bathroom lights

[mzteris]

So I finally had the wallpaper striped and the bathroom painted (including the cabinets)

Now the get rid of the lovely hanging light fixtures. . .

There are two "swag" lamps - so one little circle thing in the middle of the bathroom wall. It's a double sink vanity. The light fixture I picked out - 4 lights - just looks TOO SMALL to go there. So - do I keep the swag look, find something 'longer' (which I haven't yet)

or -

try and put up two light sets - one over each sink.

There are already two sets of wires - that run to each swag. One little cirle thingie in the middle.

Could I just poke a hole in the walls over the sink - and run the wires to the new fixtures? Would I need a new box for each hole or just use the old box? (I'd just paint the current cover white to match the cabinets/trim and close it up.)

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Use cable raceway to run wire from the existing J-box to your new lights

The product, in general, looks like this stuff:

http://cableorganizer.com/surface-raceways/series500-raceways.html

There are a brazillion different bits and pieces. Find a retailer (not sure if the big box stores carry .... they probably do) and discuss your specific situation with them. This should be a quick and inexpensive solution for you.

Alternatively, if you don't want to do this yourself (and it isn't that hard) an electrician or even a handyman service should not be prohibitive. They can install a raceway **OR** they can move the existing box to where you need it and add a new one.

[mzteris]

2. thanks -

would I need new boxes if I can just run the wire sets already there to the new lights?

How hard would it be to "do new boxes" if I have to do that?

I'm all for whatever is easiest, cheapest, and looks best for the $$. (Though I do want to try and sell the house in the spring. )

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Well, to be honest, new boxes where you want the new lights is the right thing to do

That's not all that big a deal, really. You (probably) leave the existing box where it is, treat is as a junction box, and cap and bury it in the wall. Then you branch from that to where the new boxes will be. The new boxes can be located by using 'remodel' boxes, which anchor to the drywall or to the studs in clever ways that don't require any drywall removal to install. You'll also have to drill through a stud or two to run the new wires.

The final step is to patch the drywall and paint.

Honestly, this is a small job. An electrician or handyman can't charge all that much to do it.

The wire raceway is pretty much a do it yourself job ... but does require the use of the breaker to kill the circuit, a few wire nuts to connect in new wire, and maybe some basic tools to install the raceway. But at the end, you still see the raceway and the words 'homeowner remodel' will pop up in potential buyers' minds.

[mzteris]

4. This may sound like a dumb question -

but why do I need new boxes?

Can't I just run the existing wires - there are two running to each "swag lamp" now - behind the drywall and connect them to the two lights?


L..............................B..........................L


L = Light
B = Box
. = Wire

[Stinky The Clown]

5. Light fixtures are made to be mounted to boxes

And the wire used in the swags is very likely not the kind that is safe to bury in a wall. I'd guess it is essentially 'lamp cord' ...... absolutely not a good idea to bury that.

Really .... replacing the wire and adding the new boxes is not that hard. But it is almost impossible to explain what steps to take in your specific situation without seeing what you have.

Here is something **similar** to what you need to do ..... but this is for some kind of mirror defogger. That said, it involves a remodeling box and adding new wires.

http://mirrorinthemist.com/UL_installation/index.shtml

Here's another site with more similar - but NOT exact - work to what you need.

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/el_other/article/0,2037,DIY_13805_2451264,00.html

Lastly, here's a site with some sample projects for you to look through.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/elect/index.htm

[mzteris]

6. thanks!

Some of this looks like what I need to know.

The info about the wire makes sense, too.

[yy4me]

7. So simple, even I can do it. Seriously, this is not a hard job.

Let logic guide you. Go to one of the home improvement sites like DIY.com. They have all kinds of information on how to rewire stuff. Correct me if I'm wrong but you could use the current "circle thingie" as a junction box and run wires from that to the left and right to where your new fixtures will be. Properly ground your new work, attaching same color to same color, cap over. Cap off the old box, recess the old "thingie", and plaster over. Finish the area around the new boxes, attach the fixtures and cap over them with whatever caps come with your new lights. If none came with then, any hardware store sells them. You can paint them to blend in or leave them the color of your fixtures.

Throw your circuit first or the job might get a little shocking.