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garage lighting

Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
our 2car garage right now only have a two-socket outlet on the ceiling (one outlet used up by the garage opener), another outlet in one wall, plus a switch for a scew-in light bulb. I want to add some shop light to the ceiling after we settle in. at first i thought about just plugging a powerstrip into the one available outlet in the ceiling and plug the shop light in there. then I realize I have no way to turn it on and off convinently. how difficult is it to add a new switch that'll control say 3 or 4 shop lights? I do have the black and decker home improvement and home repair books, but its lost in the garage during the move and i don't know where they are.
 
It's really not that bad (depending on how handy you are). At the very least, you will need a roll of flexible conduit... get the prewired stuff to save you the headache. Grab a couple workboxes that you can directly mount a switch cover to, and you should be good to go.

Turn off the power to the garage, open up the outlet cover, splice off a pair from the outlet and run it down to your switch box. Run a line off the other side of the switch and into your other box mounted up on the ceiling. If you need more than 2 outlets up there, you can just piggyback them.

Note: I don't know what building code requires as far as flexible conduit, but it is easier to work with than the rigid stuff. Also, you have to start thinking about the breaker that you are tapping into when you are adding all of this stuff. If your whole garage is on one breaker, you may run into trouble if you are trying to run power tools and such. If you are unsure about the safety/ramifications of doing it yourself, then call an electrician.
 
sounds simple enough. i've done the basics before like switching outlets to GCFIs and it sounds no harder than that. but i don't know how to run and hide the wiring.
 
Originally posted by: Maximus96
sounds simple enough. i've done the basics before like switching outlets to GCFIs and it sounds no harder than that. but i don't know how to run and hide the wiring.
Click to expand...

Well it is a garage, so it doesn't necessarily need to be the prettiest thing in the world. Just get a couple of those conduit hangars and run the line through there, then screw them to the joists.

If you have drywall in your garage, this will be a little tougher because you will have to fish wires / patch holes / etc.
 
yes its currently drywalled. i don't know how to get the wiring from the ceiling from one of the side walls. i probably have to cut and patch alot of holes...
 
I rigged up something like that in my dorm room, but I'm sure it wasn't up to code. 😉

I'd go with your original plan. That's what I did in a storage unit for my old job.
 
Get a fish tape. There will be a whole bunch of them at home depot... you should be able to find a 25' model for like $12-$15. I would go with metal over nylon if you have the choice.
 
Wait a second, you have a light socket controlled by a switch? You can get something to stick in there that'll give you outlets on the side and a spot to screw in the bulb. It goes between the bulb and the socket. THen you can control your shop lights with the existing switch.
 
Originally posted by: mugs
Wait a second, you have a light socket controlled by a switch? You can get something to stick in there that'll give you outlets on the side and a spot to screw in the bulb. It goes between the bulb and the socket. THen you can control your shop lights with the existing switch.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's pretty cool. Thought never crossed my mind.

Pic
 
Yes either cut some holes in the drywall, or run conduit.


I just got done putting a ceiling fan in a cathedral ceiling, I had to knock 6 holes in the walls.

 
Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage
Originally posted by: mugs
Wait a second, you have a light socket controlled by a switch? You can get something to stick in there that'll give you outlets on the side and a spot to screw in the bulb. It goes between the bulb and the socket. THen you can control your shop lights with the existing switch.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's pretty cool. Thought never crossed my mind.

Pic
Click to expand...

these things are only good for 2 prong plugs? i want to do it right and don't want to ghetto rigg it with a 3prong-2prong adaptor things.
 
Originally posted by: Maximus96
Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage
Originally posted by: mugs
Wait a second, you have a light socket controlled by a switch? You can get something to stick in there that'll give you outlets on the side and a spot to screw in the bulb. It goes between the bulb and the socket. THen you can control your shop lights with the existing switch.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's pretty cool. Thought never crossed my mind.

Pic
Click to expand...

these things are only good for 2 prong plugs? i want to do it right and don't want to ghetto rigg it with a 3prong-2prong adaptor things.
Click to expand...

Welp, you know your options now - doing it right is definitely a bit more effort. 🙂 (and may require a permit and a licensed electrician)
 
how difficult is it to turn the light socket into a 4 recpticle outlet? once i have the shop lights on i wouldn't need the little light bulb anyways.
 
Originally posted by: Maximus96
how difficult is it to turn the light socket into a 4 recpticle outlet? once i have the shop lights on i wouldn't need the little light bulb anyways.
Click to expand...

Not hard at all, unscrew the socket from the box, un-attach the wires, attach wire to new outlet, screw back into box. Might I suggest going to HomeDepot and purchase one of their books (either the all inclusive Home Repairs book or they have a Wiring 1-2-3 book).
 
Originally posted by: Maximus96
how difficult is it to turn the light socket into a 4 recpticle outlet? once i have the shop lights on i wouldn't need the little light bulb anyways.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea, and shouldn't be hard.
 
Originally posted by: jhayx7
Originally posted by: Maximus96
how difficult is it to turn the light socket into a 4 recpticle outlet? once i have the shop lights on i wouldn't need the little light bulb anyways.
Click to expand...

Not hard at all, unscrew the socket from the box, un-attach the wires, attach wire to new outlet, screw back into box. Might I suggest going to HomeDepot and purchase one of their books (either the all inclusive Home Repairs book or they have a Wiring 1-2-3 book).
Click to expand...

cool. thanks. i actually do have couple books already but haven't been able to locate them from the mountain of boxes in the garage after we moved in.
 
That Black and Decker book will help you if you have never done this before. Or visit your local library and they will have books on wiring. The hardest part will be the wiring. If you are fishing it in the ceiling it can be difficult. Conduit may be easier. Another solution may be to use a plug-n-power module with a remote to turn lights on and off. You would still need to got power to the lights, but this would eliminate the need for a switch. I have used these in a couple homes and they work great. I put my Christmas Tree lights on one so I can turn them on and off with my remote. Visit your local Radio Shack or x10.com.These aren't that expensive around $15 for a remote power outlet (you just replace your regular outlet with one of these) and ~$15-$30 for a remote depending on which one you get. Some can control 12+ devices.
 
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