So thinking that my basement was always too dark, i went with the 6" can lights. now i am thinking that they might be too big, and not recess far enough into the drop ceiling to be recessed.

what size cans do people usually use? my basement is basically two halves split by the stairs. 11x14 with 8 ft ceilings.

thanks,
brandon

Have any pics ?

not right now, but i will take some this afternoon and upload them. right now they are just wired to the ceiling and hung with a piece of wire and a screw until i get my drop ceiling in.

i have the can adjustment set all the way up into the housing, but the light still sticks out from the bottom of the housing... are the lightbulbs i got just too long? i didn't find any other bulbs that size that were the "soft white"

thanks,
brandon

Are you using standard "round" ligtbulbs or PAR lamps?

I stuck pinhole baffles in my 6 inch cans to make them smaller and painted the baffles to match the ceiling.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/bigmouthindc/Theater%20Pics/DSC00413.jpg

I use the 5" Halo cans with the halogen lights. Does a really good job mixed with the Lutron lighting control.

Wow Bigmouth. I am truly impressed with your theater. nice.

but the light still sticks out from the bottom of the housing... are the lightbulbs i got just too long?

Brandon I was thinking about your bulbs sticking out the bottom comment.

Usually a recessed light consists of two parts the housing and a baffle/reflector. During my construction I put some bulbs in my housings without any baffle. The bulbs hung a few inches below the ceiling. The baffles I used are designed such that the sockets snap into the top portion of the baffle/reflector and once installed the bulbs would hang higher.

The sockets inside are usually adjustable. There should be a wingnut inside the can to move them up. Also, might want to consider putting them on a rheostat (dimmer).

well i did figure out that i got the wrong bulbs. i got the slightly longer ones that are usually used for the "eyebulb" type covers, where i want a more recessed look. so luckily i had just bought the cheapest bulbs they have (they will probably burn out before i even get to my ceiling) so i will replace them with shorter ones. Also, i have IC rated cans, but can remove the interior plate to raise them even more if i have to beyond their normal adjustment. (i think that might sacrifice the IC rating though).

Well this is my first time playing with recessed lighting, so i guess there are worse mistakes i could have made besides getting the wrong length bulbs. i do have to take one of the cans back though as it is dead, and even when taken a part and all reconnected it still didn't work. boooo.

thanks for the help guys, and yes they are on a dimmer.