WTB; fluoresent garage light

[martyk]

looking to find a light to hang in a room off the back of the garage (motorcycle room) where i will be working on my bike all winter. The are a few on home depots web site and a couple on e-bay but if i can pick up something here cheap or free that would be great. Also would have to be plug and play, i will just be plugging it into an outlet. Thanks in advance for any input

[scottfromboston]

I have several that were <10$ from Wal-Mart. They work fine.

One of them was in my uninsulated garage at my prior place for 3-4 years, no issues.

The stainless one has a pull-chain switch; the white painted one does not.

[rice_rocket]

I got the painted one from HD and it didn't have a pull chain which is a Pain because I then just converted my light socket to accept the plug via an adapter. It was $10 with no light bulb. I'll definitely look into Walmart for another one...

[darkduc7]

home depot sells shop lights that will start reliably down to -20F for like 20 bucks, and they have a plug. if you get the real cheap lights, the ballast sucks and they will flicker and hum until they warm up.

[drinkingmymilk]

home depot sells shop lights that will start reliably down to -20F for like 20 bucks, and they have a plug. if you get the real cheap lights, the ballast sucks and they will flicker and hum until they warm up.

Buy better bulbs. I have the cheapos from homedepot your talking about. 3 years with no issues.

You can see one in this photo, the other is perpendicular on the other side of the ridge. Lots of light for cheap money. I even tossed one up in my attic.

[darkduc7]

all i know is when i got the better light for ten more dollars, i reused the SAME bulbs had no issues, compared to the flickering and humming of the old lights.

plus, if i bought "better" bulbs, which only differ in light color, they are more than the ten dollars extra i spent on the all weather lights.

[gadget]

If you go with a T8 or T12 fixture, you may want to rethink or buy extra bulbs just in case. These bulbs contain mercury and there is already talk of phasing them out.
I have seen a couple companies that are already rolling out LED retrofit kits.

[Charlief]

I got 8' cold start fixtures from HD. Zero problems and bright as hell.

[martyk]

a lot more input then i expected, thanks!
i was looking at the HD ones on their site and they were getting alot of negative reviews, mostly the crappy ballasts. I guess i can look at one thats a little more expensive and expect better quality...we'll see, i'll give something a try this week as i have moved into my new place

[Charlief]

Defintely spend for the better fixture. Mine are hard wired in to a light switch.

[csmutty]

Defintely spend for the better fixture. Mine are hard wired in to a light switch.

Mine too.

[martyk]

my only option for the location of the light is a plug, but there are a few out there that are pre-wired. The area it will be in will be heated when i am out there but otherwise cold. light will be hooked up to an extension cord

[Kurlon]

I left the plugs on my lights, I just plug them into a box of outlets thats switched.

[martyk]

alright ended up going to cheepo depot and got a light, dual bulbs with sort of a reflective shield on it, lights up the area i have it in perfectly, about $40