On Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:31:42 +0100, Nightjar wrote:

On 04/10/2011 08:42, PeterC wrote:
Just got a floodlight from Lidl. As posted in a previous thread, it's IP44
which I would have thought was just about OK for outdoor use.
On the box there's a graphic of it in rain but in the booklet it's for
indoor and covered outdoor use only.
If it were for my use I'd put it up and just do a bit of extra sealing but
as it's for a neighbour, to replace a defunct one, I don't want to take a
risk.
Would it be OK or should I return it and get a 'proper' one (IP*5/6)?

IP X4 means it is proof against water splashing against it from any
direction, which is the usual minimum for rain. IP X5 is only needed if
it is likely to be hit by a low power jet of water. So, don't put it
where a gutter can overflow onto it and it should be fine.

Put it up yesterday. Getting on nicely, cable stripped and ready to connect,
when a sharp shower came on. Terminal box open of course and front plate
fastened securely but not tight. Tipped the fitting back to shelter the
'lectrics, down the ladder, rescue Makita box, get placcy bag and cover
fitting.
Break for neighbour's apple crumbel and custard.
Dries up, finished wiring, some Plumbers Putty, thinly rolled, on the seal
and fit the cover.
Lamp was a bugger to get in. It's a 4-fold CFL on an adaptor (CFL not
detachable) to fit in place of a standard halogen tube, so it's difficult to
get it in and not apply force to the CFL. There's an anti-rotation block
(due to the overhung weight of the CFL) that means only one way of doing it,
so the reflector had to withstand some deformation by the end of the CFL.

Anyway, all back together, set the pots to try it in daylight - quite
impressive. Bright light (I suspect it's not 'warm white') on quickly. Gave
it a couple of runs in dusk, still a bit of tweaking to do.
At least it can be fitted with a tube.

Now need to fit a PIR to the front light as they're both on the same switch.
Her last BF is an electrician and his work is not good, I've had to correct
some of it and there's still some to do - a cheap 4-way extension lead
hard-wired into a socket in the kitchen! It could have 13A on 1.25mm flex
straight to the ring!


--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway