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Outdoor Lights

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  • 09-11-2012 9:49am
    #1
    Dad11
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭


    I'm looking to erect outdoor Christmas lights this year. Is there an easy way.of.doing this.? Or what do I need ? By the way I dont.want.to.use.solar lights. Its my son's first xmas so I wanna mark it!


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    #2
    Davy
    Registered Users Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    You might want to give a bit more info on what you plan to do, or what advice your looking for?

    Have you any power outside etc


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    #3
    Dad11
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭Dad11


    There is no power outside. I am looking for outdoor power solutions. Wanna run outdoor lights on some trees!




    Davy wrote: »
    You might want to give a bit more info on what you plan to do, or what advice your looking for?

    Have you any power outside etc


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    #4
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users Posts: 5,379 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Your best to go for led lights, they are low voltage and are usually fine outside. The transformer normally goes inside the house the run the low voltage cable out.

    The low voltage cables can usually be run through a window and the window closed on them as they are thin. If you need to extend the cables just use some bell wire on the lv side.

    If you have some trees, a net of lights will probably work well.


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    #5
    Dad11
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭Dad11


    "Bell wire on the lv side" what do you mean ?


    DublinDilbert wrote: »
    Your best to go for led lights, they are low voltage and are usually fine outside. The transformer normally goes inside the house the run the low voltage cable out.

    The low voltage cables can usually be run through a window and the window closed on them as they are thin. If you need to extend the cables just use some bell wire on the lv side.

    If you have some trees, a net of lights will probably work well.


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    #6
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    Dad11 wrote: »
    "Bell wire on the lv side" what do you mean ?

    A transformer (adaptor) plugs into the wall inside the house.

    By lv, he means low voltage, although in electrical terms, its actually elv (extra low voltage). So bell wire can be used to extend the wire from the 230v wall adaptor low voltage output, to the led lights.

    I do exactly that myself when putting led lights on a small tree in the front garden. Although I used speaker wire to extend.

    And just close the window on it as DD said also.


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    #7
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users Posts: 5,379 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Bell wire is usually what's used to wire up a door bell, hence the name. Its very cheap in any hardware. also its very flat, so you can close the window over on it.

    You'll probably be able to buy some lights, with a nice long cable, so might not need to extend with bell wire at all.

    But if you do need to extend them you can use block connectors to join the cables and maybe put the joint in an Obo box (http://spydercctvcameras.ie/img/shop/AA-00155_001.jpg)


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    #8
    Thunderbird2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,250 ✭✭✭Thunderbird2


    Premier have released battery powered outdoor lights that last 30 days on twinkle mode they come on for 8 hours and off for 16 the same time everyday .

    Set of 200 are around €59


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    #9
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Thunderbird2 wrote: »
    Premier have released battery powered outdoor lights that last 30 days on twinkle mode they come on for 8 hours and off for 16 the same time everyday .

    Set of 200 are around €59


    any link or pics????;):D


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    #10
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    400 LED lights from Lidl on a large 12 foot tall real christamss tree in the front garden.

    Lights plugged into an MK outdoor socket and on a digital timer.

    Thats what I do.:)


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    #11
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    paddy147 wrote: »
    400 LED lights from Lidl on a large 12 foot tall real christamss tree in the front garden.

    Lights plugged into an MK outdoor socket and on a digital timer.

    Thats what I do.:)

    I made up a light sensor switch year before last for outdoor led tree lights. Its actually a lead and socket, with LDR and relay circuit i threw together, in it.

    Didnt use it last year but it will be back in action this time.


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    #12
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    robbie7730 wrote: »
    I made up a light sensor switch year before last for outdoor led tree lights. Its actually a lead and socket, with LDR and relay circuit i threw together, in it.

    Didnt use it last year but it will be back in action this time.


    Sounds good.

    Now you know why I wanted the outdoor double sockets in the front and back gardens....(you advized me on that thread.:))

    Christmass time and also for using any gardening tools.:D


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    #13
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    paddy147 wrote: »
    Sounds good.

    Now you know why I wanted the outdoor double sockets in the front and back gardens....(you advized me on that thread.:))

    Christmass time and also for using any gardening tools.:D

    Yes the outdoor sockets can be handy alright.


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    #14
    Dad11
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭Dad11


    Where would I buy these ?


    Thunderbird2 wrote: »
    Premier have released battery powered outdoor lights that last 30 days on twinkle mode they come on for 8 hours and off for 16 the same time everyday .

    Set of 200 are around €59


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    #15
    Dad11
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭Dad11


    How easy is it to install the below


    Masterplug WP21 13A 1-Gang Storm Weatherproof Outdoor Switched Socket Double Pole IP66 Rated
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004S62MQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_ap_am_gb?ie=UTF8


    robbie7730 wrote: »

    Yes the outdoor sockets can be handy alright.


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    #16
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Dad11 wrote: »
    How easy is it to install the below


    Masterplug WP21 13A 1-Gang Storm Weatherproof Outdoor Switched Socket Double Pole IP66 Rated
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004S62MQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_ap_am_gb?ie=UTF8


    You would need to T-Off an existing internal socket and drill a hole out to the outside wall.Use 2.5 T&E Nymj out to new socket location.Put a fused switch spur on aswell,so you can isolate the power to the outdoor socket,when its not in use.

    Or you can hard wire it back to the mains fuseboard and rcd it.

    The latter is what I did.


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    #17
    Dad11
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭Dad11


    The key for me is minimum fuss and disruption! So feed off existing socket is they.way to go I think



    paddy147 wrote: »


    You would need to T-Off an existing internal socket and drill a hole out to the outside wall.Use 2.5 T&E Nymj out to new socket location

    Or hard wire it back to the mains fuseboard and rcd it.

    The latter is what I did.


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    #18
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Dad11 wrote: »
    The key for me is minimum fuss and disruption! So feed off existing socket is they.way to go I think


    Pics added to above post.


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    #19
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    The neon fused switch is for turnig off power to the external socket.

    That way no one else can "avail" of power for free off you..when you are not around.


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    #20
    Thunderbird2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,250 ✭✭✭Thunderbird2


    Woodies have the lights in stock .
    Here's what I do


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    #21
    Dad11
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭Dad11


    Those premier lights are specifically for use outdoor ? Nice.pics!!!!


    Thunderbird2 wrote: »
    Woodies have the lights in stock .
    Here's what I do


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    #22
    Thunderbird2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,250 ✭✭✭Thunderbird2


    Indoor and outdoor


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    #23
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    Thunderbird2 wrote: »
    Woodies have the lights in stock .
    Here's what I do


    Are you Clark Griswald by any chance???:D:D






    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ar-__ub0rc&feature=related


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    #24
    Dad11
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭Dad11


    It's first Christmas with my son he was born in January this year.and wanna.mark.it by doing a little something nice!



    paddy147 wrote: »


    Are you Clark Griswald by any chance???:D:D






    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ar-__ub0rc&feature=related


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    #25
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    I tend to keep it plain and simple.

    A 12 foot real Xmass tree out in the front garden with the white Led lights,hand made wreath on the front door and an 8 foot real tree with plain white led lights in the window of the sitting room.


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    #26
    Thunderbird2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,250 ✭✭✭Thunderbird2


    paddy147 wrote: »


    Are you Clark Griswald by any chance???:D:D






    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ar-__ub0rc&feature=related



    no hahah but that's a reduction in the amount that's put up !
    God I remember checking light bulbs and cords before they released LEDs .. Kinda miss it


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    #27
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    I certainly dont miss trying to find a blown bulb in a string or 200+ flashing lights.:(:D

    Thank god for led lights::)


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    #28
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    paddy147 wrote: »
    I certainly dont miss trying to find a blown bulb in a string or 200+ flashing lights.:(:D

    I know, an absolute pain in the back side that.


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    #29
    paddy147
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 15,858 ✭✭✭✭paddy147


    robbie7730 wrote: »
    I know, an absolute pain in the back side that.


    Years upon years ago,when my mother would be decorating the tree in the family home and the lights were not working propperly...guess who would get the job of finding the blown bulb or bulbs??

    Thats what I got for asking can I help?:pac::D


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    #30
    Bruthal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,422 ✭✭✭✭Bruthal


    paddy147 wrote: »
    Years upon years ago,when my mother would be decorating the tree in the family home and the lights were not working propperly...guess who would get the job of finding the blown bulb or bulbs??

    Thats what I got for asking can I help?:pac::D

    I went and got the led ones myself about 3 years ago because I was fed up looking for blown bulbs every year.


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