Designing & Installing a Tech Lighting Monorail System

Tools and hardware you will need for the installation

• Plumb Bob (laser prefered)
• Battery Drill with phillips bit 
• Hand level 
• Hacksaw (if cutting sections)
• Vise 
• Ladder (height to be determined by ceiling height) 
• Masking tape 
• Bending plywood block (if curved sections) 
• Voltage tester 
• Pencil 
• Graph paper 
• Measuring Tape

Begin With: Designing your MonoRail System Check List

1. In the design phase of your project, start with understanding what you want to light. Sometimes sunlight gets in the way so be sure to do this at night and in the day. This will give you an understanding of the functionality of your lighting system and a general direction of where the track will need to be. This is probably the most important step. 
2. At this point you want to use the measuring tape to measure out the room from side to side to side. That maybe too many sides. Begin sketching out your track system layout. This will help you find the shape of the track you are about to install by sketching until the desired shape is found. Remember that the Monorail System can be curved by hand to fit your architectural space. 
3. Remember that the MonoRail Run must be placed so it goes directly over the powered junction box. 
4. This leads you to the decision of what style and what colors compliment your space. 
5. You will need to decide which spot light heads and/or Tech Lighting pendants you will want to use if lighting specific items and where they will be located on the monorail system. 
6. With the proper measurements and a final drawing you will be able to determine how many pieces of rail you will need. Remember to add a pair of end caps to each end of the run.

Determine How much Lighting and what hardware will be needed

Add the number of spot light heads and Tech Lighting pendants together then multiply them by the bulb wattage in each to determine the wattage of the transformer. Surface mount transformers can be used on almost all ceiling surfaces and simply mount directly to the junction box beneath the run. The surface mounts look like neat little spaceships attached to the ceiling. A remote transformer with a power feed canopy will provide a cleaner look but, the remote transformer must be located in a semi-near location accounting for voltage drop to the power feed canopy.

Based on the ceiling height and the location of the items wanted to light determine how far from the ceiling you want the system to drop. Standard power feed canopies drop the MonoRail System two inches from the ceiling. The surface mount systems are determined by what size transformer is needed from two to five inches.

If you desire the rail to be lower than what is standard than you will need to add a power extender to the power feed canopy or the surface mount transformer. The maximum drop for the MonoRail Track System is eight feet.

The size of the rigid standoff rail anchors can be determined by matching the drop of the power feed to the Monorail System. If an extender is used add the distance of the power extender and the surface transformer or power feed canopy distance to determine the size of the standoff. Adjustable cable standoffs can be used as well but, are not recommended for curved tracks. You’ll need a standoff for every three feet of run and the power feed from the transformer counts as one standoff. Note that power extenders and standoff’s are field cut-able so you can customize your MonoRail height.

Installation of your Tech Lighting MonoRail Track System

1. Receive and check in all of the specified parts that you will need for your shiny new track system. 
2. Begin by taping off where the furniture that will be beneath the MonoRail System is before moving it out of the way. This will give you a feel as to where the furniture will be while you lay the system out on the floor. 
3. Assemble the MonoRail on the floor by mirroring its exact location as it would be on the ceiling. Make all necessary cuts and curves that relate to the sketch made. 
4. Connect and mount the surface transformer or the power feed canopy on the existing junction box. 
5. Measure out the placement of all the standoffs on the ground marking the track at each location. 
6. Use the Laser Plumb Bob to determine the location of the ceiling anchors that will secure the standoffs to the ceiling. I like to stand on a ladder and mark the ceiling with a sharpie where every the laser falls. Be sure not to look into the laser as it damages our eyes, just another problem we don’t need. 
7. Each standoff comes with a drywall anchor that will be used at each mark done by the sharpie marker. If you have a concrete slab as in many condos a small 3/8” anchor can be used and set with a 3/8” masonry drill bit. 
8. Mount all of the standoffs in the ceiling. Be sure not to over tighten or the anchor might loose its anchor. Remove all of the lower mounting harnesses on each standoff. 
9. With a little help raise the assembled MonoRail track system fitting it into each standoff and the power feed. Tighten each harness by loosening the Alan key that allows the base to rotate screwing in the lower mounting harness. 
10. Level out the system by using the hand level and adjusting each standoff. By this time you may want to do it by eye but the level always proves to be right. 
11. Insert the end caps for that cleaned up end look. 
12. Assemble and place the spot light heads in there desired place on the Monorail run. 
13. The pendants take a little more effort. The splice on the pendant is the hardest part of this step so take your time and follow the instructions closely when modifying pendant cord length. 
14. Run the system for 20 minutes. 
15. Turn off the system and check for any connections that are hot to the touch. Warm is acceptable. Note that halogen lamps generate heat. Those connections that are hot must be retightened. 
16. Your Tech Lighting MonoRail System is ready to rock and roll. 
17. If you need any further assistance during your installation call your Tech Lighting Monorail Experts.

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