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Discussion Forum

Can lights in “no attic” application?

pgproject | Posted in General Discussion on September 11, 2007 10:43am

Penthouse condo- 2×6 rafters, 1/2″ SR on inside- designer wants some 3″ 50w halogen recessed lights installed in the ceiling. Instructions say they require 3″ clearance to insulation. That’s fine, but my question is, does this assume ‘open air’ above the cans? In this application, the top of the can will almost touch the roof sheathing (no attic). In the summer, the black shingles soak up a lot of heat, so I’m anticipating that the lights might overheat even with the required insulation clearance.

Any of you have experience with this?

Thanks

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Replies

  1. User avater
    IMERC | Sep 11, 2007 10:48pm | #1

    3" top side also....

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!
    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    1. pgproject | Sep 11, 2007 10:56pm | #3

      Oh, of course...thanks

      1. User avater
        IMERC | Sep 11, 2007 11:09pm | #4

        why not????Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

        WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

        1. pgproject | Sep 11, 2007 11:33pm | #5

          huh...?

          1. User avater
            IMERC | Sep 12, 2007 12:15am | #6

            just sarcasim...

            no matter what ya try to do alternate plans is a good thing to have a pocket full of...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

            WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  2. MikeHennessy | Sep 11, 2007 10:56pm | #2

    They make 4" IC-rated cans, but they're scarce and trim options are limited.

    Mike Hennessy
    Pittsburgh, PA

  3. User avater
    xxPaulCPxx | Sep 12, 2007 01:39am | #7

    They make low depth 6" IC cans for 2x6.  Inside it will tell you what bulb you can mount.

    Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

    Also a CRX fanatic!

    If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts.  You nut, you.

  4. JTC1 | Sep 12, 2007 01:42am | #8

    Non-IC cans which you describe require the open air situation, I don't think they will work for you.

    Not positive on IC cans, but I believe they can be buried in insulation including over their tops.

    Best plan of attack: 1) find a local supplier of an IC can which you like, 2) contact manufacturer and ask tech rep question directly about the clearance to the underside of the roof.

    Results may surprise you - for example Halo 6" air-tight, IC cans can be completely buried in insulation but need 1/2" clearance to framing lumber (although that 1/2" can be filled with insulation).

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

  5. mikeys | Sep 12, 2007 06:15am | #9

    We had a similar situation and the electrician and the architect said that even with IC cans if there is nowhere for the heat to escape it's trouble.

     Apparently heat will build up, overheat the safety, lights go out, safety cools, lights go on, repeat.

     We just remodeled another house and customer reports cans going off and on. We'll be going into the attic and pushing back insulation to see if that fixes it.

     

    1. User avater
      xxPaulCPxx | Sep 12, 2007 09:37am | #10

      I'm curious what the current wattage is in those cans, and what trim is mounted?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

      Also a CRX fanatic!

      If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts.  You nut, you.

  6. MartinHolladay | Sep 12, 2007 12:01pm | #11

    PGP,

    Everyone is answering your question from an electrian's perspective, trying to help you find a fixture that will still work in a difficult location.  But no one, yet, has mentioned another problem:  You are proposing eliminating the insulation in your cathedral ceiling bay.  Where I live, that is a big no-no.  I don't know the code in San Francisco, but I imagine that even in the mild areas of California, there are code requirements for ceiling insulation.  R-19?  More?  That would be ABOVE the can fixture, not just "nearby."  Bottom line -- you can't install a can fixture in an insulated 2x6 rafter bay.



    Edited 9/12/2007 1:31 pm ET by MartinHolladay

    1. pgproject | Sep 12, 2007 07:46pm | #12

      Well, that's certainly interesting. I had no idea insulation was REQUIRED, but it makes sense.Bill

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