Adding a bit of light to proceedings

What you need is 'Quinetic' switching - a simple system that operates 240 volt lighting at the click of a key fob (what I have fitted to the workshop at Grumpy Towers) very cost effective too - I have now added to the front standard lamp in the garden and will add another one for the garden lighting when I do the patio / fencing later in the year - link below - available via TLC direct - bug me if you want further info 

www.quinetic.co.uk/

www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Manufacturers/Quinetic/index.html?campaign=Manufacturer&source=msn&ad_id=79852127716952&kw=quinetic&network=o&matchtype=p&product_partition_id=kwd-79852220979426:loc-188&test=finalurl_v2&msclkid=5c0b078de46f16e1dc1f67880b5088eb

Work has been relentless this week so not a huge amount of progress achieved, but I did get a couple of bits done.

Firstly got the lamp housing disconnected and down for dismantling/cleaning


Look closely and you'll see how the housing has been doctored to fit a simple bayonet fitting. While it could be perceived as a little annoying that it has already been modified it does in fact help my case and gave me an idea. which you could describe as a light bulb moment ...I'll get my coat 

Anyway before we get to that bit, here's the replacement light source, one of amazons finest LED options which interestingly came with a surprise (more on that in a bit)


After a bit of 'adjustment', ok dismantling and some proof of concept additions to extend the PIR sender on the kitchen table (yes I'm still at it), it looked like this


add a small way of attaching it - that cheap plastic bayonet fitting came in handy afterall (so did the wine), and tidying the wiring


which means it will now fit like so


Time now to tidy the wiring and work out a way of fixing the PIR when I don't want it permanently on. In the meantime my ever-so-able assistant has also decided she wasn't happy with the rustic look and so has made a start on the paint stripping


(see my other thread for the reason for the strange picture angle...)

oh and the surprise, well the LED light comes with a little scratchcard in the box, which if I'm honest I was a little sceptical of, but after an email to the supplier it turns out first prize is another one for free... which arrived this morning. So I now have one ready for the next lamp. Result.

In a word JP, no... but this will be good enough for the outside space. I've another to do that's attached to the house as well. The workshop lighting will get renewed/adjusted in time as we go/tubes die off.

So many hours scraping and cleaning with wire wool and stripper has resulted in a much cleaner lamp housing that's nearly ready for paint


rear panel got the same treatment


Next job is to look at how I'm going to mount the re-wired PIR sensor, a job for this evening all being well.

Yesterday involved another minor distraction, but keeping things related it involved another light/lamp, of a slightly different style however...


This one was a rescue/save from my grandparents old house that we had to clear last year. It was a present for their golden wedding anniversary and so didn't seem right to leave behind, with no other takers and an inkling that if we got the house we wanted it would be rather fitting, I squirrelled it away in one of my lockups.

After a bit of a clean up, new coat of paint and a minor relocation with us, it was now time to get it installed in it's new home. Did I mention it's also bl**dy heavy 

Now given the lockdown, not having a car to hand (long story), plus my slight wombling tendencies I have of making use of things I find lying about, it was decided that was going to be my way forward for installing the lamp as opposed to getting a load of ballast and making a mess. First job then, identify a suitable base from the stockpile of paving and other castoffs lying about the place.

Rather handily there was a lump of cast concrete found behind one of the buildings that appears to come from an old sink installation that looked like it would do the job. So a quick measure up before digging a hole to match... I think SWMBO thought she was in real trouble at this point . She's small, but not that small.


test fit the base


Before removing, marking out the holes, drilling through a sodding hard lump, then adding studding so I could bolt through it and attach the post


After a spot of swearing and straightening while I ran the cabling we were soon upright


As is always the way, it was at this point the light was fading fast, ironic really

So a hasty tidy up, refit glass and top and temporarily put a socket on the wiring to test things, et voila


That will do nicely, relaid the turf and put the tools away just in time before the next dusting of snow. I just need to finish tidying the wiring and get it wired into a switch in the house with one of the remotes mentioned above. Her ladyship also rather likes it too so I'd call that a result all round.

Thank you sir, we're getting there.

370mm diameter - plenty!

370mm diameter, that is big! I wonder what it came off originally?

Love the lamppost, I’m looking for one myself as our new house is crying out for something like that.

Good job on the lamp, not so good to see blue lights, did the water get very close?

Perhaps you need a moat?! we have one all round our place which the drainage board keep clear and monitor the levels