Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Why type of electrical box do I need?

Hi, I'm replacing vanity lights like in the first picture, with nicer ones like the second picture. Problem is, I took apart one of the strip lights and found there is just a hole in the drywall with a cable coming out, and the connections are made within the fixture. I was thinking maybe I need a 4" pancake box screwed to the stud. I have a stud in the middle of where the old light was, so it will be centered. Is that a good plan? Do I cut the drywall out around the pancake box so that it screws directly to the stud?

Thanks for the help! :D

http://images.lowes.com/product/080629/080629705142.jpg

http://images.lowes.com/product/014817/014817230208.jpg

Jim.,,

just cut out and sink the 4 inch pancake box due you are right on the stud [ most drywall are about 1/2 inch thick so that will be flush by time you get done with it.

just dont use the whimpy drywall screw to secure them in use med hevey duty screw something like decking screw or simauir and make sure you ground the box as well [ you will see a symbol that use for ground screw and that bare wire just wrap it around and it will be fine.

for the rest of set up just follow the manufacter instruction for mounting etc and enjoy the new luminaire in the bathroom with big grin on the mirror.

Merci,Marc

Thanks for the advice, that sounds like a good plan.

One other thing. Does anybody know of a rule of thumb for where the lights should go in relation to the mirror? I have typical mirrors that builders install--probabably 3' x 5' or something like that. I will have to put the new light above where the old one was since it has shades that would reach down and overlap the mirror. I assume I want at least an inch of space between the bottom of the shades and the top of the mirror. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

Jim it depend on how much room you have above the mirror you have if you have plenty room you can go higher but just watch the wire if you have slack or not.

typically i useally mount them about 6-10 inches above the mirror line depending on the room above but not too close to the ceiling edge that all.

Merci, Marc

Okay, excellent, that project is going well.

One other question. I'm replacing the same type of light in another bathroom. The problem here is I don't have a stud located where I want to put the light. Do they make a pancake box that can be mounted between studs? How do you attach it? :confused:

ok let call the magician on this one but however we do have what we called old work box that you bore a hole in the wall and they have spring loaded clip or fingers to hold aginst the wall.

something will look like this http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/1592/159209_100.jpg


that one is one of few common item you will find in big box store or hardware store and yeah they come in both plastic and metal verison.

but however just one head up with old work box to save yourself some greif or headache keep in your mind just dont put anything super hevey on the old work box they useally are limited to about 8 maybe 10 lbs the max depending on type of oldwork box.

however if it is going be more than 8 lbs use the same bracket what the ceiling fan support bracket will work the same way but it can hold a bit more weight [ i used that from time to time on the wall useage but not very often ]

Merci,Marc

ok let call the magician on this one but however we do have what we called old work box that you bore a hole in the wall and they have spring loaded clip or fingers to hold aginst the wall.

something will look like this http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/1592/159209_100.jpg


that one is one of few common item you will find in big box store or hardware store and yeah they come in both plastic and metal verison.

but however just one head up with old work box to save yourself some greif or headache keep in your mind just dont put anything super hevey on the old work box they useally are limited to about 8 maybe 10 lbs the max depending on type of oldwork box.

however if it is going be more than 8 lbs use the same bracket what the ceiling fan support bracket will work the same way but it can hold a bit more weight [ i used that from time to time on the wall useage but not very often ]

Merci,Marc

Thanks again for the advice, Marc. The fixture is probably too heavy for the old work plastic box.

Instead, I bought a Pass & Seymour retrofit fan box (http://www.amazon.com/Pass-Seymour-25-Cubic-Inch-Electrical-22200/dp/B0000DG9BG). Does that look like it will work? I was having second thoughts since it is designed for use in the ceiling.

Jumpyg.,,

that link you provide to us to see.,,

yes that will work in the wall which i do that from time to time to dealt with hevey vanity luminaires but just make sure you get it wrench tight not hand tight.

Merci,Marc

If you are close to the stud you could use one of these.

http://www.smartboxinc.com/New_Productos/Thumbnail/SBRND.jpg

Thanks again for the advice. :)

I got that fan brace installed between the studs. I tightened it down with a wrench, so it's not going anywhere. I patched the drywall, and now just have to finish with joint compound. I should have a new light up in a couple days.