Quote:
Originally Posted by 70SATMan
Is it open space above the joists or is there sheathing/sub floor? Depending, I’d find it far more aggravating and time consuming installing wood hangers (even 2x4) between the joists. Each piece would need to measured pretty accurately for good fit. No way would I bother with 1x4 in the method you’re suggesting. Not because it wouldn’t hold, just the pain in the A$$ install work.
Since you’re saying you want to run the lights parallel with the joists and up into the space between the joists with nothing proud of the joist bottoms, I’d do lightweight chain IF there’s sheathing on top of the joists to screw into.
If nothing above the joists and your lighting layout has multiple fixtures lined up side by side, you could also drill perpendicular through the joists in-line and run heavy galv wire from one side completely through to the other which would create hangers like the 1x4s in your mind. Then hang the lights from the wire using S hooks.
I’d also use MC cable directly into the lights and not use boxes.
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Ok! I wanted to avoid going into the weeds but what the heck. You need to know more to better think outside the box. And maybe you'll point out some other ways I'm being dumb and bad. Please let me know I welcome all criticisms, constructive or not.
The fixtures are sunco vapor-sealed direct-wired single-sided led t8, they were $21 each. I'm feeding them with soow from a nema4x junction box. Six lights per box. The soow and liquidtight conduit travel through holes in the wood above the joist.
This is for a covered work area next to the house. The 2x12 joists are all covered by 2x12 cut diagonally lengthwise to provide a slope for the polycarbonate roof. So the overhead 'sheathing' is sloped.
The area is dry but for code and wiring purposes its the summit of k2.
You're sure right its tricky cutting the 1x4. I've made 8 pieces to 1/32 and they go right in but yeah its tedious. I just didn't think about the toe nailing. It is crappy wood but also its old dry douglas fir that doesn't want to be nailed.
I'm going to think through this wire idea. I'd need 4 wires and some small holes. I could build a piece to place the holes. Wow thats a pretty nifty idea.
Only thing that gives me pause is that the hanging fixtures can move and maybe that is no bueno because the soow comes through the joist above. With a static fixture there'd be no motion. I guess I'll need to ask inspector.