Garage interior lighting

[ProTourGSX]

Most have fluorescent (tube) ceiling lights in their garages; I hate the "hum" from the fluorescents, and the flickering bulbs, and not turning on in the winter/cold weather, etc., and am looking to replace all of my fluorescent garage lighting with just about ANYTHING else!
Not much for flood lights for limited visibility area & heat from bulbs. Halogens are also expensive & have short life from hotter bulbs.


I'm open to suggestions for all the same type of lighting, or combinations of lighting, just to try whatever might work, just to HAVE lights to work with in the garage (to replace all the undependable fluorescent tubes that are already in there, now)!
What do you guys use for CHEAP/AFFORDABLE, bright, clear, interior garage lighting for your overall garages/shops?!

I have a 1 car garage/paintbooth... a 2 car attached garage... and a 40x30 pole building (fits 2 cars + pallet rack shelving for parts storage & work/display areas).

Might have to make a trip to Lowe's Home Improvement, to get ideas of what kind of lights they might have...

[astroracer]

What you need are "cold start" or "instant start" flourescent fixtures. My shop is lit with 8' two tube 220v cold starts. No hum, no flicker and instant starts, even on the unheated side.
look here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#fluorescent-overhead-lights/=grektf
I am sure you can find better prices locally and not have to pay shipping.
Mark

[ProTourGSX]

Thanks, Mark, but I'm looking to eliminate "tube" lights (It's more hassle climbing ladders just to replace long tube bulbs, and garbage won't take old tubes because of environmental hazard BS, now), and replace them with...

standard fixtures & 100W+ spiral fluourescents?
standard fixtures & LED's?
other suggestions/ideas?

Just looking for alternative options, to come up with a better plan.

[mc84_zz4]

The quartz lamps used in warehouse style illumination are great, but they are noisy, and pricey just as well.
Here is one place that may seem pricey, but it is top-notch gear, and you can try them out, all their products are 100% money-back guarantee, no bull..
Check out the specs on the lamps!
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/6-tube+fluorescent+fixture.do?sortby=ourPicks
I'm not sure you can get away from using tube lamps for efficiency. Incandescent will cost more to run, and cause heat.
Replacing tubes often may be a sign of cheap ballasts in the lamps (?)

[ProTourGSX]

Quick search, interesting possibility... LED tubes that replace fluorescents! The best of both worlds (longer life/energy efficient/replace bulbs without replacing complete fixtures):
http://www.ledlightsworld.com/led-fluorescent-tubes-c-51.html

[Pro Stock]

Thanks, Mark, but I'm looking to eliminate "tube" lights (It's more hassle climbing ladders just to replace long tube bulbs, and garbage won't take old tubes because of environmental hazard BS, now), and replace them with...

standard fixtures & 100W+ spiral fluourescents?.....................Same problems as flouresents as far as disposal goes
standard fixtures & LED's?
other suggestions/ideas?

Just looking for alternative options, to come up with a better plan.

Dale

[LeighP]

When the price comes down, I'll replace my tube flouro lights with tube LEDs. I have ten twin mount flouro sets in my garage (I really like bright light).