How To Install Switched Lights in Attic that has Only Pull Chain Light

We convert one pull chain light fixture in an attic so that homeowner has two lights in the attic controlled by a single switch. With minimal tools and cost, a dark and dangerous attic can be made safer to be in.
We exam the existing pull chain lighting and figure out how to convert to a two switched lights to brighten a dark attic. Along the way we explain our choices and try to make it easy to follow along.
As with all projects, safety is paramount, especially when working in an attic wear protective clothing, bring work light with you, work at the coolest time of the year or day, wear safety goggles, wear respiratory protection. Observe all electrical codes and standards. And don't rush your project. Avoid having a project that turns into an emergency and threatens your safety, health or life.

[@JuanMartinez-hu6jk]

Excellent tutorial. I had a mess of wiring in the garage storage area you helped out greatly!

[@cfldriven]

Juan, Congrats on taming the wires in the garage. Thanks for watching.

[@RileyCarson]

Came out pretty good! Would have opted for a light fixture that defuses horizontally a little better seeing as you have such a long attic. Great job and clean explanation

[@cfldriven]

I repurposed a fixture that had high Lumen output and allowed light out the sides, but as you can see the dark wood just sucks up all the light. Still an overall improvement which makes getting to the exhaust fans, a few other devices a lot easier. What might have worked better is using a light strip like I did in the crawl space. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZDNXmOvYr94prs Thank you for the feedback.

[@enriqueferreira1686]

Well done. Because you care about safety, here's an important one to add: Take off any jewelry from your fingers, wrist and neck when you are working with hand tools, power tools, and electricity. You had your wedding ring on.

[@cfldriven]

Enrique, yes I'm a big believer in reasonable safety measures. While you are correct about not wearing jewelry when working with electrical circuits, the real danger is not knowing a circuit is live and purposely choosing to work with hot wires. As the circuit was off and I had verified there were no live wires, I didn't feel the need to remove the ring. Still everyone has to determine for themselves the acceptable risk they are willing to take. Thank you for bringing this to everyone attention. I will effort to mention this in a future video.

[@joecruz196]

Great explanation on the wiring.

[@cfldriven]

Thank you, daughter says I repeat myself too often.

[@marksheinbaum3390]

Thanks for posting this. It's useful. I have a couple of questions about the original light/junction. Why were all those wires going into it? I guess you didn't want to repurpose it because of all new wiring.

[@cfldriven]

The garage was on one 20 amp circuit that include the utility room and some kitchen lights. In order to feed everything there would be a junctions that would bring power and branch off to receptacles, lights, attic fan, garage door opener, etc. I have since put the garage on it own circuit separate from the utility and kitchen, which helps with power draw on each circuit. The reason for not choosing not to work inside the old junction was to have the greater space of a new junction box. All the wiring is 12 gauge which is thick and more difficult to work with. Thanks for watching and for the question.

[@brandonweick9880]

Great video. I got everything wired in my attic above my garage just like you showed. Almost the exact same setup. Only question is my power source comes from a light on the ceiling of my garage and that light is switched from my foyer in my house. So when the switch is off in the foyer then I have no power going to my switch in the attic to switch those lights on. Anyway I can still get power to the switch in the attic when the switch in the foyer is off? Not a huge deal I just have to make sure lights are on in garage when I go up to turn on switch for attic. Just curious

[@cfldriven]

If you can route power from before the switch in the foyer you would have constant power. Personally I would look for wires feeding receptacles in your garage and tap into that. Run wires from receptacle to the attic switch. If none avail then trying to get power before foyer switch would be the next option. Wire that run into attic switch.

[@owenayapan8337]

👍🏼👏🏼💯

[@cfldriven]

👍⏳📽💙

[@ablebaker1275]

Why didn’t you use florescent light strips? Looking for someone to do that.

[@cfldriven]

The reason for not using fluorescent strips is they are old technology, better to go with maintenance free LED strips or even LED tape light kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZDNXmOvYr94prs I also just happened to have the large LED fixture sitting around the garage which had the light output I wanted. The install process is pretty much the same with LED strips, maybe easier as many can be daisy chained. Best of luck with your project.

[@ablebaker1275]

@@cfldriven Thanks, I am going to put 2 - two bulb - 8 foot florescent lights (led bulbs) in the attic. Tired of not being able to see up there. They don’t use a lot of energy, put out a lot of light, and have a long life expectancy.

[@cfldriven]

@@ablebaker1275 Can't go wrong with LED, at my age I say they will out last my lifetime.

[@elizabethm7495]

It’s the string that broke, just need the best knot

[@cfldriven]

Elizabeth, I had swapped out the string for a metal pull chain, but the real issue was getting more light into the attic. This project got rid of the pull chain and allowed for brighter more efficient lighting in two places in the attic. Thank you for watching.