Existing recessed lighting upgrade retrofit

[jeromedawg]

Hi all,

I ordered a pack of these from Amazon in hopes of upgrading and retrofitting the existing recessed lighting in my hallway:
http://www.amazon.com/Dimmable-Downlight-Replacement-Retrofit-Lighting/dp/B00WHSV7BE

I just tried removing the trim on the existing lighting but I noticed as I was trying to twist it, the *entire* unit moved (along with the Edison screw base is). Is this actually a fully integrated can where the trim is part of it and can't be removed?

https://goo.gl/photos/1557YP25BGtPGyPU6

I didn't see any springs in the inside of the upper-can area that would indicate where to release the trim. But from watching some Youtube vids, people seem to just twist the trim right off as well.

EDIT: upon closer inspection, it seems there's an "inner-can" that houses the light bulb itself and there are a couple metal tabs that you can pull in-wards and then lower or raise this "inner-can" (I guess for variable lighting)? I'm scared to move the inner-can up high in fear of losing it to the larger can/trim. I'm not sure I'll be able to upgrade the existing trim/cans with the retrofit units I bought.

[jeromedawg]

Ughh, I have a feeling it might be like the unit here - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/lighting-light-fixtures-ceiling-exhaust-fans/493949-replacing-recessed-light.html#b

And also - http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Kerry%20Palmer/How_To_Cut_Out_A_Recessed_Light_Hole.jpg


I think these are the original recessed fixtures that have been in the condo since it was built back in 1989/1990

Also, we're in the bottom unit so I think trying to DIY new can installations would be a bit over my head. 

[zolotiyeruki]

Your best bet might be to get replacement cans that are made for retrofit applications. They're not expensive (<$10 ea), and they're easy to install.  Once the old can is out (probably the hardest part), you move the wiring over to the new can, shove it back up into the hole, and push some tabs with a screwdriver to lock it in place.  Then you can use your preference of bulb and trim to finish it out.

[jeromedawg]

Your best bet might be to get replacement cans that are made for retrofit applications. They're not expensive (<$10 ea), and they're easy to install.  Once the old can is out (probably the hardest part), you move the wiring over to the new can, shove it back up into the hole, and push some tabs with a screwdriver to lock it in place.  Then you can use your preference of bulb and trim to finish it out.

Thanks! Any links to these replacement cans you speak of?

Ugh, this whole thing may turn into a costlier project than I was anticipating. The set of 4 lights was $30 on Amazon during a sale/promo.

[jeromedawg]

Ah, I'm assuming it's one of these?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-6-in-Aluminum-Recessed-Lighting-LED-T24-Remodel-IC-Air-Tite-Housing-H750RICAT/202507555

And the process might be similar to the one here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcvRq54n5xg


Only other thing is that the can I put in would need an Edison screw-type base or I would need to get the right connector if the can didn't have it. I'm missing something...

[jeromedawg]

Arg... it's kind of a lot of work (and more money) for just 3 hallway lights when I could just get LED flood lights instead. Though, I am tempted to try installing these anyway. In fact, it would be awesome to install a bunch of these in the living room from scratch. I have a chandelier light in the living/dining area so I'm assuming there's a wire running to that. I could probably fish it around and do a 6-light installation out there - that would be nice. But that's just more time, effort and money... we're getting by fine as of late. Though, people who have never visited often complain how poorly lit our living room is.

[zolotiyeruki]

Ah, I'm assuming it's one of these?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-6-in-Aluminum-Recessed-Lighting-LED-T24-Remodel-IC-Air-Tite-Housing-H750RICAT/202507555

And the process might be similar to the one here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcvRq54n5xg


Only other thing is that the can I put in would need an Edison screw-type base or I would need to get the right connector if the can didn't have it. I'm missing something...

You are correct on all counts--that's the product I was talking about, and that video is the right procedure.  Those retrofit lights you bought come with a bulb base that screws into a standard edison socket, and the LED part attaches to the bottom of the can.  You can put in LED flood lights if you want--it'll be a lot less work than putting in a new recessed fixture.  I'm willing to bet there's a way to remove the existing trim, though, in which case you'd re-use the existing can and screw your retrofit bulbs into it.

[jeromedawg]

Ah, I'm assuming it's one of these?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-6-in-Aluminum-Recessed-Lighting-LED-T24-Remodel-IC-Air-Tite-Housing-H750RICAT/202507555

And the process might be similar to the one here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcvRq54n5xg


Only other thing is that the can I put in would need an Edison screw-type base or I would need to get the right connector if the can didn't have it. I'm missing something...

You are correct on all counts--that's the product I was talking about, and that video is the right procedure.  Those retrofit lights you bought come with a bulb base that screws into a standard edison socket, and the LED part attaches to the bottom of the can.  You can put in LED flood lights if you want--it'll be a lot less work than putting in a new recessed fixture.  I'm willing to bet there's a way to remove the existing trim, though, in which case you'd re-use the existing can and screw your retrofit bulbs into it.

I guess I'll take another look at the can - the reason I'm guessing it's one of those older one-piece deals is because of the way the smaller can that houses the bulb and has the edison socket is attached - there are those tabs on the inside where you can adjust the height or push the can out of the rest of the trim. Maybe it will work with the new LEDs... I'll try pulling out one of the existing fixtures but it seems pretty difficult. I also don't want to break anything on the existing fixture or make the hole bigger and end up in a situation that's even worse.

[jeromedawg]

So I was able to pull it out - it's the old style fixture as I anticipated... doesn't seem all that difficult to install the new canister. The problem is that I don't really want to go through the trouble of buying the new canisters, and rewiring everything, all over a few hallway lights lol.

https://goo.gl/photos/fTP64WXUZsASrQft9

[zolotiyeruki]

Yeah, at this point I'd say just spring for LED flood lights.