Planning, installing and using either indoor or outdoor artificial lights.
5
votes
1answer
603 views
What is the best way to light a Lexan (Polycarbonate) sheet?
I've recently installed a Lexan 'whiteboard' in my garage which works as well as I'd hoped.
I now want to use some type of lighting to light up the board in a useful/visual appealing way.
Shown ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Is this 2 way light switch wired dangerously?
One of the switches in this 2 way setup has been acting up, I popped it off to replace it and it's wired like this:
The only configuration I know of that is like this is the Carter system. Is this ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
Can I use a 23 W CFL in a fixture that's rated for a 60 W incandescent?
I have a lamp that is rated at 60 Watts for an incandescent bulb with a disclaimer to use a 13 Watt bulb instead when using a CFL replacement. Do I really need to respect that disclaimer? Would not a ...
4
votes
3answers
481 views
How can I utilize a light switch for a specific outlet?
I just moved into a new apartment and in one of the bedrooms, there is a light switch that switches one of the outlets on and off. Unfortunately, this outlet is placed in the opposite side of the room ...
4
votes
4answers
6k views
Why won't my bathroom light fixture work?
Had a surprise this morning when I went to turn on my bathroom light and it didn't work. All the incandescent bulbs (4 of them) appear to be fine, and the fan which is on the switch beside the light ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
What about a light switch in the closet?
Okay you guys I have next question. And like all good questions this one begins with a story.
I was reading the post about a nick in a wire and read a couple of you mention that light switch in a ...
4
votes
2answers
534 views
Old light fixture box
I live in an older house (California) and the overhead light fixture boxes seem small. They unreceptive to the fixtures my wife has purchased from Ikea in that they have two holes for accepting ...
4
votes
4answers
324 views
How can I wire an array of ceiling lights for easy reconfigurability?
I want to put in 16 new recessed lights (roughly a 4x4 grid), and I want to control them with two panels (one on each entrance to the room) of switches. But since we are constantly rearranging the ...
4
votes
3answers
5k views
What is the difference between R20 and PAR20 lightbulbs?
Are they compatible? What do R and PAR prefixes represent in general?
Important decision, need to buy several replacement lightbulbs!
4
votes
1answer
512 views
Is it generally safe to use a lower wattage bulb in a light fixture? (Specifically Halogen bulbs)
I just bought a light fixture that uses GU10 base Halogen bulbs and came with 50 watt bulbs that are way too bright for my purposes.
The documentation lists the maximum wattage bulbs that can be used ...
4
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I remove a flush mounted ceiling light fixture dome?
My bedroom has a very nice looking flush mounted ceiling light with a glass dome. However, all the bulbs have gone out and I cannot get the glass out to replace them. I'm 5'4" and standing on the ...
4
votes
2answers
3k views
How to replace 12v halogen under cabinet lighting with LED lighting from scratch?
Somebody initially wired up six 12 vac 10 w halogen bulbs under my kitchen cabinet, wiring them in parallel. The 12 vac power supply was putting off a lot of heat, and within a day or two appeared to ...
4
votes
4answers
425 views
Customizing christmas light strings
Generally, when hanging my christmas lights, I run a line around the gutters on my second floor. From there, I drop down and put a string across the roof line on the front porch of my house.
This ...
4
votes
3answers
387 views
What's a good way to customize or recess a lightswitch?
I saw this etsy project:
Working Arcade Light Switch
And while it's pretty cool, I'm not huge into arcade or fighting games, so I was going to make my own, and change the buttons.
How would be a ...
4
votes
3answers
798 views
Can I safely power a three-prong electrical device from a light socket?
I have a covered lampholder (light socket) outside my house that I want to use to temporarily power a plug-in string of indoor/outdoor lights. Using CFLs, the total wattage of the string of lights ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Can I use a motion sensor to control fluorescent lights that are plugged into an outlet?
In my garage, the light switch by the door is wired to an outlet on the ceiling. I've got two, inexpensive 4' fluorescent lighting fixtures plugged into that outlet. I know that wiring a fluorescent ...
4
votes
1answer
478 views
How do airtight recessed lights compare to IC-rated ones?
I'm trying to figure out what recessed lights to purchase. The ceiling room has an attic directly above with insulation in between. It appears that IC-rated cans are necessary here, correct? How ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
How do I repair a canned light that's falling down?
I apologize if the term is not "can light", but I don't know what these types of lights are called.
Anyhow, the "can" of one of our lights has fallen out from the drywall ceiling (just a bit), and ...
4
votes
2answers
125 views
How can I make tiki torch holders from PVC pipe or equivalent?
I have a plan to attach some short segments of PVC piping to a pool fence and use them as holders for tiki torches. These are the questions that I'm trying to find answers to:
Can you suggest ...
4
votes
1answer
562 views
Can I use the white from one switch, but the black from another?
Some terminology, because I don't know any better:
light-fixture - An existing, separate, light fixture...currently with dedicated 14/2
vent-unit - A new vent just installed, has three ...
4
votes
1answer
277 views
When choosing lighting fixtures for new construction, should I go integrated or non-integrated CFL?
I do facilities maintenance for a company in Boston, and one of our newer buildings (built in 2006) has non-integrated CFL fixtures. I was really surprised when I went to HomeDepot to buy some new ...
4
votes
1answer
222 views
Can I use a 175 Watt rated dimmer switch with 4 50 Watt low-voltage light bulbs?
In my bathroom I have 4 x 50W 12V halogen lights, each one connected to its own dimmable capable transformer.
I've purchased a ceiling-mounted dimmer switch from Amazon, to replace the current on/off ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
How does a 2 way light switch work?
A two way light switch allows the light to be controlled from two locations, how does this work?
4
votes
1answer
339 views
Why is this ceiling light fixture wired this way?
I'm trying to replace the hanging light below and I've gotten a little confused. Shouldn't the brown wire on the left be connected to the live (red) wires rather than the neutral? I understand that ...
4
votes
2answers
386 views
How can I add a second light to a circuit?
I have recessed lights that are controlled by two switches. They used a black, red and white wire for each switch to a junction box then used a 14-2 wire to the recessed lights. My question is how do ...
4
votes
2answers
389 views
What recessed lighting technology is recommended for LED?
I'm remodeling my first floor and we will install recessed lighting in the existing ceiling. Right now is a tense time to make lighting choices as there are so many new technologies out there. My goal ...
4
votes
2answers
589 views
Why does my fan switch sometimes turn the lights off?
I recently undertook a small project replacing a single toggle light switch with a Z-wave enabled dimmer switch, which is also wired to a fan toggle (a knob with 3 speed settings) in a 2-gang case. ...
4
votes
1answer
856 views
What are my lighting options for a pole-barn garage?
I just added on to my pole-barn garage, it now has 1500 square feet. There is a single flourecent (and door opener) lighting it currently. I would like to add some serious lighting as I work on my ...
4
votes
1answer
296 views
How should I connect my light fixture?
I'm installing a ceiling light to a fixture that was previously unused. However I'm having trouble because there are 2 groups of white wires. Which white wire should I connect with the white wire of ...
4
votes
1answer
229 views
Can I install a light between two three-way switches?
is it possible to add a light to a three way switch circuit between the two three way switches (ie can i tie into the three wire connecting the two switches in anyway to make them work the new light ...
4
votes
1answer
275 views
How can I get recessed lighting on a middle floor? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do I install uninsulated halogen can lights?
I would like to install some recessed lights in my living room. I've done this sort of job in houses with an attic ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Why won't my dimmer dim CFL Lights?
My dinning room had an on/off switch for the light which made it impossible to have romantic dinners there - the light was either too bright or off. So I decided to install a dimmer. Being energy ...
3
votes
2answers
441 views
Why does my ceiling lights require some other outlet in the room to be turned on and off again before it works?
Picture the scene: I walk into a room and flick the light switch. Nothing happens. I grobble around in the dark to where a baby bottle warmer is plugged into a normal outlet and turn the warmer on. ...
3
votes
4answers
839 views
Where can I find or make a remote wireless light switch?
I have a light switch in my garage that controls lights in front of my home. The switch is located in a corner of the garage where a large shelf has been stored. It is very difficult to the switch.
...
3
votes
3answers
251 views
How do I get my fluorescent 4-tube under-cabinet lights to come on reliably?
How do I get my fluorescent 4-tube under-cabinet lights to come on reliably?
When they have been on a while and just been turned off they will reliably come on again immediately with no flicker. ...
3
votes
1answer
5k views
Light switch setup using only hot wire. Is it normal?
I was changing the light switches around the house when I came upon this setup.
The two switches to the right are all wired using the hot wire (black) from the two electrical wire on the back panel. ...
3
votes
3answers
3k views
Can a mix of receptacles and light fixtures be installed on a single circuit?
A while ago we had some renovations done in our house. After the electrician was done, we realized we now had one light switch in our kitchen that was no longer connected to anything. It is in a ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I fix a ceiling fan that won't turn off?
I have a ceiling light/fan fixture in one of my rooms connected to a single electrical switch. There are two pullchains on the fixture, one that controls the light, the other controlling the fan. I'd ...
3
votes
3answers
900 views
Do you know any switches which turns on/off based on day light?
I am looking for having some sensor based switches which will turn on/off the lights based on the light conditions during the day (i.e. turn on when there is less light and turn off when there is more ...
3
votes
4answers
560 views
How can I light picture frames from the floor?
I would like to light up three picture frames with something from the floor. They will be behind a sofa so we wouldn't see them and the picture frames are about at 1.5 meter above the ground.
I have ...
3
votes
3answers
287 views
How many fixtures can run off a transformer?
How many twenty watt fixtures can run off a 100 watt transformer?
Is it less than five?
What overhead involved?
3
votes
2answers
87 views
What parts do I need to get this outdoor light working?
I'm sure I need a light bulb of some type, but I do not know what kind or what else I need. I just bought my first house and I am a DIY rookie.
3
votes
4answers
421 views
How to spread light more
Which one is better for light bulbs in home to get more from light.
White board behind bulb?
White plastic covering the bulb?
Mirror behind the bulb?
Any other way?
How to get more from a ...
3
votes
4answers
139 views
Can I use flexible LED strips to get better lighting in my kitchen?
My wife and I really hate how the lights in our kitchen are central and overhead, making it so that when we cut vegetables or work on the counters, our shadow blocks the light from being able to see ...
3
votes
1answer
387 views
Why do light bulbs all over the house burn out disconcertingly fast?
I've found a couple answers to this question. This generally revolve around the scenario where it's bulbs in a general area such as a fan.
My issue is that light bulbs all over the house burn out ...
3
votes
2answers
337 views
What kind of light can I install in a small, low-ceiling coat closet?
Our Northern California house has a small coat closet (really a hallway with 2 doors and hooks for coats) between our front entry-way and our basement. It's a tiny space: 3 feet wide, 5 feet deep, and ...
3
votes
1answer
603 views
How do I wire a two tube ballast to a single tube fixture?
I am replacing a ballast for a single tube. The new ballast I purchased is designed for two tubes but states that it is also compatible with a single (more powerful) tube corresponding exactly to what ...
3
votes
2answers
812 views
Why does the breaker trip occasionally after I installed a new light fixture?
We bought a house a couple of years ago with a covered light fixture box in the ceiling (a blank cover over a wired box and a blank cover over the switch box). I recently modified a plug-in pendant ...
3
votes
5answers
2k views
What are my options for replacing 50W GU10 lightbulbs?
I've been looking at replacing 50W GU10 halogen lightbulbs for something more energy efficient.
Some people say that LEDs cannot give you the same light (even 10W LEDs), and to use 11W CFL instead, ...
3
votes
5answers
808 views
How do I replace a bulb in this bathroom light/fan?
Can figure out how to open it. Maybe somebody has a similar one.
