I know this looks bad but is it really ...

[workhurts]

So, while I figure out my garage lighting situation I decide to just get a Y socket splitter. While holding on to a couple of splitters it dawned on me that I could perhaps string a few of them together.

Now, I know what you are saying. Stupid. Right?

I plan on using 23W CFLs, so 4 would be less than 100W. Each of these things is rated to 660W and the original socket is rated to ???. I'm sure it's at least a 100W but that's probably more a heat related rating rather than a current carrying one.

So, with CFLs is this safe? $6 bucks gets me an equivalant of 400W (92W draw realy though). I have 2 light sockets plus garage door lights. So over 1,000 equivalent watts for next to nothing.

What say you?

 

[Steevo]

I can't see the harm at 4x23w CFL bulbs.
If you start getting crazy and going with the high-wattage CFL's, you will over heat the splitters though, and have a potential fire hazard.

Are your edison bases plastic or ceramic?
I'd feel more comfortable knowing they were the ceramic ones.

 

[Super Sport]

Interesting idea! Looking forward to hearing responses, I might give it a go in my garage until I'm able to string up some T8s.

 

[y20dth]

as long as you don't exceed the wattage of the original socket, you are ok.

 

[stratman977]

I did that in a garage I rented. It will work just find but the light doesn't spread all that well. Basically you have a really bright spot that you can't look at and then the rest of the area has a bunch of shadows. You are better off plugging a 4' cheapie tube fixture and plugging it into the socket.

 

[workhurts]

I'm at a little over 12' on the ceiling so will give it a shot. Worst case, I'll go down two just using a single splitter for now or I could go and make a chandelier out of a dozen or so

 

[ratdoggy]

I did it for 6 months. Made a big difference on the cheap. Once I put in my "real" fixtures I wished I put them in sooner.

 

[ForceFed70]

I'd be worried if you were using 100W incandescent's. But no concern with 23W CFL's.

 

[Kevin C]

I think your selling this idea way too short... If the socket is rated for a 120 watt bulb you could put sixteen, 7 watt CFL's in and still be under the current rating for the socket.

Think of what a great conversation piece it would be.

Once you get to 16 bulbs it's not hack... Its art.

Time to hit the hardware store.

I like the idea.

 

[jlckmj]

I think you would be better off putting one 105 watt CFL in the original fixture
http://www.limostudio.com/shop/inde...graphy-photo-lighting-flourescent-bulb-1.html

It would hang down less and probably get as much or more light.

Jim

 

[ringneck]

I think you would be better off putting one 105 watt CFL in the original fixture

I agree with this.

 

[Silvercbr]

I put up 10 new fixtures this past weekend. Running seven 200W equivalent, only pull 42W each, but are a nice 2600 lumens. The other three lights only run 100W equivalent CFLs. The fixtures were only $30 each at Ikea. What a difference.

 

[workhurts]

I like those 400W equiv bulbs. I just didn't see anything stronger than 100W equiv at HD.

The issue with the Ikea fixtures is that you really do need quite a few of them since you get almost zero light bouncing off the ceiling. As ugly as open CFLs are, they do light up a room when you have a nice white ceiling.

WRT playing with chords or climbing utility poles. Sounds like fun.

Now, how do I go about figuring out exactly what the original socket was rated to besides taking the thing down.

Off to find some different types of bulbs. Each splitter is aroundn $2.50, so that's $7.50 plus 3 bulbs to get 400W equiv. The single 400W equiv bulb looked to be about $10 from the previous post. Wonder what the bulb life ratings are.

 

[Coolerman]

Go to www.1000bulbs.com they carry a large array of CFL bulbs and have all the specs on them. They also have a great replacement policy. One the six 275W bulbs I ordered for my friends garage went bad after an hour of use. They replaced it no charge, and no questions asked.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

a little ghetto looking but if it works it works...

I got this from amazon last year... put two of them up and the light was been great. Given this is only a temp solution until I start wiring florcent lighting in the ceiling.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L8XC34/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21-kz1wyEqL.jpg[img]

[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/211nxy2JXlL.jpg

-Nigel

 

[manioso]

I bought a number of Feit ESL40T/ECO (42w/200w equivalent) and have used them singly in my basement workshop very successfully. Lamps Plus had them on sale for less than $5 each, although they are usually about $10.

You might try using two of them in a single WYE adapter to get 400w equivalent.

 

[68rustang]

I bought a number of Feit ESL40T/ECO (42w/200w equivalent) and have used them singly in my basement workshop very successfully. Lamps Plus had them on sale for less than $5 each, although they are usually about $10.

You might try using two of them in a single WYE adapter to get 400w equivalent.

You can also get them from HomeDepot.com for $8/ea shipped if you buy a case of 12.

 

[dave*99]

I think you would be better off putting one 105 watt CFL in the original fixture
http://www.limostudio.com/shop/inde...graphy-photo-lighting-flourescent-bulb-1.html

It would hang down less and probably get as much or more light.

Jim

I have 8 of the 105W units. I think mine are 5000K color temperature. They work great with my white ceiling. Got them at 1000bulbs.