DIY porch lighting

Marvo · Jan 2, 2015

I needed some lighting on my porch for the New Year barbecue we organised. I looked at different lighting options that were available off the shelf in the local shops and I wasn't to keen on any of them. I really don't like rope light, never have and decent fairy lights were damned expensive for long lengths of 50 meters and whilst they're decorative, they don't really give enough light for practical purposes.

Eventually I decided to go into our workshop and have a scratch around for some old light fittings or something that might work. I couldn't find anything suitable, there was only sodium and metal halide which were way too harsh for home use. As a last resort I grabbed a roll of 3-core flex, a roll of heatshrink and two boxes of 20mm LED panel lights that we use on control panels. Somewhat unorthodox but I ended up in wifey's good books which is what matters. This was the result;

HandySparks · Jan 2, 2015

Very tasteful.

LED light strings seem to be getting better and cheaper. I bought this multicolour string just before Christmas. With 400 LEDs, it's a bit OTT for a single 7ft tree, but a good show, and remarkably bright compared to LED strings of a few years ago.

24m Multicolour String Lights with 400 LED Bulbs | Departments | DIY at B&Q

Paul.M · Jan 2, 2015

Now that is a lot of heat shrinking!

Good end result Marvo, like it.

Marvo · Jan 2, 2015

We have 50 meter rolls of most heat-shrink sizes up to 120mm so a few meters here and there is a bargain if the wife is happy

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Robotstar5 · Jan 2, 2015

Looks good, did the job, but how long did it take to make?.

Marvo · Jan 2, 2015

I have a labourer who installed the cabling whilst I was working, he's not the fastest and he was working alone so it took him about 4 or 5 hours. It took me another 3 hours to make connections and heat shrink. I didn't finish fitting the lamps because we only had 2 boxes and a few loose white pilot lamps in workshop stock, there's still another dozen or so lamps need fitting when the suppliers reopen on the 5th Jan.

Geordie Spark · Jan 2, 2015

Aye it's a canny job son, but are ye qualified & registered to do that sort of work??

Guest77 · Jan 2, 2015

Is it RCD protected chuckle

Marvo · Jan 2, 2015

I'm registered and I should officially do a compliance cert for the circuit. It was a bit of a rush job so at the moment it's just on a 16A plug but I'll finish it properly and wire it to a light switch in the house when time permits.

Yep, all circuits in my house are protected by an RCD. :winkiss:

Geordie Spark · Jan 2, 2015

Marvo said:
I'm registered and I should officially do a compliance cert for the circuit. It was a bit of a rush job so at the moment it's just on a 16A plug but I'll finish it properly and wire it to a light switch in the house when time permits.

Yep, all circuits in my house are protected by an RCD. :winkiss:

............ and this time next year it'll still be "it's just on a 16A plug but I'll finish it properly and wire it to a light switch in the house when time permits. "