Hi all, first post here! I have the opportunity to pick up as many used 4'x2' flourescent fixtures as I can carry from an office building that's being renovated, and I'm thinking of using them in my basement and garage, both of which are unfinished. These light fixtures were installed in a dropped ceiling, but I don't have any ceiling grids, so I'm trying to think of a way I could install these without installing a grid. Each fixture has a suspension point on each corner which was used to add support to the fixture when it was placed in the grid. I'm considering using those to suspend the fixtures directly from the ceiling joists, but I have a few ideas on how to do it:
- Install nails or hooks on the ceiling joists; 4 per fixture, so I support each corner individually.
- Install hooks on the ceiling joists; only use 2 per fixture, with a chain that goes from the two suspension points on the 2' side of each side of the fixture (so each fixture uses two chains spanning from corner to corner on the short sides, and that chain then hooks to the hook attached to the joist).
- Drill holes in the body of the fixture and mount it directly to the ceiling. (I'm afraid this might compromize the structural integrity of the fixture; thoughts?)
I'm also not quite sure what the requirements would be for conduit, etc. I'm assuming I would need to run romex to a junction box (one per fixture), with flexible conduit running from the j box into the fixture. This would follow suit with the majority of the other newer wiring in my house. Do I need to do more/less here?
I'd appreciate your thoughts and ideas, thanks!
-Dan
