19759624

3 inches tall... I pictured these sort of pictures being a lot taller. Wiring would be fun, since these are rarely plug in, right?
Favorite line form that link:
"Add a touch of class to any working environment"
Nothing says class like walmart fluorescents!

you could buy a couple of plug in fluorescent lights like these: http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/...re-618994.aspx
and attach to the walls, I don't know how well they will work but just return them if they don't do what you need.
I so wish I had a garage even a small one like that :)

Humm... I like the look of those, if only because they seem like I could accidentally smack the end of an exhaust pipe against them and not break them! That's the only thing about this tight space, I'm half expecting to smack or drop whatever the light source is. That's a bonus to the Christmas light style, rather drop and smash resistant... of course they do a fine job of ceasing to work all on their own ;-)

Yes, the garage is nice. I've had my E30 for 7 years now (shit. I'm getting old) and spent the first 4 working on gravel (drop a nut, fukit!) and the last three on concrete without a cover. And now I can work out of the elements and in the dark :D

I really appreciate the ideas so far guys!

[jlevie]

I would mount a twin tube 8' fluorescent fixture just below the garage door on both side walls

[Earendil]

I would mount a twin tube 8' fluorescent fixture just below the garage door on both side walls

I don't know if I've ever seen fluorescence mounted sideway. Perhaps a stupid question, but do they hold up up well enough like that? Or let me rephrase, in your experience are most of them made to function sideways, or do I need to find ones that specifically say wall mountable?

[Cosmic Serpent]

Just a thought you could wire up garage light so that it doesn't shuts off after 5 minutes but that depends on how its set up. I am a big fan of pulling stuff apart and seeing how I can make it better/more fun.

[jlevie]

I don't know if I've ever seen fluorescence mounted sideway. Perhaps a stupid question, but do they hold up up well enough like that? Or let me rephrase, in your experience are most of them made to function sideways, or do I need to find ones that specifically say wall mountable?

A fluorescent light doesn't care how it is mounted. If you were to use the type with a reflector it would be best to mount the fixture at a 45deg angle.

[graveshaker]

Hang the plug in walmart ones right on the walls. They come with chains, use a small screw with drywall anchor and you're good. This works in paint booths so it will work for your small space.

[TurboJake]

3 inches tall... I pictured these sort of pictures being a lot taller. Wiring would be fun, since these are rarely plug in, right?
Favorite line form that link:
"Add a touch of class to any working environment"
Nothing says class like walmart fluorescents!

No wiring involved. Those have terminals at the end and plug right into any existing socket.

And yeah. They provide adequate light provided you have the right bulb. I had some phillips in there but I don't remember which exactly.

"Add a touch of class. Lights of America, Available at Wal-Mart"
Lulz

[MAXELHOFF]

this

Extension cord. Plug in lampholder. Use bulb splitter. Then 2 compact fluorscent bulbs. As many times as you wish. Hang that mess from the ceiling/wall. Maybe unplug when not in use.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products...A#.UMvsp47TL8s