Heat shield material for potlight ....

[MJunkie]

Was doing potlights for my main floor. But then came across a problem. After I cut one of the holes, I saw the central vaccum pipe going on top of the hole. Luckily, its quiet elastic, so I could theoritically shove a potlight through the hole, displacing the pipe to the left.

My worry is that the potlights are the non-ic type for the main floor. Thus they don't come in a box to prevent fire hazard.

The plastic central vac pipe could start melting due to heat.

Was wondering if there is a heat shield material that I could wrap around the potlight so that its safe to have the pastic pipe around it? I know i could buy a IC version of potlight ... but thats not an option as it would be crazy to install that now on the main floor.

Any ideas guys?

[Maymybonneliveforever]

What ever metal shield you place around the pot light shouldn't come in contact with the central vac pipe as the pipe will tend to vibrate when the vacuum is turned on. Plastic rubbing against metal is not a good mix.

Since you mentioned the vac pipe flexes a bit is it possible you can secure it with a plastic band you can purchase at any big box store and strap it to a joint or subfloor? Just make sure the screw isn't too long if you secure it to the subfloor above.

Another solution maybe to purchase a different pot light only for that one opening in that the housing is shaped a bit different so that it doesn't interfere with the vac pipe but ensure the exterior housing still fits to match the others.

[Zamboni]

Since you mentioned the vac pipe flexes a bit is it possible you can secure it with a plastic band you can purchase at any big box store and strap it to a joint or subfloor? Just make sure the screw isn't too long if you secure it to the subfloor above.


That's a good idea-if its possible to move the pipe enough I would suggest a large Ty-Rap....there are Ty Raps with a hole to accept a screw made for securing wire bundles-that might work well.

[MJunkie]

What ever metal shield you place around the pot light shouldn't come in contact with the central vac pipe as the pipe will tend to vibrate when the vacuum is turned on. Plastic rubbing against metal is not a good mix.


I will not be using a central vaccum for the duration of my stay. Seeing that I just moved in a month back in the house, I expect to be here for a good 5-10 years ... so that shouldn't be a big deal. I was hoping to find a heat shield that wasn't metal ....


Since you mentioned the vac pipe flexes a bit is it possible you can secure it with a plastic band you can purchase at any big box store and strap it to a joint or subfloor? Just make sure the screw isn't too long if you secure it to the subfloor above.

I tried doing that... but it just seemed very difficult thing to do given the small potlight hole.



Another solution maybe to purchase a different pot light only for that one opening in that the housing is shaped a bit different so that it doesn't interfere with the vac pipe but ensure the exterior housing still fits to match the others.

I am not sure if I can find one that will be of any different shape than current one. They are all usually dome shaped at the back.




I was actually thinking if the outer part of the potlight gets hot enough to melt the plastic pipe that it may be in touch with.

[Maymybonneliveforever]

I will not be using a central vaccum for the duration of my stay. Seeing that I just moved in a month back in the house, I expect to be here for a good 5-10 years ... so that shouldn't be a big deal. I was hoping to find a heat shield that wasn't metal .... What about the next homeowners, they may want to use it.

I tried doing that... but it just seemed very difficult thing to do given the small potlight hole.I had a similar problem in that I couldn't get my hand into a 3" pot light opening so I asked my daughter if she could put her hand in and it worked since her's was much smaller.
I am not sure if I can find one that will be of any different shape than current one. They are all usually dome shaped at the back.There are probably a hundred different brands and models on the market, it's just a matter of finding the right one that suits your needs.
I was actually thinking if the outer part of the potlight gets hot enough to melt the plastic pipe that it may be in touch with.If it's incandescent, than count on it, if it's flourescent or led that it most likely won't, all you have to be concerned about is when the new homeowners turn on the central vac, the vibration will eventually cause a problem.


The other option is to relocate the opening and patch the existing holes, and repaint the ceiling, been there done that.

You've got several options to choose from, the one you seem to be leaning towards is leaving it the way it is.


Good luck and hope it works out.

[MJunkie]

What about the next homeowners, they may want to use it.
I had a similar problem in that I couldn't get my hand into a 3" pot light opening so I asked my daughter if she could put her hand in and it worked since her's was much smaller.There are probably a hundred different brands and models on the market, it's just a matter of finding the right one that suits your needs. If it's incandescent, than count on it, if it's flourescent or led that it most likely won't, all you have to be concerned about is when the new homeowners turn on the central vac, the vibration will eventually cause a problem.


The other option is to relocate the opening and patch the existing holes, and repaint the ceiling, been there done that.

You've got several options to choose from, the one you seem to be leaning towards is leaving it the way it is.


Good luck and hope it works out.

Thanks for all the advise here guys.

I am thinking of taking out a chunk of drywall ..... so that I can insert my second hand and tie that pipe to the nearby wood. I will have to patch the drywall nicely afterwards. I was initially thinking of cutting a hole the size such that my other hand could go in freely ... but after youtubing a few videos I think its better to cut a chunk that goes from left to right stud. This would then allow me to drill the drywall screws to the stud and then mud/spackle it. The only thing is that this is all in a bulk head and 2x4s are quiet a bit further apart .. so the drywall chunk i would have to take off is quiet a bit...

Hopefully that should do it ...