The Can Converter R56 Recessed Can Light Conversion Kit w/ 7"¾ Flat & Beveled Steel Ceiling Medallion - Home Improvement for 5" & 6" Cans, Fan & Light Fixture Converter Kit, UL Certified, White

I installed 2 of these today and think they are a great product but there are some things I learned during the installation that may be helpful to others. - I highly recommend watching the Youtube installation video several times. The instructions are adequate but I found it helpful to watch the video and get an overall understanding of how the installation goes. My installation was one of the most difficult because there were no screws in the can that I could use. The video talks about installation in cans that have no screws or screws in a triangular configuration or screws that are not in a triangular configuration. I had a no-screws installation. - One thing that is mentioned in the paper installation instructions that I hadn't see elsewhere was that the product requires that the hanger bars for the light can are resting on the drywall. If your hanger bars are above the drywall, they don't recommend the installation. This means they are assuming some of the strength of the installation is coming from the drywall, which makes sense but it was something I wasn't aware of prior to purchasing. - Having a right angle drill is very handy for this installation. Instead of using it to try to start the self-tapping screws, I recommend drilling a pilot hole with a 3/32 drill bit and then starting the screws by hand with a stubby screwdriver. I found it easier to get the drill bit to grip on the galvanized steel can than the screws. - When you are screwing in the threaded pipe, be careful of the wires coming out at the top. It's very easy to cause abrasion on the wire insulation at the top of the pipe as you screw it into the plate. I wish there was a way to protect the wire insulation because I didn't like the damage that was done to the wire insulation. - If you are installing a fan, it's important that you screw the baseplate into the distancing screws firmly. This prevents the baseplate from rotating when you are mounting the fan. Like I said, my installation was difficult but no fault on the product. I would use it again. The only improvement I can suggest is figuring out some way to keep the wires from being abraded/cut by the threaded pipe as you screw it in.

The conversion kit does the job, I hung an outdoor ceiling fan (consider weight limits). The kit works fine but be prepared to use the instructions as a general guid. A regular drill didn’t work for me, not enough can diameter clearance. I also found it easier to attach the 3 kit support pieces before attaching the actual hanging plate. The first installation took about 2 hours but once I made several installation and tool adjustments the time dropped to around 45 minutes from start to finish(including hanging the fan… a reasonable amount of time in my opinion. I have 4 additional fans to hang on the back porch and will be using the conversion kits.

Tried the one from the local store and it was a complete failure. Not even sure what application it could be used in. So I searched for and found this unit. While more expensive, it worked very well. We were converting a over the sink can into a track type light in the kitchen. The attachment process to the can was simple and very easy. One trick/tool that should be considered for this type of thing is a flexible adapter for your power screw driver. This tool makes working with the screws in the can easy. I had the converter brace mounted in about 5 minutes (my can was one with the 3 screws described and did not require any retrofitting.) The unit lost a start in the design of the plate that attaches to the main bracket for you to attach your fixture. The hole spacing was good and worked with my fixture mount. My one suggestion to the company would be to make the plate have some gaps/hole through which you can run down your wires. I did end up drilling a couple of big holes in the plate to allow this. Otherwise the unit was very well thought out, the parts are substantial and seem well made. I would highly recommend it. To address some points I saw in other reviews from the perspective of an advanced DIYer: 1,

This product made it so easy to convert a recessed can light into a spot for a hanging light. Can light opening was 6 and 3/8 inch diameter. Would definitely recommend.

I REALLY wanted to replace the recessed can light over our kitchen sink w/ a pendant light. First thing my husband realized when we started looking at pendant lights is that the hole in the ceiling would NOT be covered by the canopy that comes w/ most pendant lights. We considered calling the electrician who replaced our ceiling fan w/ a bigger one a few years ago. Then I started google search and discovered The Can Converter. Showed it to my husband, who has decent but not professional skills w/ electrical tasks. He watched some of the vids, and decided that he was up for the challenge. It worked! In under 3 hours start to finish, PLUS several hours of watching instructional vids and reading the instructions that came with the kit, he was able to install our new mini-pendant. I LOVE our new kitchen light!

The R56 Recessed Can Light Conversion Kit does precisely what it promises. Initially, I asked the electrician to install everything. I sought to mount a chandelier ahead of the Thanksgiving festivities. The electrician couldn’t schedule this job in time, so I set out to do it myself. After watching the online video several times, I followed the instructions meticulously, point-by-point. Being the impatient type, and merely an average hobby remodeler, I forced myself to work excessively slowly. After an hour the chandelier was hanging majestically, firmly in place, and functioning. The R56 Recessed Can Light Conversion Kit does the conversion task perfectly. An experienced handyman will undoubtedly install the conversion kit quicker than I did. For the inexperienced or patience-challenged (like me) and those who are easily defied by instruction manuals, I would highly recommend watching the online instruction video. I do recommend this item without reservation.

Requires a lot of tinkering to install. Does not work well for surface mounted fixtures. The instructions that come with the kit have probably 30 or 40 steps in them. After you get over the initial shock, you realize that it is not that bad -- there are separate instructions for different kinds of installations. But the general idea that one might get from seeing this list of steps is correct -- this product is a pain to install. You need to drill holes in the can, to secure the adapter which by itself consists of four parts that you are supposed to assemble together. The assembly is not exact -- there is a lot of play in the connections to allow the adapter to 'adapt' do different diameters of the cans. This results in a lot of adjustment and re-adjustment to get the fit right. For surface mounted figures the adapter uses a solid plate that completely blocks access once installed. This results in the fact that there is nowhere to hide the wires and connectors, so you are forced to use the mounting adapter that offsets the light fixture from the ceiling just to have some place to put the wires. In the end it works, but I feel that the process could be made much easier with better results.

This can converter is strong, easy to install and it works! It comes with 2 ceiling medallions to choose from which is a very nice addition. If you want to transform a recessed light to a chandelier or pendant or even a ceiling fan, this is what you need.

This item is perfect for replacing recessed lights - it saved me major headaches and costs. It takes a little time to install but is really solid when done right. Pro Tip: since it converts the old fixture you are limited to the wattage of the old fixture (ie if the old fixture is 65 watts then the max for the new fixture is 65 watts) so choose your replacement fixtures with this in mind.

Works great. Easy to install. Solved the problem we had with a deep recess light where we needed a surface mount.

Lived up to expectations, easy to install, looks great. Would recommend to others who have pot lights and don't want to do drywall.

Missing self tapping screws in one box argh!!! I had to edit my review from a 3 star to 5 star because despite the fact I had to buy three screws I love, love, love my can light converter! My new Pendant lights look awesome and I saved a fortune not having to bring in an electrician. Use the Youtube video on the can converter as a guide and you will be fine. If you are not comfortable with a drill or have different drill bits then bring in a friend, neighbor that does. You may have to make small adjustments depending on your light fixture but it is worth it! Awesome!

Excellent product to use existing pot light for a surface mounted fixture. I used this to install a small ceiling fan where there was an old pot light.