I have a house full of old HALO H7ICT recessed light fixtures. Recently, the one over my kitchen sink went dead. After inspecting it more closely, I noticed the contact at the bottom of the socket was broken/burned off (see first picture). It’s pretty clear the copper tab that made contact with the light bulb previously is gone and is the reason for the dead fixure. What should I do? The light fixture is like $8 on Amazon. No big deal. But could I go to the hardware store and just get the ceramic piece shown in the pictures perhaps? Does anyone have some advice on which course to take? Perhaps there is an new electric reccessed light fixture that would retro fit this unit without requiring me to go up into the attic (a difficult trip). The trim ring is pretty old and skank too.
Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.
Mike
Replies
Yeah, should be fairly simple to replace the socket. If nothing else you can probably buy a cheap can and swap sockets (check that they're the same first).
Hard to say if you can pull that can from below to replace it. I have also read from time to time of slip-in replacement cans, usually designed to update from incandescent to CFL, eg, but I can't point you at any.
Replacing and Adding Cans
Yes, at some point, I'd like to look into replacing these cans. Also interested in putting in another one on the same circuit where there are already four. Do you think this requires a big recalculation of amperage or should I be safe making the addition? Any thoughts on a good place to research replacement cans? Thank for your help. A huge fan of Herman Melville.
Regards,
Mike
You can trip that breaker and get a pretty good idea what else is on that circuit. As long as you are not overloading it you will be fine.
The future will actually be reducing that load because of the new governmemnt mandated light bulbs.
It's pretty much unheard of for a lighting circuit to be close to it's limit, but the suggestion to trip the breaker and count is a good one, just to be safe.
Healdsburg wrote:
Yes, at some point, I'd like to look into replacing these cans. Also interested in putting in another one on the same circuit where there are already four. Do you think this requires a big recalculation of amperage or should I be safe making the addition? Any thoughts on a good place to research replacement cans? Thank for your help. A huge fan of Herman Melville.
Regards,
Mike
Look for a remodel can if you add another-know the joist location and anything else that might be above the ceiling.
After layout and pretty sure nothing is above. Drill a small hole-insert a bent wire the radius of the can you are using-spin it around to see if it makes contact with anything ..................
I wouldn't be the farm, but you should be ok to cut the can hole...............................................................................................................................................................
Thanks.
Thanks for the response. I guess I'll go onto a good website to buy. The local hardware store doesn't seem to carry them. The connection to the socket looks kind of tricky. Do I need a special crimping tool or would it make more sense just to splice the wire. This later idea sounds like it might not be code compliant. Maybe they make an equivalent with screwable contacts. Thanks again for the help. Mike
The socket I mentioned has screw terminals. Just cut the old socket wires off, strip the wires and screw them to the socket. Match the colors correctly. You can order them to an ace or doitbest etc hardware and they will ship to store for free, in a week or two.
Perfect
Just ordered it on Amazon (got free shipping). Thanks again for all your help.
Mike
This is the time to look into converting these heaters into LED'd. The kits at the big box stores are simple to use, provide great light and save you in electrical costs.
Recessed can?
I'd replace the thing with an ordinary toilet