Restoring old outdoor lamp

[mazzawa]

Hey everyone,

Long time lurker here, hope you can help me with this query.

We have the original early Edwardian front door lamp still in situ, but the electrics have been removed, glass has been lost, and has been replaced by a very ugly light with pir next to it. I want to have a go at restoring the lamp and getting rid of the ugly modern 'thing'. Points i need help with:

- The lamp is a lantern style but has no base (it hangs over the front door, bulb from the top). After replacing the glass around the sides, what lamp socket and bulb should I use to ensure it is waterproof and wont go boom?! The only waterproof socket I can find is american...
- Would it be possible to wire a PIR to this away from the lamp (pointing at our gate), say 10ft away? In case anyone can spot a problem with this!

The lamp can be removed from the wall (looks like it has been when the other light was put up) so can take it down to do the works. I can change a plug and fix the xmas tree lights, so hoping this wont be too complicated for me!

All help is gratefully received

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Festoon lampholders are waterproof enough, but as long as the body of the light doesn't leak, and the glass is sealed, how much water is going to get upwards into it?

Use a CFL with enclosed tubes, such as these - it'll look nicer:

No problem with having a PIR there, but how/where would you route the cable?

Buried SWA would be best. 4-core.

• http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/7.13.3.htm
  
  
• //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:swa-gland

 

[mazzawa]

Thanks for such a quick reply!

One further question: I've had a look at the festoon lamp holders you have suggested but the ones I have found seem to be wired from the side rather than the back, meaning it won't sit well against the top of the lantern (it is peaked with the wire entrance hole in the centre). Would you be kind enough to point me in the direction/give me a more accurate search term so I can find the right lamp holder please? Apart from the wiring issue, the festoon LH looks to be the thing I'm looking for

Thanks also for the bulb suggestions (look spot on) and comments about the pir!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I don't know of any better term.

Maybe add 'rewirable'?

Image searches are a faster way to see what things look like.

You may have to employ some mechanical ingenuity.

 

[Iggifer]

http://www.cordsncables.co.uk/acata..._E27___B22_porcelain_ceramic_lamp_holder.html

Just over half way down, dependant on how much space you've got at the top that may work, you could also put the hottest lamp you wanted in (no need to, but you could) and it would cope fine)

 

[mazzawa]

Thanks again for the replies. I never thought of looking at vivarium bulb holders, what a good idea! There is one on that website that looks ideal

Wish me luck, now I've got to make this work!