Customer Reviews

Lithonia Lighting FM 54 ACLS LP M4 Two-Light Fluorescent Flush-Mount Ceiling Fixture, White Acrylic Globe

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Package was missing the mounting crossbar -- luckily I had one like it in a junk box from some other fixture, so I proceeded with installation. The base is very flimsy and designed such that the electrical box MUST be absolutely flush with (or sunken below) the drywall. I had some problems with this since the box was proud of the ceiling by about 1/16 inch and I couldn't get the fixture base stable against the ceiling. I finally fabricated some spacers to take care of that.

Installing the bulbs was another adventure. The ballast wires are crowded, the plugs are of poor quality and difficult to connect, and the metal clips are really tight -- I thought multiple times I was going to break the bulbs during installation.

Finally, the manufacturer's description claims the light output to be equivalent to (2) 100w incandescent bulbs. No way... More like (1) 75w or (1) 100w at most. And there is no way to route the wires/plugs such that they don't make some kind of visible "shadow" when the fixture is turned on. I will attempt to upload a picture that shows the shadows.

If it hadn't been so difficult to get installed, or if it was someplace more visible than a closet, I'd tear it down and send it back for a refund.

Mounting system is horrid. Only one set of mounting screw holes, which gives you a one in four chance of being able to set the light either square or on a diagonal to room lines. The included adapter that is supposed to allow adjustment for this will not work with the ceiling mount electrical boxes typically used.
The clips for mounting the bulbs are difficult to use, and like the other reviewer, I was concerned that the bulb would break. After 3 attempts, I did get the wires leading to the bulbs to lay in such a way as to not create shadows in front of the bulbs.
I'll either return it, or spend a couple of hours modifying the fixture housing. I've already got a couple of hours invested in trying to get it to hang properly in the room (which should have been a 15 minute job).

I bought 10 of these things for lighting a vestibule. I had to replace numerous bulbs and two complete fixtures so far.(cheaper to buy a whole new ligt than just the ballast) They have been up about 2 years. The plastic defusers sag on the opposite corners of the latches so I rotate them on occasion to help out that problem. You'd be better off looking for something else if you want a reliable light.

I have this fixture on my front porch.
I bought it because I wanted a modern design (not the silly Victorian and Antique designs that are inappropriate for a modern tract home.)
Unfortunately it's difficult to flush mount (It doesn't lay flat without some kind of spacer.)
I didn't have quite the issue installing the bulbs others did but it does take some effort (and guts).
The diffuser is held on by some cheap "levers" that are loosely "hooked" into holes on the metal base.
My levers somehow worked loose and the diffuser dropped and shattered.
I tried to get a replacement defuser and found it was no longer on the manufacturer's web site.
To be fair they sent me an email asking for the model number. (there was no decal or model number I could find)
I still like the design (It's bright enough for me) and it looks nice when mounted except for the insects that get into the diffuser
casting little shadows that must be cleaned often.
May buy another whole unit to get the diffuser (don't want to go through the mounting hassle again!)
But I'm sure there must be better designs out there.