Exterior Light Ideas

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quebec

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#233496 18-Apr-2018 14:42

So house is getting painted and the exterior bulk head lights on either side of Garage door need to be replaced or removed as they are old and when I replaced the bulbs last time the holder and other bits inside are falling apart. Options are -
1. Replace with same or another type of exterior lights. I went looking but could not find anything that we like.
2. Remove them from the wall and install 2 LED down lights in soffit
3. Remove existing lights and get the holes patched while house getting painted and don't install any lights.

Exactly same lights are in the backyard too that need replacing. Would LED down lights be suitable for backyard? Please share your thoughts suggestions.

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#1998960 18-Apr-2018 20:33

Downlights in soffets are at best only useful right by the house, at worst are decorative at best.

Those look like bog standard bulkheads, there are dirt cheap LED versions available now which should pop right over the marks in the wall where they are left. I would just do that.

Richard rich.ms

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#1998964 18-Apr-2018 20:42

richms:

Downlights in soffets are at best only useful right by the house, at worst are decorative at best.

Those look like bog standard bulkheads, there are dirt cheap LED versions available now which should pop right over the marks in the wall where they are left. I would just do that.

i agree, it would be the cheapest and easiest solution

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#1998989 18-Apr-2018 22:05

Then move onto the rusting alarm box.

quebec

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#1999293 19-Apr-2018 13:06

Thanks now which one to get. Mitre 10 has Arlec Brand but the housing is cheap plastic so not sure if that's a good one and it's white - https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/orbit-lighting-bulkhead-led-oval-8-watt/p/269856
Bunnings has powder coated aluminium one's 5W & 8W https://www.bunnings.co.nz/arlec-8w-white-led-oval-bunker-light_p07071715 Doesn't says color of light or type of bulb.

Will I get better quality at places like Ideal? If I put one with standard bulb slot like the existing one's, only advantage I can see is that I can change bulbs myself and put Hue if I wanted to though not sure if that will be of any use as one switch controls security sensor light, these two bulk heads and the light under door. So if there is movement, all lights light up. So for this type of light is warm white ok for external use as i don't really like the bright white light. As I said before, I've got two to replace in the backyard area too.

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#1999299 19-Apr-2018 13:20

How about something like these:

http://www.ambiuslighting.co.nz/product-catalogue/outdoor-lighting/bulk-head/14w-sensor-bulkhead-black-white-abh14rs

Don't know the pricing but having a built in sensor would be pretty handy - Actually - I could use one at our front door.... hmm

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

quebec

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#1999331 19-Apr-2018 14:33

robjg63:

How about something like these:

http://www.ambiuslighting.co.nz/product-catalogue/outdoor-lighting/bulk-head/14w-sensor-bulkhead-black-white-abh14rs

Don't know the pricing but having a built in sensor would be pretty handy - Actually - I could use one at our front door.... hmm

Thanks These look good but will have to change the wiring for the sensor to work as only one switch at the moment control all exterior lights in front. Security sensor light, down light under door and the two bulk heads.

They also have standard one without the sensor. Will have a look at them. Wonder if they have them in Warm White or Natural White instead of cool daylight.

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#1999624 19-Apr-2018 22:49

The bunnings ones are horribly low CRI and 5000k but are really cheap. There is a 4000k one at mitre10 but the single one I got to test had really bad 100Hz flicker so messed up the security cameras and was not nice to look at.

Richard rich.ms

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#1999639 19-Apr-2018 23:45

https://www.halcyonlights.co.nz/products/exterior-lighting/exterior-multi-use-wall-and-column/surface-mount/

Lots of options around. Try a an electrical wholesaler.

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#1999648 20-Apr-2018 01:31

I suggest Ideal electrical or maybe a lighting store.

Plastic wont rust, but if you can get it in black, that would be better.

LED downlights are highly directional and wont cover a very large area.

The next best thing you could do is halogen lamps but they are too bright - the bulkhead is probably the best one for the job, unless you want to go with a flat dome or decorative lamp.

Ray Taylor

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quebec

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#2000312 21-Apr-2018 15:02

raytaylor:
I suggest Ideal electrical or maybe a lighting store.

Plastic wont rust, but if you can get it in black, that would be better.

LED downlights are highly directional and wont cover a very large area.

The next best thing you could do is halogen lamps but they are too bright - the bulkhead is probably the best one for the job, unless you want to go with a flat dome or decorative lamp.

Thanks. Went to ideal and ended up getting these 12W for 35+GST each so not that cheap.
https://www.rexellighting.co.nz/product/rx-basic?i=1716T

Saw these at Mite 10 later and quite like the idea that they can take standard bulbs as if the other ones break for some reason you got to call the electrician again. What do you guys think of Philips, I have E27 L10W LEd bulbs, can also put Hue if I wanted to.
https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/philips-wall-light/p/283868

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#2000607 22-Apr-2018 13:00

I would have suggested just getting a light fixture (available from ideal) that takes standard bayonet or edison screw bulbs and that way you could just put in an LED bulb which is user replaceable but for $35+gst thats about what i would have expected to pay for that product from anywhere else.

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#2000681 22-Apr-2018 15:40

I notice that all the LED ES and B22 bulbs have on them that they are only for open lamps.

Can you use them in enclosed security lights?

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#2000700 22-Apr-2018 16:41

k1w1k1d:
I notice that all the LED ES and B22 bulbs have on them that they are only for open lamps.

Can you use them in enclosed security lights?

I always see that note as well and wonder about it.

LED bulbs don't get all that hot (compared to incandescent) but I suppose they are much more sensitive to heat.
So I guess that is why you get the warnings.
Don't know if there are any LED bulbs that are designed for enclosed fittings...

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quebec

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#2000702 22-Apr-2018 16:48

raytaylor:
I would have suggested just getting a light fixture (available from ideal) that takes standard bayonet or edison screw bulbs and that way you could just put in an LED bulb which is user replaceable but for $35+gst thats about what i would have expected to pay for that product from anywhere else.

Believe it or not Ideal didnt have bulkhead with standard bulb fitting. I guess lighting direct might have it.
Wonder if Ideal will take these back if I found the ones with standard bulbs. Only thing is that the the enclousure and inside parts of the standard bulbs one dont seem weather friendly as my existing ones have gone blistery from the outside on the sides and the bulb screw holder is also falling apart.
With the LED ones from Ideal, they shouldnt have this issue as they are plastic but if they break I would hate to pay $150 to replace one of them. Whats the deal with the requirement of electrician for replacing else its not legal etc and might have issue with insurance. This is what the guy at Ideal and an electrician there Told me and he also said painter or whoever removed the existing lights shouldnt have done unless they were licensed elec.

dimsim

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#2000730 22-Apr-2018 17:59

quebec:
raytaylor:

I would have suggested just getting a light fixture (available from ideal) that takes standard bayonet or edison screw bulbs and that way you could just put in an LED bulb which is user replaceable but for $35+gst thats about what i would have expected to pay for that product from anywhere else.

Believe it or not Ideal didnt have bulkhead with standard bulb fitting. I guess lighting direct might have it.
Wonder if Ideal will take these back if I found the ones with standard bulbs. Only thing is that the the enclousure and inside parts of the standard bulbs one dont seem weather friendly as my existing ones have gone blistery from the outside on the sides and the bulb screw holder is also falling apart.
With the LED ones from Ideal, they shouldnt have this issue as they are plastic but if they break I would hate to pay $150 to replace one of them. Whats the deal with the requirement of electrician for replacing else its not legal etc and might have issue with insurance. This is what the guy at Ideal and an electrician there Told me and he also said painter or whoever removed the existing lights shouldnt have done unless they were licensed elec.

I'd like to think that's BS - surely if they have been originally installed by a suitably qualified installer then simply removing for painting and replacing or a home owner replacing like for like for maintenance shouldn't be an issue. I'm perfectly happy to stand corrected but remember looking at a standard/booklet/wiring advise thingy a while ago when painting our house and it appeared I was able to wire most things as long as it didn't involve connecting to a switch board? Obviously different insurance policy wordings may vary somewhat.

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