Any tips on securing 8' fixtures to the ceiling

[alpo]

Been lurking here for a while and have found lots of useful info. I have a 24 X 24 detached garage and have been busy on the inside wiring. I'm to the point now where I need to get some lighting up and went and bought two 8 foot Metalux High Output T12 2 lamp fixtures. I'm going to put up 4 but just got 2 right now. I noticed that there is no "instillation instructions" in the box but assembly looks pretty obvious. What I was wondering about, though, is securing them to the ceiling. How many secure points would be good to hold them. The box says they are about 24lbs each. I was thinking one large screw on each end into a rafter and maybe one in the middle. I don't have any drywall up on the ceiling yet, but want to at least get the two up for now and then will have to take them down when I get around to finishing the ceiling then I can get all 4 fixtures up.

 

[bdks]

There is usually a cover in middle of fixture that can be removed. Then screw holes are pre- drilled for attaching to ceiling.

 

[bmwpower]

3 points should be fine. If you were going to mount these with jackchain, there would probably be 3 mounting points, too. Just make sure you get good bite into the wood. Screws can hold a heck of a lot of weight...24 lbs. over 3 points is nothing.

 

[snorvet]

first i finished the ceiling drywall and primed the area where my 2 of lights were to go. then I installed the 8' lights by using 2" screws with washers every 16" into the ceiling joists. I used a 8' stepladder with a box on top to hold the other end of the fixture close to the ceiling while I screwed in the other end. now i have enough light to finish and prime the remaining drywall.

 

[DXD]

Some of the high output lights require that they be suspended to disipate heat--they should not be mounted directly to the ceiling.
I used two eyebolts on each of my lights with matching screw hooks on the ceiling. Suspends them just enough for some air space and easy to remove for repair or finishing the ceiling

 

[alpo]

Sounds like a good idea DXD. Never thought about the extra heat from the High Output ballasts. Will have to do some checking into that. But I like the idea of the hook and eye thing.

 

[astroracer]

My 8' 220V cold starts hang from the ceiling on chains. I run 5/16th in. J hooks into the ceiling to hang them from. You can see one at the top of this pic...

I'll be hanging three or four more tomorrow.
Mark

 

[ChucksCrib]

I think I used 4 1.625" sheet rock screws with about a 1" O.D. washer to fasten my 8 footers.

Chuck

 

[krooser]

four drywall screws have kept mine off of my head for about 10 years...

 

[alpo]

Thanks for all the advice. I got them up yesterday afternoon. I used eyebolts on the rafters and S hooks on the lite. Had to drill an extra hole so the hook would fit in the fixture and used three per light. Took out the ballast so it wouldn't be as heavy then assembled it after I got the bare fixture up. Worked out real well. Still think that when I get around to putting up drywall on the ceiling that I will secure them right to the ceiling. I still want a couple more fixtures but these will have to go in the area above where the 2 overhead doors come up and don't know if there is enough clearence when the doors are up and also will have to consider the door opener and track which I don't have yet but is in the future.