[Atroxx]

So my Grandmother wants me to put a new light fixture in her kitchen, here's the situation.

There is an old light light fixture above her sink. It is pull chain operated so obviously always hot. In front of the sink is a window. Slightly below and in front of the light is a weird piece of wood I can only describe as a "floating board". It runs between her cabinets and is only anchored down at the two points where it meets the cabinets. It sits about 6 to 8 inches away from the wall, obscuring the light from the old fixture, hence the need for a new light.

She wants me to install the new fixture on the actual piece of wood if possible. However, I'm not sure if code would allow that since I won't be able to put the wiring in a box, not including the fixture's housing of course, I would have to drill a hole and run the wiring through it.

The new fixture does not have a pull chain by the way, so I will either have to jump off the old fixture or run a switch leg, however, I believe the window will make it too difficult to run a switch leg because I'm sure there is a stud or two in there somewhere. There is a crawlspace in the ceiling, but no attic, so I don't think I will be able to fit in there to run wires above the studs.

So uhh, any ideas? I may be able to provide pictures in a couple of days, I need to get back out there soon to look at a few switches she says aren't working right.

 

[TazinCR]

Posting your pictures will get you some good advice. You might be able to use wire mold for your switch.

 

[kbsparky]

Think outside the box (pun intended) :jester:

1) Remove the existing fixture.
2) Connect a short piece of wire (romex if local codes allow)
3) Place a blank cover plate over the existing ceiling box, with a center knockout removed. Run your short jumper wire through that knockout with an appropriate connector.
4) Cut a hole in the center of your board, using a "pop-in" box or even a "Pancake" box for your new fixture.
5) Run your jumper wire to this new box.
6) Install another wire from this new box as your switch loop, fish it down the wall and install a wall switch.
7) Make up your new ceiling box, and mount your new fixture :whistling2:

 

[Atroxx]

Think outside the box (pun intended) :jester:

1) Remove the existing fixture.
2) Connect a short piece of wire (romex if local codes allow)
3) Place a blank cover plate over the existing ceiling box, with a center knockout removed. Run your short jumper wire through that knockout with an appropriate connector.
4) Cut a hole in the center of your board, using a "pop-in" box or even a "Pancake" box for your new fixture.
5) Run your jumper wire to this new box.
6) Install another wire from this new box as your switch loop, fish it down the wall and install a wall switch.
7) Make up your new ceiling box, and mount your new fixture :whistling2:

That's pretty much what I had in mind, except I was going to leave the old light fixture in place and jumper off the pullchain so that it will turn on both lights. I'm just not to certain if mounting the light to the board would be any sort of code infraction.

I even had in mind to crimp some push-in connectors on the jumper wires in case the board fell or someone comes after me and pulls the board down without realizing it has hot wires run to it. That way the connectors will pull apart and cut the power to the new fixture.

 

[220/221]

The light fixture on the board is not a great idea. The fixture will be pointing horizontally and you want it vertically.

Lose the board and install a proper fixture.

If you insist on mouting to the board, use a very shallow jbox (about 1" deep) and cut it into the board.Drill at an angle thru the box hole into the ceiling. Fish your cable into the existing Jbox and MOST of your work will be cocealed from view.


You could also build a small soffit in the space behind the board leaving it about 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the trim piece.. A few pieces of 2x2 and a small piece of drywall will do it. Then you can conceal the wiring and cut a proper box into the wood trim piece.

To switch the fixture, look in the closest recep box. The feed to the light may be in there and you may be able to install a switch along with the existing recep.

Of course, being a pull chain fixture, this is probably 1950's style wiring and the feed will come from the closest light jbox.

 

[jbfan]

I would add an extension ring, run wire mold down the side of one cabinet, install a switch and hang a pendent light below the valance panel you are talking about.

 

[Atroxx]

I should be able to get some pics posted tomorow, I think I might go see what's going on with those switches she told me about.