Surface mount fluorescent strip light fixture retrofit kit and method

1. A retrofit assembly for a fluorescent lighting fixture comprising:

an existing fluorescent lighting fixture having an existing ballast and existing plurality of lamp holders;

a plurality of mounting brackets received within said existing fluorescent lighting fixture;

a retrofit channel surrounding said existing fluorescent lighting fixture and removably mounted to said mounting brackets; and

at least one pair of opposing lamp holders attached to an exterior surface of said retrofit channel.

2. The retrofit assembly of claim 1 , wherein said retrofit channel has a plurality of angled portions extending the length of said retrofit channel.

3. The retrofit assembly of claim 1 , further comprising end caps removably attached to said retrofit channel.

4. The retrofit assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a retrofit ballast attached to an interior surface of said retrofit channel.

5. The retrofit assembly of claim 4 , further comprising lamp holder wiring attached to said lamp holders and said retrofit ballast.

6. The retrofit assembly of claim 4 , further comprising power leads extending from said retrofit ballast to an interior chamber of said retrofit channel.

7. A method for retrofitting a fluorescent lighting fixture, comprising the steps of:

disconnecting power to an existing fluorescent lighting fixture;

removing existing lamps and existing ballast cover from said existing fluorescent lighting fixture;

mounting a plurality of mounting brackets into said existing fluorescent lighting fixture, wherein said mounting brackets have a first and a second upturned hook section, and wherein said first and second upturned hook sections grasp around and underneath said existing fluorescent lighting fixture;

hanging a first side wall upper end of a retrofit channel on said plurality of mounting brackets, wherein said first upturned hook sections engage a downwardly turned first lip on said retrofit channel;

connecting power and ground leads to a retrofit ballast in said retrofit channel;

swinging up said retrofit channel toward said existing fluorescent lighting fixture; and

hanging said second side wall upper end of said retrofit channel on said plurality of mounting brackets, wherein said second upturned hook sections engage a downwardly turned second lip on said retrofit channel.

8. A retrofit assembly for a fluorescent lighting fixture comprising:

a fluorescent lighting fixture having a ballast and a plurality of lamp holders on opposing ends;

a plurality of mounting brackets mounted on said fluorescent lighting fixture;

a retrofit channel surrounding said existing fluorescent lighting fixture and removably mounted to said mounting brackets; and

opposing lamp holders attached to an exterior surface of said retrofit channel.