Old chestnut...50W decking lights

[ucsman]

Some advice please..

I am planning to put outside my back door a 2G IP56 waterproof socket, fed from a DG socket inside with an RCD wired plug and 1.5mm2 Artic cable (above ground, under deck).

I then want to use 6x50W GU10 spots set into the deck, daisychained from one of the exterior socket outlets. Same 1.5mm Artic used for wiring This is the bit I am not sure of - so many lights appear to be LV with transformer these days?


Is this assumption OK. Looks to be a standard CU for 1998 4 bed house if this helps.

 

[breezer]

you are getting round part p, by doing as you suggest, but 50w 240v gu10 lights outside in decking not a good idea.

First they will be too bright, 2nd mains is dangerous on decking, (even if they are in the correct weatherproof / tread on fittings, which you had'nt mentioned)

If they are to be close to a wall they will be good to light the wall, but you havent said this is what they are for either, so bright lights low down looking up, not good.

may i suggest you get either led decking lights or fibre optic lights, both are safe, and there is a fibre optic one that changes colour (the light not the fibre)

 

[Adam_151]

Think TLC direct do some nice led lights, available in many different colours, and designed for decking, elv.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

you are getting round part p, by doing as you suggest, but 50w 240v gu10 lights outside in decking not a good idea.

First they will be too bright,

Yup

2nd mains is dangerous on decking, (even if they are in the correct weatherproof / tread on fittings, which you had'nt mentioned)

So why do they make them, then?

If they are to be close to a wall they will be good to light the wall, but you havent said this is what they are for either, so bright lights low down looking up, not good.

may i suggest you get either led decking lights or fibre optic lights, both are safe, and there is a fibre optic one that changes colour (the light not the fibre)

If they are to be in different places where some could be bright and some not, maybe GU10 ones with some halogen lamps and some LED? So they all look the same but perform different functions.....

 

[breezer]

your last comment would be better if on 2 ccts, one for led one for halogen.

as for So why do they make them, then? i read it that he wanted to use ordainairy lights not purpose made, yes i know its stupid, but they were never mentioned, and i still dont like mains lights on decking

 

[BenStiller]

never ever think fibre, its cheap and tacky, fibre for telecoms great, but not lighting

 

[breezer]

never ever think fibre, its cheap and tacky, fibre for telecoms great, but not lighting

this is what i was thinking of, it is fibre optic, its not cheap, and its not tacky

it can be used in all weathers, doesnt get hot, changes colour, what more do you want

 

[ucsman]

your last comment would be better if on 2 ccts, one for led one for halogen.

as for So why do they make them, then? i read it that he wanted to use ordainairy lights not purpose made, yes i know its stupid, but they were never mentioned, and i still dont like mains lights on decking

These are proper decking lights - check out Screwfix, quote 62550.
Now seem to be unavailable. Decking is 7m x 3m so did not want anything too weedy. May have another look at LED's - just though they may be a bit dim.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

May have another look at LED's - just though they may be a bit dim.

They don't produce a lot of illumination, that's for sure, more decorative than functional, but on the risers of steps they'll let you see where you're going. Shining upwards they won't do a lot, but then all that upward facing halogens will do is blind you if you look at them - no upfacing light will actually illuminate the surface of the deck.

These are my current "want those ones":

(No, they don't rise up out of the decking, but I guess if you had enough space under it you could make that happen)

http://www.electriclightcompany.co.uk/cgi-bin/ss000001.pl?SS=decking&ACTION=Go!&PR=-1&TB=A&SHOP=

http://www.lighting-direct.co.uk/shop.asp?cat=20

http://www.thelightingsite.com/TLLS/index.htm

http://www.lightsaver.co.uk/shop/showscroll.php?category=drive

http://www.lightsaver.co.uk/shop/showscroll.php?category=gl1

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_External_Index/DriveOver_Light/index.html

 

[ucsman]

ban-all-sheds - wow - I am not even going to ask the price as I know I could not afford them (and have only 20cm riser clearance).
Thanks for all the tips guys - I am off to have a rethink - I may invest the money that would have been required for laser eye surgery after looking down on those 50W Halogens.

Seriously - thanks for the advice all - back to the drawing board.