The Medway Handyman
wibbled on Sunday 25 October 2009 17:29

Already had some advice from my friendly neighbourhood sparky Adam about
this, but wanted some more ideas.

Need to put some low voltage (12v) lights in a deck. 10 lights, each with
3 LED's.

Lights and manifold/junction are IP66, wall wart needs to be inside
though.

Easiest wiring option is a disused security light. Only other option
would be a right mission.

So, I'm thinking. I could run the cable from the unused light into an
IP66 box like this http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMWPM02.html &
plug in the wall wart.

Only question - do you think the wall wart might overheat?

Overheating: I would think it'll be OK in a box like that, unless, perhaps,
the box in in full sun. There's quite a bit of space to air cool the wart
via convection and plenty of surface area to lose the heat through.

Can you not drill a tiny hole right through the wall and extend the extra
low voltage flex inside to meet the wall wart at a convenient socket?

Or is making use of the security light power feed the only way?

The only tricky bit AFAICS is putting a 13A socket on the end of the
lighting circuit. People normally use 2A or 5A sockets for differentiation
purposes. That would be shafted if the wall-warts plug is built in though.

The one thing that could go wrong is that someone down the line thinks: "Hmm
13A socket, I'll run me welder off that...". Clear labelling as to the
circuit origin would be a must (ie: "This is fed by downstairs lights
breaker, max load 1A" or something...).

Wait for some more informed opinions...

--
Tim Watts

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