[tomn68]

I'm trying to replace some 25 year old floodlights with a new Ring Floodlight Cam. The previous lights were installed flush to the house on cedar plank siding. This I think was done after the home was built. The electric box that is in there however is odd which I haven't seen before. The box is sort of round with two metal flat pieces with screw holes so that you can place the box into the round cut out and then screw into the siding.

Here's a pic of the existing box...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1ZusoPQYP1xpFTWy6

Unfortunately the ring is a standard size flood light expecting a standard round electrical box. It doesn't fit the existing so it won't have a complete seal allowing water to enter the Ring lights.

I haven't found any electrical outdoor box that would be inserted into a cutout so that the light can be mounted flush to the siding. The ones that I have found are more for interior and I don't see how I could get them to work. Would I be looking for an electrical box that would not be inserted and if so, would I have a problem having a 3.5" hole to cover.

Here's a video of what it looks like and how it won't fit the Ring.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Jim Port]

You have a standard 8B box. Why is the Ring not fitting?

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

I see that the fixture fits fine in that box.

Any normal sized round or octagon box will work. You had a normal sized round box, but then removed it for some reason. I would use a metal box, not plastic. Metal is stronger. If you are worried about the depth, use a shallow box. You will never get the box flush, and you to not want it to be flush with the wood. You do not want the gasket to be around the box edge. That is to keep the fixture snug to the wall. That will be enough to keep out water. I would use some silicone caulk around the top side of the fixture.

 

[Jim Port]

You will never get the box flush, and you to not want it to be flush with the wood.

Wrong again Handy.

The NEC requires a box in a combustible surface to be flush or proud of the surface.

 

[Kevin_Essiambre]

You will never get the box flush, and you to not want it to be flush with the wood.

Wrong again Handy.

The NEC requires a box in a combustible surface to be flush or proud of the surface.

All add on to what you said...

The Canadian Electrical Code has the same rule.

 

[tomn68]

I see that the fixture fits fine in that box.

Any normal sized round or octagon box will work. You had a normal sized round box, but then removed it for some reason. I would use a metal box, not plastic. Metal is stronger. If you are worried about the depth, use a shallow box. You will never get the box flush, and you to not want it to be flush with the wood. You do not want the gasket to be around the box edge. That is to keep the fixture snug to the wall. That will be enough to keep out water. I would use some silicone caulk around the top side of the fixture.

I removed the box because the box was sagging out of the siding allowing water to flow in through the top. One screw was also not holding in cracked cedar. I also removed another flood light that had similar issues. This other one had it's connector cracked and again sagging out of the hole due to the weight of the old heavy flood light.

The box was 3 1/2 inches. I didn't think that was standard.

 

[tomn68]

You have a standard 8B box. Why is the Ring not fitting?

Hi Jim

I was expecting that the box would be the same size round as the ring's plate or close to it at least. I think this box would allow water in no? I don't think I would be able to tighten the plate enough on to the box so that it seals to the siding?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cWPBqwtBs37jUeMF8

I had bought this box which I thought might work (I think for a ceiling) where the flanges would close and tighten around the back of the siding and it has a lip to seal but the flanges are meant just for drywall and not siding+plywood (it only opens 1 inch).

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kCdNNtXH2xNpHTQ66
https://photos.app.goo.gl/BvLYw3wNuY2nFcWJ8

From pictures of others install Ring and other floodlights it appeared that the box was the same size round as the plate.

Also, I went to buy a replacement box for the other one that was cracked but I can't find anything like this one at the big box stores and my local electrical supply store.

 

[Kevin_Essiambre]

Oh, if you're worried about the light not sealing water tight against the siding, you shouldn't be.

I always run a bead of high quality window and door silicone 340° around lights, leaving a small gap at the bottom to let condensation/moisture out.

As far as the box goes, someone else will have to help with that... the USA has very different products than Canada does, so it's a little hard for me to recommend something that may be different.

 

[Jim Port]

You could surface mount one of these.

http://www.aifittings.com/catalog/siding-mounting-blocks/siding-box-kits-for-fixtures-and-devices/

 

[tomn68]

OK so I had some success. I removed the box and used this siding mounting block with a very very shallow box.

https://www.amazon.com/Arlington-Industries-8161-Plates-White/dp/B000KKHUEO/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Arlington+Industries+siding+mounting+block&qid=1593179802&s=hi&sr=1-2

Since the existing hole was roughly 4" the mounting holes were aligned over the hole in the siding so I drilled out a top and bottom hole through the mounting block and was then able to screw into the cedar siding into the plywood beneath. I'll add some silicone to give it a good seal.

Here's how it looks...

https://share.icloud.com/photos/06hDFV6tod_X_tM7sencPNglg#Randolph

What do you think?

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

It looks as if there is no silicone around the top and sides of that beauty ring. Water will get behind it.