Retrofitting recessed lighting fixtures

A method of retrofitting a preexisting recessed light fixture housing mounted in a ceiling plane, the preexisting recessed light fixture housing having an upper base panel and two opposed end walls extending generally downward from the upper base panel, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing first and second mounting brackets, each mounting bracket comprising an electrical socket;
• providing a ballast that is pre-wired to each electrical socket;
• coupling the first and second mounting brackets to the preexisting recessed light fixture housing, the first mounting bracket adjacent one of the end walls, the second mounting bracket adjacent the other of the end walls;
• provisionally coupling the ballast to the upper base panel of the preexisting recessed light fixture housing by pressing an adhesive on a mounting side of the ballast against the upper base panel of the preexisting recessed light fixture housing;
• permanently mounting the provisionally coupled ballast to the preexisting recessed light fixture housing by manipulating at least one captive hardware element of the ballast relative to the housing, each captive hardware element being pre-installed in the ballast and designed to be movable relative to the ballast only upon application of deliberate force with respect to the captive hardware element;
• and
• closing an electric circuit, which includes the ballast and each electrical socket by electrically coupling a connector from the ballast to a power source associated with the ballast.

A kit for retrofitting a preexisting recessed light fixture housing mounted in a ceiling plane, the preexisting recessed light fixture housing having an upper base panel, a first end wall, and a second end wall opposite the first end wall, the first end wall and the second end wall extending generally downward from the upper base panel, the kit comprising:

• a first mounting bracket configured to be coupled to the first end wall of the preexisting recessed light fixture housing and comprising a first electrical socket;
• a second mounting bracket configured to be coupled to the second end wall of the housing and comprising a second electrical socket, the first and second electrical sockets completing a circuit with a lamp when the lamp is installed between the first and second electrical sockets;
• a reflector panel configured to be attached to the first mounting bracket and to the second mounting bracket;
• a ballast that provides power to the circuit when the retrofit kit assembly is installed in the recessed light fixture and configured to be coupled to the upper base panel of the preexisting recessed light fixture housing between the upper base panel and the reflector panel;
• and
• an adhesive disposed on a mounting side of the ballast to provisionally mount the ballast to the upper base panel of the housing prior to installation of a fastener, which permanently mounts the ballast to the upper base panel of the housing.