Elco Lighting 4" Low Voltage Remodel Non-IC Shallow Housing

Solves a unique problem

This is a unique item. It is one of the few recessed lighting housings on the market that can be installed in a ceiling which is constructed from 2x4s (not 2x6s or 2x8s). The quality of the housing and the trim (1421C) are very good. I have no complaints. In fact, the clip system for securing the housing works much better than the ones I've used on Halo equipment.

The only downsides: in a shallow (2x4) ceiling such as this and such a small hole, it is very hard to insert the housing into the ceiling. 90-degree clamps were necessary for the electric connections and they had to be positioned only on certain punchout positions or the fixture could not make it into the ceiling. I found it best to remove the screw at the top of the housing, thus detaching the circuit box from the fixture made things easier. This probably violates some rule but it was the only option I could figure out so that the fixture could be clipped in level with the ceiling. If I was designing this from scratch, the transformer would be positioned elsewhere, permitting electrical connections on the end of the device so that the cable clamps and cables can go into the ceiling hole first. This would make insertion much much easier.

In conclusion - if you have a 2x4 ceiling this is one of your few options. The housing works and is of good quality. It is just a little fussy to install.

on 01-06-2011 by Los Gatos DIYer