Barn light on rough sawn

[billconner]

I'm sure this has been answered but not sure what to search for. Want to mount a barn light with about a 6" round canopy on a "board" of board and batten siding. Plan is to cut in a 4" round box and wire from behind - probably EMT or FMC.

Do I try to "waterproof" the canopy to the board or just wrap connections with tape, like a Scotch Super 88 that I wrap rigid conduit joints with underground. I thought about slitting a piece of vinyl tube and pushing onto rolled edge of canopy - a gasket sort of. Also thought about a kind of counter flashing eyebrow above canopy but that seems silly.

I may be too worried about this. I've taken down enough exterior fixtures to know the wiring is usually heavily weathered and usually insect remains and stuff.

 

[starquestMM]

At my old house the box was behind the board and there was an 1" hole for the wires. I just siliconed the top half of the fixture. Maybe not the best way, but it wasn't anything you could see.

 

[Shiftless]

Is your canopy large enough to accommodate a pancake box that you could just screw to the board?

 

[billconner]

Is your canopy large enough to accommodate a pancake box that you could just screw to the board?

Maybe, but how does that help? I was focusing on water on the wiring in the canopy. It's basically an unheated barn if thinking about the building.

 

[Shiftless]

Maybe, but how does that help? I was focusing on water on the wiring in the canopy. It's basically an unheated barn if thinking about the building.

I thought your concern was water intrusion into your building.
If there is little to no overhang to protect the installation and you’re worried about water on the connection, you could smear silicon caulk over the wire connectors.
All of my 120 volt outdoor lights are mounted on surface mount aluminum boxes. I took no extra precautions with the connections…just wire nuts. But all my wall mounted lights are high up and under eaves. Plus we only get about 15-20 inches of rain a year.

 

[billconner]

It's a gable end wall. 16" overhang is 6' or so above fixture, and this is windward side. Lots of rain and snow here.

Maybe some water and insects in canopy is a non-issue. Just good connections, maybe some tape.

Thank you.

 

[snorvet]

Caulk (silicone) where the canopy meets the wall. And wrap the wire nuts with electrical tape. And check on the caulk every couple of years to see if it needs to be redone.

 

[Jay H 237]

Also make sure the wire nuts face up, so they can't fill with water