Advice installing remodel canister lights

December 7, 2011 7:03 AM

I am installing 2 remodel canister lights. Everything is wired up and ready to go except I can't get the clips to snap down.

Both lights are Halo 6" remodel canisters. My sheetrock is 1/4 inch and I checked for obstructions around the edge. Each can has 4 clips. I was able to get 2 of the 4 in.

The instructions tell you to press up and pound a screwdriver up with a hammer. Again this worked for 2 but I can't get the rest to work. I looked online and it sounds like bending the clip so there is more (or even less) of a gap is suggested. I tried both without any luck.

Does anyone know of a trick for these?

posted by rdurbin to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

Best answer: I'll try to explain my method. This is assuming the clips aren't bent or mangled from previous attempts.
You have an upside down U clip that rides against the inner edge of the can. The inner side of the U needs to be PARALLEL to the inner side of the can. Not poking out. Then push up on the bottom edge of the clip with a large flat bladed screwdriver. Think of it as a sliding action, not a pivot action. Be careful because this can be a slasher.
If you can remove a can and play with it you can see the difference.
Good luck!
posted by Pecantree at 9:05 AM on December 7, 2011

Response by poster: I ended up taking 2 longer screws and just screwing in the one can to surrounding studs. I was mounting them in an overhead box so there were two on each side that were close enough to tap into with minimal effort.

I spent way too much time fiddling with those clips. Waaay too much time :)
posted by rdurbin at 7:23 AM on December 8, 2011