Can I use the same pot lights in my attic as I did in my basement???
I'm going to be adding recessed lighting in my living room. I have a bunch of left over lights from when I did over the downstairs as well as some of these . I was wondering if I can use these in the attic as I have the room to install them but I'm not sure if they need to be moisture proof or something.
If not please advise what I should use. I rather spend a little extra and do it right than try to just use what I have!
New work pot lights install between joists or studs. You can use them in the attic if there is a place to attach them. There won't be much distance between them and the floor so you won't get much beam spread.
Typically attics use porcelain pull chain fixtures and standard screw in bulbs.
PJmax I'm an idiot, I don't think I explained myself very well. What I meant was, I am installing them in my living room ceiling. The housing will be in the attic so they will be mounted in the attic between the ceiling joists.
You can use them in the living room ceiling with the back box being in the attic as long as they are IC rated. They must be rated to be covered by insulation. You can't leave pot lights uncovered in the attic.
Personally, I've switched over to 100% using the wafer LED fixtures for recessed lights. They are easier to install and cheaper than the can + trim + bulb. They also don't displace insulation, so they are easier to install in your situation too.
As Pete mentioned, they need to be IC rated as well as they will be installed in contact with insulation.
Personally, I've switched over to 100% using the wafer LED fixtures for recessed lights. They are easier to install and cheaper than the can + trim + bulb. They also don't displace insulation, so they are easier to install in your situation too.
I currently have two extra cans and about 10 extra lights from my basement remodel so I would only need to buy two cans at about $15 each to do the job. Either way, could you link me to the units you use so I can see exactly what I would need if I did go the route?
Thanks Zorfdt, I actually ended up going with the wafers because the cans weren't allowing me to put the lights exactly where I wanted them.
I just installed all the lights ran all the wires and the first light is right next a junction box (pictured below) I was able to get the lights to turn on by connecting it as shown in the picture. The arrow indicates the NEW wafer light wire.
I have a Lutron caseta dimmer that requires no neutral that I planned to just leave in the attic and use the pico remote to control the lights from down stairs. How would I go about attaching the lutron switch? I think I blew one already because I connected something I shouldn't have :/
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
EDIT:
I've attached a diagram of how I think it should be connected. Please tell me if this is correct.
Your wiring diagram is correct. I would put the dimmer in a separate box, since that one seems pretty full as-is.
Also just double check that it's on a 15A breaker. It looks like you're using 14ga wire, but the older wires look thicker - though older wires used more insulation, so I might be looking at it incorrectly. Just want to be sure that 14ga wire isn't on a 20A breaker.
I am replacing a overhead light with a ceiling fan for a nursery. There was only one switch, so I was going to be okay with just having both the fan and light on the same switch, but when opening everything up, there seems to be a lot of wires in here. I believe they had a fan before (but I am not sure). The original light at two blacks hooked up to one orange in the box and two whites hooked up to 4 whites in the box. The box also has 4 blues hooked up to each other and nothing else. The switch has 2 black wires (though pretty clear what is going on here) and the orange is to one, but the blue wires are now hooked up to the switch and the whites just pass on through. It seems to me that maybe wire colors got switched in the wall somewhere? Does it seem reasonable to be able to put the ceiling fan to the blue wires in the ceiling, white wires in the switch? Thanks for any input. See attached pictures.
[img]https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x901/20220206_151045_15f03272c1b17c7c90c8857ba04dfac7c807bff8.jpg[/img]
[img]https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x901/20220206_151058_d71cc142c5997546e0a0b6d1e941297fea85eff4.jpg[/img]
[img]https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x901/20220206_151026_817034534e904c55ba31cda89a0d92ed2674e3f8.jpg[/img]
[i]Back of light for reference [/i]
01-20-22, 01:26 PM
Can I use the same pot lights in my attic as I did in my basement???
