I am thinking about changing to kitchen recess lights into hanging pendant lights over an island. From what I can see it looks like the openings for the recess lights are larger than the replacement pendant lights. Any recommendations on how to approach this issue? Would it be a difficult task to accomplish?

Thanks in advanced!

 

The stores do sell what are known as "barboxes" these are boxe4s affixed to an adjustable bar and mount between the floor joists.
You can remove the existing cans and un wire them, install the new barbox put the wires in them and patch around them.
Make sure the bars are secure and the box is flush with the finishe ceiling.

Make sure the power is OFF.

 

Would it be better or faster to have an electrician do this or could a DIY have success with these "barboxes"?

 

Most definatly, you, with minimul skills could do it.
It most definatley will take YOU longer. But if you are somewhat handy (and practical) you could pull it off.

 

Convert it to a pendant light with a simple screw in adapter. www.worthhomeproducts.com
Adapter, cover plate and adjustable length pendant light all in a simple screw in unit. Less than $50 and it takes about 2 minutes to screw it in and you're done. No rewiring or removing the old recessed can.

 

It is an easy task if you have a little know-how on electrical problem, but if not? better to invite your friend who knows how to DIY such a thing.

You can also grab a few wire nuts and another box and 15 amp wiring and find the closest stud in your ceiling near where you want it and make the hole, fasten the box. Use a special box if your fixture will be heavy. run the wiring from one box to the other with the power off! punch out the disk for the new wiring to go in the box leaving a little more wire to work with. wire the new wire in with the black wire to black, white wire to white, ground to ground with wire nuts. use mounting brackets from your new light and install it to your box, connect new pendant light fixture.

 

fjinva,
Looks like a pretty nifty solution to an old problem.

 

fjinva.,,

that is a nice idea but becarefull with that some have weight restriction on it especally if you have remodel cans forget it you can't really put much weight on them at all due the clips on there.

luckytiff02.,,

IMO what you describing is not bad idea but however you have to understand that you can NOT bury any junction boxes at all [ it is not allowed per NEC and CEC codes ]

Merci,Marc

 

I used one of these 'monopoint retrofit canopies' http://www.brilliantlighting.com/pro...t~Canopies.htm that are designed exactly for this purpose. Once you install it over the can opening (having screwed in the power source adapter) you then just attach a compatible pendant...pretty simple really.