lighting question

[Donzi4me]

Getting close to wiring up for the ceiling lights. Question is; can a 2' x 4' fluorescent light fixture made for drop in ceilings be installed between my 2' spaced trusses? I really like the clean look of a recessed light fixture like the dropped ceiling style. Just wondering if I can drywall around them or if they will even fit between the trusses.

Also, if I go with the surface mount fixtures, would it be better with the wrap around lense or without it?

 

[boiler7904]

Some fixtures do have a drywall trim kit that will allow a lay-in style fixture to be flush mounted in a gypsum board ceiling. Depends on the manufacturer. I doubt that the fixutre will fit between the trusses as the fixture itself will be around 23" or 23 1/2" wide while the trusses should only have 22 1/2" clear (if they're 24" o.c.) between them. You won't know until you open up a fixture and take some measurements unless you can get a dimensioned manufacturers cut sheet.

As an alternative, You might be able to find 1' x 4' flush mount fixtures that would give you the look you're looking for. You would just need more of them to get the light level that you need (want).

Here's another thing to consider. If the space directly above the ceiling is insulated, you either need to use a surface mounted fixture or an insulation contact (IC) rated flush mounted fixture. Ignoring this could mean a fire.

 

[kyeakel]

I'm facing the same problem. The lights I wanted 4 bulb surface mounts weren,t rated to start at 0 degrees. The 4 bulb fixtures that fit into the 2x4 foot ceiling tile grid are good to 0 degrees and take the t8 bulbs. So I'm thinking about building surface mount boxes to house the lights. Since my ceilings are 16' I have the space. Need to cut in some vents in the sides to let any heat escape, but otherwise I don't see it being a problem.

Kipp

 

[jloveridge]

On a similar theme to the other questions in this thread, does anyone have a set up pretty much as Kipp describes that lives in a climate like Wisconsin?

I can see the logic in just using the fixtures identified as good down to 0 degrees. It very rarely gets that cold in my insulated but unheated garage. Maybe a couple times a year. I could spend the extra bucks for the fixtures rated down to -20 degrees. I just don't think it would be really needed.

Anybody have experience with either of these two low temp rated fixtures in a cold climate? Any problems with starting etc?

One thing I'm looking at is that the 4ft HO bulbs are about $6 each compared to about $3 for the T8's.

 

[rworkman98]

On a similar theme to the other questions in this thread, does anyone have a set up pretty much as Kipp describes that lives in a climate like Wisconsin?

I can see the logic in just using the fixtures identified as good down to 0 degrees. It very rarely gets that cold in my insulated but unheated garage. Maybe a couple times a year. I could spend the extra bucks for the fixtures rated down to -20 degrees. I just don't think it would be really needed.

Anybody have experience with either of these two low temp rated fixtures in a cold climate? Any problems with starting etc?

One thing I'm looking at is that the 4ft HO bulbs are about $6 each compared to about $3 for the T8's.

I used regular florescent fixtures in my old garage (located in northern Illinois).
I didn't bother paying the extra $$ for low-temp rated ones. My garage was insulated and had a heater, but I rarely kept it heated. Even when it was cold out, the fixtures would turn on with no problem. They just take a few more seconds to illuminate to their full intensity in the winter.

 

[jloveridge]

Thanks for the reply rworkman98. Mine should be very similar to yours weather wise, so that's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[draglink]

Donzi, I used the 2x4 flo. fixtures from Lowes. Its designed for drop ceilings, but fit perfectly between my 2'oc trusses. I dont remember what name brand they were. Take a measurement before you buy. I'm in the south so I dont know anything about the temp. rating. Mike