Installing a fluorescent light in my patio?

Question

I want to install a fluoroscent light in my patio (covered). I have a CGFI protected socket nearby and the light goes on the shingles.

Now here are my questios

1) Will fluoroscent lights work well in all tempratures (30-110 F)
2) What type of electrical wiring do I need to use outside ?
3) What type of screws do I need to get this to stick on the shingles ?

http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/rainbows/img/lightproject/clipart/fluorescent.jpg

Answer 1

normally fluorescent lights will flicker a lot in cold weather,
but if you use the ballast start they should be ok,
i would go with #12 romex, wire,
is there a rafter that you could hang it off of ? dont think the shingles will support it, you did not state what kind of shingles, , if the patio is covered it has to have smoe sort of braceing for the roof,

Answer 2

wiring to your GFCI interrupter will give you power and safety and will interrupt the lite as well as the gfci it you have a short etc.
the colder temps will make your lite react dimly and flicker when below 50 and easier on in warmer temps.

stay with the same gauge as is in the gfci, always downgrade never upgrade at the end of the service...so normally use 14 with ground and if gfci is 12, then you can use 12. The smaller the #, the heavier the gauge of wiring.

considering the shingling, do not attach to the shingle itself, get a longer screw, possibly 1 1/2" stainless or galvanized coated if outside. Drive through the singles to the plywood service below for strength to hold the light to the ceiling.

using romex, in straight lines, you can then fur out with 1" x 1" strips on each side of the wiring and cap with 1/2" x 2 1/2" wood to cover the wiring and stain to the color of the shingles.

Use either a pull-chain at the lite or added switch-plate at the outside of the gfci for convenience.

Answer 3

1. The light will work at these temp ranges,
2. Use individual wires or mechanically protected Romex. By protected I mean covered up with wood molding etc.
3. Drywall screws should allow you to attach the light to the shingles.
A note of caution, keep this light fixture dry!

Answer 4

The previous answers addressed questions 2 and 3 so I will focus on question 1. How well they will work in the lower temperatures depends on if you plan to use CFLs (screw in fluorescent lamps similar to incandescent) or linear type (4 foot straight tubes). The CFLs will start slower and have a slightly lower light output at lower temperatures compared to the linear types. You will have much better luck with the linear types and you want to use commercial grade fixtures with a Program Start type ballast. Typical fixtures have Instant Start or the old Rapid Start type ballast which will work in cold temperatures but the new Program Start type ballast will work better. I have seen T8 fixtures with a program start ballast installed in commercial Ice Cream freezers (-24 F) and they are on motion sensors so they cycle on/off. They start instantly at 70% of full light and are at full light output in 2-3 seconds. Since these are normally considered commercial grade lights, you will find these ballast and fixtures at electrical or lighting distributors. Large hardware stores typically do not carry them.