Replace Loft Batten Holder Light with LED Strip

[ebee]

I meant is it strong enough?

Well it is the age old dilemma.
Some are passable for the occasional weight of person and maybe to store the odd xmas decorations too.
But what happens in practice? Some get crammed full of heavy objects including (not kidding) dumbbells for weight training and all manner of things, I`ve seen ceilings with largely notice physical bends (and I do mean largely noticeable rather just a little bit out of flat and level) and often held up with just a few rusty old 4" or 6" nails (and sometimes) for best part of a hundred years .

In fact one young man, estranged from his partner and children, was concerned that his children told him that one of their friends had fallen out of the loft hatch onto the bathroom floor below, luckily no serious injury.
His ex brushed it off as exaggeration, he asked her not to let the children play there, not even a loft ladder too.
She persisted so eventually he got the local council involved.
After initial investigation they sent him a letter and he asked me to read it.
One part mentioned the she had told them it was only for a few Xmas decorations and not for children to use as a playing den.
Adding that the structure of the floor was by far more than adequate for such a relatively light loading.
He was disappointed that the council had totally disregarded his concerns.
I read it then suggested he read it again, slowly and see if he could see a different meaning in the letter.
I suggested he consider that they were thinking why the heck someone would go to the time and expense of having flooring in the loft, in such an OTT fashion, for such a stated intended purpose - he eventually had a "road to Damascus" moment , the council subsequently had visited her and forbade her, in writing and a few stern warning words, from using from anything other than her stated purposes, and forbade any children to go up there.

Next time he saw his children they told him that their Mother had told them "Your Father has stopped you from using your play area!".

A ploy to score Brownie Points against him?

It is amazing what some folks will do with lofts.

 

[Sureitsoff?]

Easy enough to disconnect it.

Or just leave the lamp in it.

 

[AndyPRK]

In reality, can't see anyone climbing up there and sticking their fingers in there, but we don't allow common sense anymore. (though ebee example doesn't help my case!)

 

[333rocky333]

Is there a light switch, you may find the lampholder is wired direct to the switch, therefore may be better to replacre the wire direct from switch to the new light and therefore no junction box needed

 

[SUNRAY]

It is amazing what some folks will do with lofts.

One of the 0ne bed flat rental properties I did some work in I found around a dozen single beds - mostly a spring base with no legs laying across the joists, a couple of camping Gaz stoves and burnt down candles in various locations. Being used to house a number of students.

 

[Door7000]

Points noted.

I think the best solution is to add a second batten holder. Move the existing one higher up and a few feet to the right of the hatch, and have a second one same height and a few feet to the left of the hatch. That will give a good throw of light on both sides with double light in the centre.

I have not traced the current cable to see if it can be replaced but I assume there is a connection box somewhere in the loft space as the switch is on the landing wall. If I can't replace the cable I just need to put a junction box where the batten holder currently is and run two wires up and sideways. Would Wago connectors and box be ok for this?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

as the switch is on the landing wall.

If that is the stair landing, below the hatch, it's a good position to have it. You can check the loft light hasn't been left on, without having to venture into the loft, or opening the hatch. My loft light switches, are up by the ceiling, along-side where the ladder is. Handy to switch on, on the way up, but I can check they are off, with hatch closed, with a glance.

Would Wago connectors and box be ok for this?

Yes, or even a cheap, brown joint box, if the box will remain accessible.