Judy Zappacosta wrote:
I need a recommendation for an indicator light (maybe mailorder?) for
my mailbox.

Here's the situation.
* It's a custom mailbox, basically a door cemented in a pillar of
concrete
* It just has a square metal door with a brass inside latch (all
metal)
* It's higher than my eyes in the car window by about a foot
* So I have to reach inside to see if anything is in there
* It doesn't even have one of those little red (manual) flags
* There isn't 120v lighting but landscape lighting is only a foot away

I wonder if technology can help me?

It would be nice if there was a way to mount an external LED such
that an internal light sensor activates it to indicate mail in the
mailbox.

Any pointers?

First, the postal service may stop delivering mail if your box doesn't have
a red flag. The flag directs the person-person (used to be mailman) to pick
up outgoing mail.

Second, there are distance from the ground requirements. The old requirement
was 41-45" from the ground. The new requirement (~Jan 2005) is that the
height be approved by the local postmaster. If you're in the 42" range you
should be okay.

Having gotten this far, check the mailboxes at your local box store. There's
an easy way to add a small flag to the box such that the flag goes up when
the door is opened and you can discover the trick by looking at the display
models.