Hanging Odessey MH fixture from drywall ceiling - no stud - w/toggle bolt

[afamousjohnson]

How many folks have their fixtures hung from ceiling out of drywall instead of a stud? Say using a toggle bolt or swag type toggle bolt.

I need to hang my fixture and it doesnt line up with any studs. There is very limited access in the crawl space type attic area so getting above to set in a cross brace is near impossible.

This leaves me with the option of a toggle bolt set into the drywall ceiling. This also has me nervous as my fixture is one of the heavier type - odessey 2 x 250w MH w/4 x 65w PC - on a guess I would say 10-15 pounds maybe?

My system is away from the wall and a 3 side viewable setup - so making a hanger brace attached to stand is not likely.

any advice here appreciated - personal experience would be the best.

who hangs out of drywall only - how did you do it - how has it worked out. what fixture did you hang and how much does it way.

Thanks all - really has me stressing - I would hate to hang and have the fixture drop out of the ceiling and into/on to the tank.

 

[big blue]

I have mine hanging with a toggle bolt its 3/4 inch sheetrock and my lights about 14 pounds if I remember right. Its been there for over two years and I bang into it all the time lol. No issues,most ceilings are 3/4 inch but try to find out I wouldn't trust the thin stuff

 

[afamousjohnson]

Sweet thanks for the input big blue - ya I need to figure that out still

 

[ReeferBob]

If you are really concerned, you could use the below. You'll be able to get it in your space without access from above. I have used the below for fan boxes and they work great.

http://www.amazon.com/Arlington-FBR...408339&sr=8-2&keywords=fan+fixture+adjustable

 

[Justiful]

Ideally you would use a stud finder and find a ceiling joist. They are usually spaced 16inches apart. You can place it on 1 joist if it is over your tank... unlikely. Or you can put it perpendicular across 2-3 joists.

Have you ever seen slide able track lighting in a home? They usually place it perpendicular between joists and then slide the lights to where they want them.

The cheap way to do what you want is.
get a piece of 2/4, drill holes from it into 2 different ceiling joists. You can do this at an angle if that fits your needs also. Then hang light with screw in hooks over the tank.

The way I recomend is.
Buy
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Glomar-4-ft-White-Lighting-Track-HD-TR120/202501680
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Legrand-Wiremold-CordMate-Channel-White-C10/202059078

1. Adapt the lighting bar to your needs, or take your light to home depot and ask them what you need to adapt it for your light if you don't know.
2. Run the wire hider up to ceiling from floor to hide your likely black cables and keep them from dangling.

Protips for nicer results.
1. Sand the wire hider depending on one you get(if it is smooth sand it a bit), then apply primer, then apply a paint that matches your ceiling and wall. Double sided sticky tape from 3m should be enough to support it if you don't like drilling into drywall for this, depending on how far you are going and how heavy a weight you got.
2. add a pully system to the light, so you can raise and lower it easily to desired height.
3. Get a track system that moves in 2 directions. So you can slide left right forward and backward. Cost a little more and a bit harder to install but don't have to worry about alligning everything perfect, or getting a new light of different dimensions in a year.

 

[Pepcrylic]

Toggle bolts have lbs. rating on them . You will be fine to use a toggle bolt rated for twice the weight you want to hang.
Say you have a fixture that weighs 15 lbs. If you have four mounting points to your fixture, you would buy four toggle bolts rated for min. of 15lbs. That way you will be able to hang 60 lbs .

 

[slimshadyjo1]

Don't hang lights off of drywall please. You will regret it. I installed mine with the most heavy duty toggle bolts I could find and they ended up ripping straight out of the roof. Luckily I had my lid on or the lights would have ended up in the tank. Instead what I would recommend is to screw a thicker board lengthwise into the studs then hang the lights off the thicker board. Very simple.

 

[slimshadyjo1]

or if you have studs in your wall you could always make something similar to this fairly cheap just get creative with it

 

[afamousjohnson]

what a hassle lol
Thanks for the input all. Got one hung up.
Ended up getting drawer slides and attaching light to that so I can move 6" forward or backwards for mobility.
One slide I was able to hit a stud dead center of the brace with a 3" screw and used drywall anchors on each end. The other slide couldnt get a stud so used a toggle bolt at each end of it. Hanging kit hangs from center of each slide and there is 5 contact holds with one stud 2 toggle bolts and 2 drywall anchors. Everything is still a bit off a mess on it but heres an idea pic

 

[Justiful]

Glad you got it figured out. Thanks for update

 

[afamousjohnson]

ya it's actually pretty cool tho a different direction. I can almost completely slide the light back exposing the entire tank to work in - which is very fitting. I also plan on adding another reefbrite to back side of fixture so gives me leeway for expansion without refitting.