[s-cars] Marc's garage tips NAC

[Bob Rossato]

Most excellent list Marc.  A couple of comments.

> 2. Pit and pit access. If you are in area where the water table isn't
> too high to permit it, have a pit placed in the center of one of the
> car slots, with an in-laid steel rim that will permit drop-in steel
> cover plates (ones strong enough to hold the car).

Unfortunately a lot of towns don't allow pits, so a lift may be a better
choice.  Will need a tall ceiling to accommodate the lift.

> 4. Lighting, lighting and more lighting. Think Hollywood's version of
> laboratory lighting -- at least three double-tube fluorescent 36" light
> fixtures per bay. Then add at least one set of motion-detector lights
> inside the garage on the same wall as the garage door, so they switch
> on when the car pulls in, or you're walking about the garage during
> night-time hours with your arms full (install so that the lights point
> at the ceiling and reflect downwards instead of blinding you --
> pointing in from the garage door so they aren't directly visible when
> pulling into your garage). Externally, add more motion-detector lights.

Use High Output fluorescents only.  I have two 8' double bulb units with
reflectors in my 2-bay garage.  Bright doesn't begin to describe it.
Fluorescent bulbs typically provide ~4x-5x the lumen output of
incandescents, and each 8' high output bulb is 110w for a total of 440w.
You get the picture.  And the other major benefit of HO fluorescents vs.
normal fluorescents is they will work down to temperatures of 0F, whereas
normal fluorescents don't like to be below 45F.  If you have an unheated
garage like I do this is a real plus in the winter.

> 18. A dehumidifier unless you already live in a desert environment.
> Cheaper to run during humid times to keep your tools from rusting than
> running a separate wall/window A/C unit continuously (but I prefer the
> idea of a heated/cooled garage).

To complete the HVAC system you really need to consider heating for colder
climates.  If one is starting from scratch then radiant heat lines imbedded
into the concrete slab is the way to go.  Use that big thermal mass.  Plus
you'll never complain about having to lie down on a cold concrete floor
again.

And as Charlie mentioned, compressed air outlets in several spots around the
garage.  If it is an attached garage the compressor could be placed in the
basement (assuming you live in a part of the country where you have
basements), though you may want to build an insulated enclosure around it
for sound dampening.

Bob