![]() ![]() All three black wires go into one twist connector, and all three white wires go into another twist connector. This is pretty much the same as what we just did for the long wire at the other end. Next, I made the connections on the other end of the fixture using the short section of wire we prepared. Loose wires are never good with electricity, so make sure all the wires are snug in their connectors.) If any of them pull out at all, the connector is not installed properly. (You may want to give each wire a little tug after you think you have them twist connected together. Use one end of the long section of wire that you cut. I started connections at the end of the fixture that is farthest away from the wires coming through the hole that power the fixture. If you are at all unsure about this step, I recommend having a knowledgeable friend or an electrician do the connecting for you. ![]() Everything should be safe, as long as you are always connecting white to white and black to black. I am including a basic diagram of how I wired my sockets. Using your horizontal and vertical measurements, continue marking, drilling and mounting the remaining 3 light sockets. Again, you want to make sure that the screwdriver tip and the head of the screw are a good match as it will be difficult to tighten the light socket flat against the fixture with a stripped screw head. It will be a little hard at first, as you will be creating a thread for the screw (tapping a hole) as you twist the screw into the metal fixture. Install the light socket using the #4 x 3/4" screw and a screwdriver. Use your drill and drill bit to make a hole at the intersection of the vertical and horizontal measurements. Now find the center between the fluorescent tombstone connectors, and mark it. In my case, there was a bend in the metal, and my mark was about a 1/4 inch above it. Remove the light socket and measure the distance from your mark to either the top or bottom of the fixture, whichever is easier. Using your fingers to hold the drill bit, place it through the mounting hole and twist it against the metal to make a mark. Make sure that the hole for the mounting screw of the socket is in the lowest-or 6 o'clock-position. Locate a good flat position between the tombstonesįor this part, I temporarily removed the screw we installed in the light socket (Step 3) and held the socket against the metal housing of the fixture, moving it around until I saw it was sitting flat against the metal. Cap the wires and determine which is the correct circuit breaker switch to cut power to this fixture before continuing with the conversion. If the light on the indicator comes on, your circuit is still on. If need be, you can carefully remove the twist-on wire connectors to expose the copper. Make sure the probes are touching the copper. One probe inserted into the black mass of wires and one inserted into the white mass of wire. If you aren't sure if your power is off, now would be the time to check your lines with a voltage tester. One set of these comes from the light switch ("feeding" the electric to the fixture) and one set goes out to "feed" the next fixture in line. In my case, there were two hot wires (black) and two neutral wires (white) that came in from the hole. You are looking for the thicker wires (probably 12 gauge) that come into the fixture through a hole. Most of it is thinner gauge wire that is permanently attached to the ballast. You will notice a LOT of wire under the cover. This cover is not usually attached to the light fixture, so be prepared for it to come completely off. I just squeezed the cover a little, and the tab popped out. ![]() Mine had a little tab holding it in place. Find and follow safe clean-up guidelines online. If they do break, DO NOT use a vacuum to clean them up. You are safe as long as they don't break. Many of these have a mercury lining which is poisonous. Most tubes twist a quarter turn and can be pulled from the fixture. As you can see, mine were in pretty bad shape. Once the levers are released, the lens should fold down exposing the tubes. Be careful, screwdrivers may not be knives, but they can still cut flesh if they slip off the intended target and get forced into a finger or hand. Either way shouldn't require too much force. If yours don't slide, you may have to pry them away from the fixture with a flat head screwdriver. On mine, there were two little metal latches that slid sideways. You will have to figure out how your fixture's lens is released. ![]()
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