Outside Light

[hightower]

My mate has asked me to install an outside floodlight. I've been today to have a look and the install is up-to-scratch (RCDs, good Zs's etc) but there's a couple of options to do the work.

Option 1 is to tap in to the kitchen light circuit - the kitchen is in a single storey extension with a slant roof, it'll be tight up there to work in, plus I'm not exactly sure how to bring the cable out (do I just try and find a path between the roof tiles and top of the brick work?

Option 2 is to tap off the upstairs ring final. There's a socket at the top of the stairs, I could chase an FCU in to the wall next to it and then drill straight out the back of the FCU to take it outside.

After looking at it, I'd say it's six and two three's for ease of install - crawling about in a small attic space vs chasing walls. So I'm leaning towards option 1 because I think it will be a more professional install, but just wanted to gather other opinions on the matter before I give my mate a plan of attack.

 

[ruston]

Yes , but yours will be straight into the back of the box suitably sealed . Won't it?:yesnod:

 

[Dave OCD]

T+e? Oh no, you're gonna start a whole new debate

Yeah but I live in the real world mate, of course I assumed it'll be in conduit. :laugh3:

 

[hightower]

Aye, it'll have a short run, maybe 3 metres external so will run it in hi tuff

 

[Dave OCD]

Yes , but yours will be straight into the back of the box suitably sealed . Won't it?:yesnod:

Precisely my assumption too. :uhoh2:

 

[123]

Emery and cost off running and replacement lamps every year or two plus time, if she's capable of replacing it.
Every customer has always agreed with me and gone for the led route, I don't ever even quote for halogen. As they rust and do t last long and waste good energy any how.


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The LED fittings will rot and rust to just the same extent unless you are going with polycarbonate fittings...

 

[joehat]

Not a customer though, it's a mate with not a lot of money. As for cost of replacements, you'd have to replace 10 or 15 lamps in order to get your money back.

I've had customers say they only last 6 months, it's the doesn't natter if rusts a little as you don't need to change lamps, also the energy saving over 5 years alone will be the difference, I wasn't saying don't, just I feel it's a lot better that's all

 

[joehat]

Perhaps. To add, they've just moved in to rented accommodation, that is quite frankly disgusting. I think they'll be there a year and then onwards and upwards so don't think they are bothered about a 10 year plan etc. Just need something to get the bike in and out the yard with. Thanks for all advice though, I do take everyone's opinions on board.

Fair enough, but I didn't know that

 

[hightower]

I've had customers say they only last 6 months, it's the doesn't natter if rusts a little as you don't need to change lamps, also the energy saving over 5 years alone will be the difference, I wasn't saying don't, just I feel it's a lot better that's all

I'm not convinced a single light will save you 30 quid in energy over 5 years - happy to be proved otherwise though. We're talking about a light that might be on for a total of 10 minutes per day mind - not 5 or 6 hours. But yes, very good point about rusting and not having a lamp to change - witnessed that first hand more than once with halogen. Pain in the backside

 

[joehat]

I'm not convinced a single light will save you 30 quid in energy over 5 years - happy to be proved otherwise though. We're talking about a light that might be on for a total of 10 minutes per day mind - not 5 or 6 hours. But yes, very good point about rusting and not having a lamp to change - witnessed that first hand more than once with halogen. Pain in the backside

I have a dog , so comes on for 10 min intervals like 5 times a night,

I like them also as they are less harsh on the eye as I use the daylight ones like most of them now.

 

[hightower]

I have a dog , so comes on for 10 min intervals like 5 times a night,

I like them also as they are less harsh on the eye as I use the daylight ones like most of them now.

But surely this is a case of horses for courses, and LED isn't automatically the correct answer in every case?

 

[Martyc]

I paid nowt for my led outside light because it came off a job where they were being replaced (but perfectly fine). The cool white light makes you feel even colder tho when you go out for a cheeky ciggy


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[Deleted member 72666]

I'm not convinced a single light will save you 30 quid in energy over 5 years - happy to be proved otherwise though. We're talking about a light that might be on for a total of 10 minutes per day mind - not 5 or 6 hours. But yes, very good point about rusting and not having a lamp to change - witnessed that first hand more than once with halogen. Pain in the backside

So this place must be sheltered from high winds, wildlife including cats, foxes, badgers, bears etc, well alright may be not bears but you get my point.

 

[Dave OCD]

99% of the time I choose warm white LEDs [around 2500-3000k] whether for interior downlighting or external floods. I know it isn't as efficient in terms of lumens per circuit watt and all that but IMO the light emitted is more pleasant .

 

[hightower]

It's a bloody back yard, 20 foot squared, enclosed with an 8 foot wall. I highly doubt David Attenborough is gonna be camped out there narrating.

 

[Dave OCD]

It's a bloody back yard, 20 foot squared, enclosed with an 8 foot wall. I highly doubt David Attenborough is gonna be camped out there narrating.

In that case a little 60w polycarb bulkhead with a PIR would do the trick.