Do I need a ceiling box?

*Stic-o* · 08-18-2009, 01:43 PM

I bought some pendant lights from Ikea that I'm going to install over our bar. The lights are made to just hang by there cord and have a standard plug on the end of a 15' cord.

My plan is to hard wire them into a switch. My qustion is, where I'm installing them, there are no lights. Do I need to install boxs? or can I get away with them just hanging by there wire as they were designed..

rhyno · 08-18-2009, 02:49 PM

My take would be that if you splice into the wires just above the lights in the ceiling, then yes it would be a good idea to use a box. Then again i am no electrician and i shock myself often when doing electrical work.

**Tbars4** · 08-18-2009, 03:40 PM

...Go to home depot and ask for a Fan Master Jr....just cut a hole and mount it to the joist...It makes wiring easy..

...I want to say they sell for about $7 bucks each at HD...This is a link to what they look like...
http://www.csnceilingfans.com/asp/sh...=SS244851&df=1

*Stic-o* · 08-18-2009, 05:21 PM

My question comes because they were ment to hang by there cord. They come with a celling hook and "S" shaped hanger. A celling box is ment to carry the weight of the figture, but this is just a cord....there is nothing to mount to the box. (plus they are super light)

My plan was to just use the "S" hook to hang them inside a ceiling canopy kit, and then just screw the kit into the drywall. or somthing like that

**Dannyboy** · 08-18-2009, 05:52 PM

pics of lights! A " Old work" box will hold it's own weight plus the weight of those lights I'm sure. Any electric splice is required to be in a box. In the event your place ever burned down, it would be a big problem with the insurance company even if it didn't cause the problem. I've been finding repairs for this left and right through my remodel.

They have them in round and 1 gang.

**Tbars4** · 08-18-2009, 05:54 PM

...I use those box's for what you are doing a lot when installing pendant lights as I believe that is what you have...Unless, the light cap you have is smaller than 4"...A picture of what you are working with might help...

...The splicing in the box is so it is accessible in case of a short, remodeling later, and in case there is a spark, it is in an enclosed non burning element...

*Stic-o* · 08-18-2009, 06:00 PM

Don't what it matters but they look like this. The cord just has a plug on the end for a standard outlet

I bought seperate light caps to hide the hole the wire that goes into the celling. Otherwise the cord would just stickout of the celling

or faset in this case..

Ok this is a picture from when we first moved...you'll have to work with me here. I have sense ripped out the cabinets/Shelf over the bar to opened up the kitchen. I'll get a updated picture soon. But that shows you where they will go.

**BrooklynBay** · 08-18-2009, 07:33 PM

What about using a swag light kit with ceiling hooks, chain, thumb switch, and wire?

*Joe Dirt* · 08-18-2009, 09:31 PM

Ok, I'll confess- I read the mouse over preview before clicking, and I was thinking "Why the f*** is Stic-o putting lights from Ikea on his Explorer?"

God, how lame I felt...

After reading the actual POST... (

) My Dad used the same things that Tbars mentioned when we put up similar lights in his kitchen...

**Tbars4** · 08-18-2009, 09:35 PM

....If your ceiling mount cover has 2 holes for screws, you can use the work box Danny posted...All you do is run the cord thru your ceiling mount and tie a loose not so it hangs at the height you want...

...Cut the plug end off and wire it normally in the work box....

**Tbars4** · 08-18-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Dirt

Ok, I'll confess- I read the mouse over preview before clicking, and I was thinking "Why the f*** is Stic-o putting lights from Ikea on his Explorer?"

...Swag lights for your vehicle, it's a California thing...

*Joe Dirt* · 08-19-2009, 12:33 AM

I was thinking of a couple of these:

*Stic-o* · 08-19-2009, 12:34 AM

^ No no those are for the campsite like t-haven

*Joe Dirt* · 08-19-2009, 08:06 AM

That makes much more sense. What about some Billy bookshelves?

tdavis · 08-19-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Dirt

That makes much more sense. What about some Billy bookshelves?

Firewood at Truckhaven..

*Stic-o* · 08-19-2009, 03:22 PM

Here's what the living room looks like these days

**Tbars4** · 08-19-2009, 03:29 PM

...Alright..

...Who cleaned up all my toy's???

...It looks so much better now...

**Dannyboy** · 08-19-2009, 04:30 PM

alright, so if these are really light and don't need anything more than it's own cord to support the weight I'd start shopping for something like in the picture, it will need to have 2 screws that will mount into the round box, as Ted mentioned, get desired length and tie a knot in the cord so it will stay at that height. Loop to each box (for 3 or so) and chain together your lights. All connections will be in a box and head back to a switch.

I have purchase a solid white cap to cover a box but never anything cosmetic like what I think would look good here. Head on over to Lowe's or Home Depot. Also, check the ceiling fan aisle, they have a lot of retro fitting parts that are pretty slick that may work.

**Dannyboy** · 08-19-2009, 04:36 PM

couple options

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...-2KIr-M6mSkLcP

or
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...CAFY_8NfLkzbkP

**Tbars4** · 08-19-2009, 07:16 PM

...That second option we use as a blank cap for already wired ceiling fan boxes...I have 2-3 used ones of those in the back of my Ranger if that will help..

08-18-2009, 01:43 PM	#1
Stic-o Elite Movie Star Tujunga, CA '99 XL 4x4 & '06 XLT 4x2 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 12,439 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Do I need a ceiling box? I bought some pendant lights from Ikea that I'm going to install over our bar. The lights are made to just hang by there cord and have a standard plug on the end of a 15' cord. My plan is to hard wire them into a switch. My qustion is, where I'm installing them, there are no lights. Do I need to install boxs? or can I get away with them just hanging by there wire as they were designed.. __________________ The JP Mobile ~'99 Explorer XL The Mall Crawler ~'06 Explorer XLT The Tow Rig ~ '05 F-150 SuperCrew The Commuter ~ '10 Focus SES Last edited by Stic-o; 08-18-2009 at 01:52 PM. Reason: .

08-18-2009, 02:49 PM	#2
rhyno Wannabe Elite Explorer Potomac, MD 1997 EB Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 548 Vehicle Specs	My take would be that if you splice into the wires just above the lights in the ceiling, then yes it would be a good idea to use a box. Then again i am no electrician and i shock myself often when doing electrical work. __________________ 2002 Limited 1997 Eddie (SOLD)

08-18-2009, 03:40 PM	#3
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22,164 Vehicle Specs	...Go to home depot and ask for a Fan Master Jr....just cut a hole and mount it to the joist...It makes wiring easy.. ...I want to say they sell for about $7 bucks each at HD...This is a link to what they look like... http://www.csnceilingfans.com/asp/sh...=SS244851&df=1 __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here Last edited by Tbars4; 08-18-2009 at 09:36 PM.

08-18-2009, 05:21 PM	#4
Stic-o Elite Movie Star Tujunga, CA '99 XL 4x4 & '06 XLT 4x2 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 12,439 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	My question comes because they were ment to hang by there cord. They come with a celling hook and "S" shaped hanger. A celling box is ment to carry the weight of the figture, but this is just a cord....there is nothing to mount to the box. (plus they are super light) My plan was to just use the "S" hook to hang them inside a ceiling canopy kit, and then just screw the kit into the drywall. or somthing like that __________________ The JP Mobile ~'99 Explorer XL The Mall Crawler ~'06 Explorer XLT The Tow Rig ~ '05 F-150 SuperCrew The Commuter ~ '10 Focus SES

08-18-2009, 05:52 PM	#5
Dannyboy Other Make & Models Mod 43°48′48″N 91°13′59″W 91 4 do' Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,411 Vehicle Specs	pics of lights! A " Old work" box will hold it's own weight plus the weight of those lights I'm sure. Any electric splice is required to be in a box. In the event your place ever burned down, it would be a big problem with the insurance company even if it didn't cause the problem. I've been finding repairs for this left and right through my remodel. They have them in round and 1 gang. __________________ In chatrooms I'm a 14 year old girl 91 long travel 4x4 94 Limited The Diva 2007 cadillac escalade

08-18-2009, 05:54 PM	#6
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22,164 Vehicle Specs	...I use those box's for what you are doing a lot when installing pendant lights as I believe that is what you have...Unless, the light cap you have is smaller than 4"...A picture of what you are working with might help... ...The splicing in the box is so it is accessible in case of a short, remodeling later, and in case there is a spark, it is in an enclosed non burning element... __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

08-18-2009, 06:00 PM	#7
Stic-o Elite Movie Star Tujunga, CA '99 XL 4x4 & '06 XLT 4x2 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 12,439 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Don't what it matters but they look like this. The cord just has a plug on the end for a standard outlet I bought seperate light caps to hide the hole the wire that goes into the celling. Otherwise the cord would just stickout of the celling or faset in this case.. Ok this is a picture from when we first moved...you'll have to work with me here. I have sense ripped out the cabinets/Shelf over the bar to opened up the kitchen. I'll get a updated picture soon. But that shows you where they will go. __________________ The JP Mobile ~'99 Explorer XL The Mall Crawler ~'06 Explorer XLT The Tow Rig ~ '05 F-150 SuperCrew The Commuter ~ '10 Focus SES Last edited by Stic-o; 08-18-2009 at 06:11 PM.

08-18-2009, 07:33 PM	#8
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,807 Vehicle Specs	What about using a swag light kit with ceiling hooks, chain, thumb switch, and wire? __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

08-18-2009, 09:31 PM	#9
Joe Dirt Making the mostest Holland, MI '00 V8 XLT Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 13,596 Vehicle Specs	Ok, I'll confess- I read the mouse over preview before clicking, and I was thinking "Why the f*** is Stic-o putting lights from Ikea on his Explorer?" God, how lame I felt... After reading the actual POST... () My Dad used the same things that Tbars mentioned when we put up similar lights in his kitchen... __________________ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 My registry

08-18-2009, 09:35 PM	#10
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22,164 Vehicle Specs	....If your ceiling mount cover has 2 holes for screws, you can use the work box Danny posted...All you do is run the cord thru your ceiling mount and tie a loose not so it hangs at the height you want... ...Cut the plug end off and wire it normally in the work box.... __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

08-19-2009, 12:33 AM	#12
Joe Dirt Making the mostest Holland, MI '00 V8 XLT Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 13,596 Vehicle Specs	I was thinking of a couple of these: __________________ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 My registry Last edited by Joe Dirt; 08-19-2009 at 08:05 AM.

08-19-2009, 12:34 AM	#13
Stic-o Elite Movie Star Tujunga, CA '99 XL 4x4 & '06 XLT 4x2 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 12,439 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	^ No no those are for the campsite like t-haven __________________ The JP Mobile ~'99 Explorer XL The Mall Crawler ~'06 Explorer XLT The Tow Rig ~ '05 F-150 SuperCrew The Commuter ~ '10 Focus SES

08-19-2009, 08:06 AM	#14
Joe Dirt Making the mostest Holland, MI '00 V8 XLT Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 13,596 Vehicle Specs	That makes much more sense. What about some Billy bookshelves? __________________ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 My registry

08-19-2009, 03:22 PM	#16
Stic-o Elite Movie Star Tujunga, CA '99 XL 4x4 & '06 XLT 4x2 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 12,439 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Here's what the living room looks like these days __________________ The JP Mobile ~'99 Explorer XL The Mall Crawler ~'06 Explorer XLT The Tow Rig ~ '05 F-150 SuperCrew The Commuter ~ '10 Focus SES

08-19-2009, 03:29 PM	#17
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22,164 Vehicle Specs	...Alright.. ...Who cleaned up all my toy's??? ...It looks so much better now... __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

08-19-2009, 04:30 PM	#18
Dannyboy Other Make & Models Mod 43°48′48″N 91°13′59″W 91 4 do' Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,411 Vehicle Specs	alright, so if these are really light and don't need anything more than it's own cord to support the weight I'd start shopping for something like in the picture, it will need to have 2 screws that will mount into the round box, as Ted mentioned, get desired length and tie a knot in the cord so it will stay at that height. Loop to each box (for 3 or so) and chain together your lights. All connections will be in a box and head back to a switch. I have purchase a solid white cap to cover a box but never anything cosmetic like what I think would look good here. Head on over to Lowe's or Home Depot. Also, check the ceiling fan aisle, they have a lot of retro fitting parts that are pretty slick that may work. __________________ In chatrooms I'm a 14 year old girl 91 long travel 4x4 94 Limited The Diva 2007 cadillac escalade

08-19-2009, 04:36 PM	#19
Dannyboy Other Make & Models Mod 43°48′48″N 91°13′59″W 91 4 do' Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,411 Vehicle Specs	couple options http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...-2KIr-M6mSkLcP or http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...CAFY_8NfLkzbkP __________________ In chatrooms I'm a 14 year old girl 91 long travel 4x4 94 Limited The Diva 2007 cadillac escalade

08-19-2009, 07:16 PM	#20
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22,164 Vehicle Specs	...That second option we use as a blank cap for already wired ceiling fan boxes...I have 2-3 used ones of those in the back of my Ranger if that will help.. __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here