lighthouse electrical question

[pudgybear]

we have a well head that comes up in the front yard and we put a lighthouse over it to hide it, i believe that the well is 220 v, now my question is can i run my wires off the well head power if i put in a transformer or would it be better to run a whole new separate 110v line?

 

[Smiliesafari]

I pulled power from one of the 110 legs at my pump for a light in a small storage shed. It worked fine.

 

[madosta]

It it's a 4 wire circuit you could probably add a small sub-panel or use a 240v light.

 

[Speedy Petey]

I pulled power from one of the 110 legs at my pump for a light in a small storage shed. It worked fine.

Wow!
Yeah it works, but it is NOT fine and IS dangerous.
You are using the ground as a return neutral, which means everything exposed metal is carrying current. Any compromise in the equipment ground will make all exposed parts live with voltage.

 

[Speedy Petey]

we have a well head that comes up in the front yard and we put a lighthouse over it to hide it, i believe that the well is 220 v, now my question is can i run my wires off the well head power if i put in a transformer or would it be better to run a whole new separate 110v line?

Your only solution is to run a new line. There is a near zero chance a neutral was run to your 240V well, so you DO NOT have 120V available for a light.
A 240V light is an option, but also not legal in a residence.

 

[pudgybear]

Thanks "speedy petey" after all the responses and me thinking it over i think the best idea is to run a new line, safer to!!!!
thanks pete

 

[eljefino]

Yeah and don't monkey with your drinking water! That wire down into that hole is expensive to fix. Any plumber/ electrician will blame you or each other if there's ever a problem.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I use to work on well pumps. As Speedy has pointed out, you CANNOT hookup a light to the pump wiring.

I will add to this- a well pump has a controller and if u add an additional load to that controlled circuit, you could screw up the controller and then be out of water. Is it really worth the risk of being out of water? Just run another line out to the pump house for a light bulb!

 

[G_P]

Wouldn't the light only turn on when the pump is running? Would look odd to have a light in your yard that turns on randomly for a few minutes then goes off again!

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[nehog]

Wouldn't the light only turn on when the pump is running? Would look odd to have a light in your yard that turns on randomly for a few minutes then goes off again!

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I was thinking the same thing too! He'd have this really cool flashing light in the yard spending all its time signaling the aliens in their UFOs that you want to talk...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

LoL!

 

[sickjuice]

Chances are your motor starter is in your house and there is only power on that line when your water system calls for water. Not that you have a proper neuch out there anyways

 

[Bib Overalls]

Get one of those 12 volt rotating white strobe lights they put on emergency response vehicles. Your neighbors will love you and their is a chance someone will land an airplane on your driveway. Now that would be interesting.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

two identical matched 120v bulbs in series.

Charles

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

A guy down the street from me installed a lighthouse decoration that came equipped with a solar cell/battery/LED combination that flashes at night; LED is pretty darn bright and he's had it going for about a year with no maintenance.

 

[kbs2244]

I vote for the solar solution.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

two identical matched 120v bulbs in series.

Charles

And they would only work when the pump is on. Kinda silly....

 

[eljefino]

Do you want a lighthouse without any pesky wiring? Go big or go home:

http://englishrussia.com/2009/01/06/abandoned-russian-polar-nuclear-lighthouses/