Fixing wall light to concrete fence post

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I have a wall light I’m wanting to fix to a concrete fence post. The fitting itself however assumes the cable is coming out of the wall, so the gasket is in the centre of the back. I’ll be running cable up the front of the fence post however, and with this cable being circa 8.5mm thick the unit clearly won’t sit flush on the post....so I can’t figure out a clean way of fixing them to the posts. It’s a concrete fence post so channelling the cable up inside or similar is out of the question too. I’m thinking maybe having some kind of junction box/conduit box fixed to the post, with the cable running up into that, then the light fixing to the front might be the idea, but can’t find anything like that. The light fitting is a “Saxby Palin Twin Wall Light” and the mounting box is circular, 85mm diameter. Any ideas? A neighbour did similar but used much thinner cable so was able to pretty much just wire that up behind and still get it pretty flush. I’m wanting the more weather proof cable though so have opted for thicker rubber sheathed pool stuff.
Thanks
 
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Is it like this one?

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Yes that’s the one. I’m wondering now if I punch a hole through the bottom/side of the mounting ring. Although not sure what I’d use to do that. Or do I try and drill a recess into the concrete post itself...
 
I don't like drilling into fence posts, I think it makes them more likely to crack.

Maybe you could devise a pattress?

The edges of the steel will chafe through cable insulation unless you use a gland (best) or grommet.
 
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Yes that’s the one. I’m wondering now if I punch a hole through the bottom/side of the mounting ring.
I wouldn't punch a hole but cut the base to fit over the cable - with part of a grommet.

Use a Dremel or similar.
 
Thanks all. I’ve got a conical metal file, and actually without massive effort been able to file out a half moon into the metal rim. Looks like it might be perfect....will try tomorrow and see how I get on. Only worry now is around fixing the cable to the post. I’ve got some cable clips, which obviously won’t hammer in. So I’ve got some pin plugs, which seem like small rawl plugs...so going to have a go at drilling those in first....
 
I don't like drilling into fence posts, I think it makes them more likely to crack.
I think it does, and it certainly has the ability to actually crack them at the time of drilling - and it's also very possible to hit one of the steel reinforcement bars which is usually present.

Having said all that, I've got away with doing it, at least as far as the short/medium-term is concerned, in my time!

Kind Regards, John
 
My neighbours tried to fix something to one of my fence posts using a drill. The top of the fence post broke off. I'll get them back one day!
 
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Thanks all. I’ve got a conical metal file, and actually without massive effort been able to file out a half moon into the metal rim. Looks like it might be perfect....will try tomorrow and see how I get on. Only worry now is around fixing the cable to the post. I’ve got some cable clips, which obviously won’t hammer in. So I’ve got some pin plugs, which seem like small rawl plugs...so going to have a go at drilling those in first....

glue.

s-l1600.jpg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SELF-ADH...a4fc7aa:g:icoAAOSwYVBZqsMX&LH_ItemCondition=3
 
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I think it does, and it certainly has the ability to actually crack them at the time of drilling - and it's also very possible to hit one of the steel reinforcement bars which is usually present.

Having said all that, I've got away with doing it, at least as far as the short/medium-term is concerned, in my time!

Kind Regards, John
A friend of mine had a new fence put up, about a dozen Concrete posts, the neighbour tried to drill several holes in about half of them. Basically every one of them exploded and all that was left was lumps of concrete on steel re-bar.
On those verry rare ocassions that I've done it [slowly and no hammer action] have been totally fine but I don't like drilling reinforced posts for that reason.
 
A friend of mine had a new fence put up, about a dozen Concrete posts, the neighbour tried to drill several holes in about half of them. Basically every one of them exploded and all that was left was lumps of concrete on steel re-bar.
I haven't been anything like as unlucky as that, but I have certainly had a few 'bad outcomes' :)
On those verry rare ocassions that I've done it [slowly and no hammer action] have been totally fine but I don't like drilling reinforced posts for that reason.
That's largely been my experience. Even traditional hammer actiopn is definitely a no-no, but I've seen people trying with SDS drills, whereupon the post usually 'explodes' or, at least, totally disintegrates!

As JohnD has suggested, some sort of adhesive (or even just 'wires around' the post) is certainly a safer option!

Kind Regards, John
 
will those stick and stay to concrete though do you think?
From past experiences, I would rather doubt it (the surface of the concrete is likely to be too rough). However, 'grab adhesives' generally work quite well on concrete, although things often/usually need supporting for a significant time whilst it cures/sets/whatever.

Kind Regards, John
 
Think id be tempted to put a wooden boxing round the post to hide the cables and fix the light too this can be fixed to the wood panels each side or into the slotted grooves, stain it to match the panels
My neighbour cable tied solar lights to his fence,uncut so they stick out my side, it looks crap from my side but what can i say
 
You could fix timber or plastic around the concrete. Worst case, buy a supermarket chopping plastic board.
Hardwood would be best. Use straps or make a timber collar. You could use metal brackets to secure the base if the post is the slotted type.
 

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