Hi again folks,

This time I'm replacing a front porch light. The box for the old light (pictured below) looks like a switch or outlet box, rather than a circular porch light box. Before I remove this thing and start making a mess, do you have any suggestions on what to do about the box? I guess I don't have too many options since it's brick, and I'm assuming I'll just have to install the new one in a similar fashion as the old one (and maybe caulk those gaps in the corner). But I figure I'd ask first :-)

Thanks!

 

Maybe buy a fixture with a larger base to cover the hole.

Replacement fixtures will come with a fixture bar to attach the fixture to that box.

 

Yep, it came with that circular plate you pictured below to attach to the fixture.

Thanks for the tip...I'll see if any of the other lights have a bigger base. Otherwise I wonder if I could use one of those plastic blocks you use on siding.

Nothing is ever quick and simple is it lol

 

I usually use a 2x3 gem box in brick but even that is sometimes too large.

You can use an Arlington 8161 but it's white. It is paintable plastic however.
Arlington 8161

 

Ok, I'm getting back to finishing this project and had a quick question on how to properly ground the light fixture.

The box in the wall is metal and the house's ground wire is going to a metal clip in the box. The new light fixture also has a ground wire that the directions say to attach to the green screw on the circular fixture plate that comes with the light.

So should I leave the house's ground wire on the metal clip, and the new fixture's ground wire to the green screw on the metal fixture plate? Or should I put these two ground wires into one wire nut, and then use a pigtail out to a new green screw in the box?

 

You can attach the fixture's ground wire directly to the ground wire in the box.

The green screw on the fixture bar is for use when the box is grounded but you can't get to the ground wire. An example of this would be if metal clad cable like BX was used.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Upon further inspection, I don't think there's much I can do with the ground wire that goes to the clip. I mean, "it's really in there", including some mortar that would block me from removing the clip without destroying it. See attached picture. I guess in theory I could cut that ground wire and then attach the two ends of that wire and the ground wire from the fixture together in a wire nut. But that sounds sketchy to me. Or can i just put the fixture's ground wire to the green screw on the fixture bar?


Red arrow is showing the existing clip.

 

That looks too short to mess with.
Use the fixture bar and green screw for your fixture ground.

 

Thx again for your help, it came out great (see pic below).

Quick question for the “other” side of the wall. I was replacing the light switch for this fixture and the electrical box is a bit “full” at this point. The Wifi switch I’m adding requires a neutral wire and I currently have 5 neutral wires in that box going to one big wire nut. I can’t imagine getting another wire in there. Any suggestions? I guess I could use two of those 4-port Ideal in-sure push in connectors, but again, I’m quickly running out of room in the box. I already have two of those in there for the black wires (pictured) and jumped “together”. Maybe I need to see if Home Depot sells a 6-port one.

I’m kind of in the same situation for the ground wire. There are currently 4 ground wires coupled together and clipped to the metal box. A 5th metal wire is attached to a green screw on the box. I need to add 1 more ground wire for this switch. Is it ok to just add it to a different green screw in the box, or is that just not kosher?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-34-Yellow-In-Sure-4-Port-Connector-100-Pack-30-1034P/202894312]Ideal 4-port connector[/url]

 

Nice job in the installation.
Yes... you can add an additional green screw.