How would you wire these lights

[info2x]

My attached garage has exactly two light sockets like most builder grade garage setups. I experimented with those as seen on TV LED panels that screw into the sockets but after having multiples die within a year it's time to upgrade to a proper setup.

I picked up 7 of these (6 for the main area and 1 for a small bump out). My initial plan was to remove the existing sockets, swap the boxes and use EMT with the fixtures mounted to the ceiling. Come to find out the knockouts on the sides are smaller than the usual 1/2" knockouts. The tops have normal 1/2" knockouts. As I'm not an electrician I'm thinking my best bet now is to hang the lights and run armored cable from some surface mounted boxes with EMT between them. Am I missing other good alternatives?

I'm not against returning the fixtures and buying others but I do like the idea of replaceable bulbs instead of entire units.

 

[sparky 1971]

mount a (or both) fixture(s) over the existing box(es) and pipe them together from there. If you only want to mount it over one of the boxes, put a blank plate over the other.

If it's the fixture and not the boxes with the smaller knockouts, use a 7/8" step bit and make the holes bigger. If it's the box that needs the hole larger you could also do that with a step bit, but clamp it down good, that metal is thick and the bit will grab. I usually put the box on edge between my feet, but it can hurt.

 

[info2x]

It might work but it's going to be tight. I'm not sure I could get the nut on the back since the hole will be almost the same height as the box in this case.

 

[sparky 1971]

Outside of a few undercabinet lights, I don't recall ever seeing a fixture with a KO too small for a 1/2" fitting. I'd be all about running a step bit in just to see if it would work and if it didn't I'd accept the fact I'm out $17. Or take them back and get something else. The fixtures in the best light fixture ever thread would work, or look for old 4' florescent strip lights and retro fit them to LED.

 

[bronc076]

My garage had the same setup as yours, I had easy access to the attic. I installed round old work boxes in the ceiling and ran NM-B from the original boxes to my new 4' ceiling boxes, then screwed the fixtures to the ceiling. It only took a few hours to install 7 fixtures.

Here is the box.

Old Work Box

 

[info2x]

My garage had the same setup as yours, I had easy access to the attic. I installed round old work boxes in the ceiling and ran NM-B from the original boxes to my new 4' ceiling boxes, then screwed the fixtures to the ceiling. It only took a few hours to install 7 fixtures.

Here is the box.

Old Work Box

If I had easy access that would be a reasonable path but I don't have access here

 

[PopcornSutton]

The knockouts look appropriate for romex connectors.

 

[chinboys]

There exists Led panels like the ones that you are trying to connect that have electrical cords already attached.
You are able to daisy chain them together and be able to control each fixture at its own pull chain switch.
Just purchase a light bulb to electric socket screw in converter.

 

[Max]

I had a similar situation in my shop. I used a step drill to get the knockout to the size I needed for EMT fittings. In thin sheet metal a step drill works very well to enlarge the hole to the size you need.

 

[bronc076]

If I had easy access that would be a reasonable path but I don't have access here

Which way do your ceiling joists or trusses run? In the past I've been able to fish the wires through the attic without access if the trusses are running parallel to my wire run as opposed to perpendicular. As long as you hand will fit through the hole for the old work box.

 

[nadogail]

I used those LED screw in lighting modules I upgraded the light lighting in my workshop.
They seem to work fine and look like they are going to last a long time.

 

[info2x]

I used those LED screw in lighting modules I upgraded the light lighting in my workshop.
They seem to work fine and look like they are going to last a long time.

I've had two of those fail. One was DOA and the other just gave up.

 

[bronc076]

What did you end up doing?

 

[info2x]

What did you end up doing?

I ended up fishing wires through the ceiling. Overall it wasn't too awful because I knew which way the trusses were oriented which allowed me to stay in the same cavity as much as possible. Still took a few hours but the result is really nice. I skipped the middle light because of the garage door opener. I can't say I miss it.

 

[Norcal]

My garage had the same setup as yours, I had easy access to the attic. I installed round old work boxes in the ceiling and ran NM-B from the original boxes to my new 4' ceiling boxes, then screwed the fixtures to the ceiling. It only took a few hours to install 7 fixtures.

Here is the box.

Old Work Box

While this is a old post, that Carlon box needs to be put out of it's misery, tossing it in the air & a 12 gauge should do quite well, Allied Molding makes a decent cut-in box......

 

[info2x]

While this is a old post, that Carlon box needs to be put out of it's misery, tossing it in the air & a 12 gauge should do quite well, Allied Molding makes a decent cut-in box......

Ha! I used two of those for the single bulb fixtures because that's where I tapped in for power. I used the normal retrofit boxes for the rest of the fixtures.

Can we say it's old if the OP (me) is still posting in it?

 

[Norcal]

Ha! I used two of those for the single bulb fixtures because that's where I tapped in for power. I used the normal retrofit boxes for the rest of the fixtures.

Can we say it's old if the OP (me) is still posting in it?

The post was from August, so not as old as some.

 

[bronc076]

I ended up fishing wires through the ceiling. Overall it wasn't too awful because I knew which way the trusses were oriented which allowed me to stay in the same cavity as much as possible. Still took a few hours but the result is really nice. I skipped the middle light because of the garage door opener. I can't say I miss it.

That turned out real nice! Good Job!

 

[info2x]

That turned out real nice! Good Job!

Thanks. Was a nice project. I'd say it was contained but nothing ever is. I ended up finding that the drywall had sagged pretty heavily in some spots so as I was hanging lights I was zipping screws in. I'll finish the patching in spring.