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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Lighting up my flag question https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1259110724 Message started by buckstom on Nov 25^th, 2009, 12:58am

Title: Lighting up my flag question
Post by buckstom on Nov 25^th, 2009, 12:58am

I want to light up my flag and I want to light it straight up the pole from the ground. Is there any way I can use a regular PAR fixture with a photo cell and point it straight up without the rain getting in it and shorting everything out? Thanks for your help.

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by LS on Nov 25^th, 2009, 8:40am

You can use a par38 lamp & fixture vertically without any problem, they often point upwards at things, and as they have a rubber collar seal to stop the water running in around the lamp there should be no issues.

You could wire a photocell to the circuit at another point as opposed to right next to the light, they don't have to be close together.

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by Lectrician on Nov 25^th, 2009, 4:01pm

Obviously an IP rated PAR fitting.

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by Goodsparks on Nov 25^th, 2009, 5:40pm

Or you could save a few quid a year in electric and blown lamps by using a small led fitting. A plastic GU10 external 'spike' fitting with a 4 or 5 watt led will give a far more directional light for a fraction of the power consumption and the bits will be less than 20 quid.

Paul

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by buckstom on Dec 10^th, 2009, 12:19am

Lectrician, I'm not sure what an IP fixture is. Can you explain?

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by The_Trician on Dec 10^th, 2009, 1:42am

IP = Ingress Protection.

Basically, it means that you should choose a fitting (light) which is designed such that it does not allow the ingress of moisture, splashes, etc.

In your particular instance, it means that whatever light fitting you choose should be water & weather tight.

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by CWatters on Dec 10^th, 2009, 8:01am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code

Beware that some fittings are optimistically rated. For outdoor use go as high as you can find. eg IP68 if possible.

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by sparky415 on Dec 11^th, 2009, 7:12pm

I can get my hands on a couple of these if they are any use to you?
I also have a second hand Union Jack somewhere if you are interested

http://poshpatio.co.uk/latest_detail.asp?prod_id=512&id=&grpid=512&msg=&offset=108

They are flood lights so the spread of light might be too
wide for you :-/

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by The_Trician on Dec 12^th, 2009, 8:31pm

How much for the spots?

Drop me a PM

TT

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by sparky415 on Dec 13^th, 2009, 11:14am

PM sent

Title: Re: Lighting up my flag question
Post by sparxxxx on Dec 14^th, 2009, 5:42pm

The ops name "buckstom", I wonder is there a connection with "buckingham Palace", you'd think she had people to sort out any flagpole lighting problems.