[agapanthus]

Can anyone recommend a type of lighting to put in my greenhouse? Obviously it would have to be some sort of system that would'nt get wet! I love pottering at nightime and it's a bit of a * when you can't see what you're doing!!!!!

[GrannieAnnie]

What about those solar powered shed lights Aggy??  You cold move them from greenhouse to polytunnel then!

[agapanthus]

What about those solar powered shed lights Aggy??  You cold move them from greenhouse to polytunnel then!

Wanted something more permanent Annie

[John]

I've just got a 6' fluorescent strip light fixed to the roof in mine - dirt cheap if you buy the fittings from a trade place. It connects to the plug via a 3amp fuse.

Mind you, if we sell it's coming out as there's no way it would meet safety standards. Shocking!

Not sure about water - does your roof leak?

[GrannieAnnie]

In that case, what about one of the outdoor lights that are waterproof, and the thicker cable they use for outside lighting if you want it more permenent.  Then perhaps the light could hang from the bottom of the finial you ha in your greenhouse.

Is there electric in Karl's shed, or is it just in yours?  The one we have across the garden to the big henhouse is a thick grey one, I'll ask Brian the proper name!  I don't want to say the wrong thing!!!! lol

[John]

I think it's called pyro - it's an armoured cable. Difficult to work with but legal and safe for outdoors. Once indoors it goes into a box with a waterproof grommet and from there you wire up your system

I'd say if you are taking mains power to a greenhouse, then put some outdoor waterproof plug sockets in at the same time. Useful for propagators etc.

Another option would be to use 12v systems where you transform the power and 12v lines (as long as not too long because of resistance issues) are safe even if they short out.

You could also run some 12v lights off a car battery which you would need to charge up, of course.

[donald.cape]

Hiya,
Your right John about pyro but you must be the same age as me, pyro was the name of the first cable of this type to be made and the name stuck. The proper name is mineral insulated copper covered cable, or MICC for short. It is the best but the ends need to be terminated using special glands and tools and it really a job for a tradesman electrician (if you can find one who has used it before).

Steel wire armoured pvc covered cable is also suitable for an underground supply and the glands can be fitted without specialised tools. I would take a 2.5 sq mm cable into a 30 amp two way splash resistant distribution board with an RCD main switch and one 5amp RCD for the light(s) and a 15 amp RCD to feed a double switch socket. The  switches and sockets should be IP66 rated as should the light fitting and distribution board. I would suggest bulkhead lights with enegry saving lamps or weatherproof flourescent fittings to IP66 rating.
I would suggest the wiring system inside the greenhouse is PVC conduit and singles cable.

Work of this type is covered by the dreaded part P of the Building Regulations, this means it should be reported to the Local Building Works Authority.

Please don't take any chances with outside electricity supplies, get it done right by someone who is competent.

Sorry to be a party pooper.

[John]

Thanks Donald for the professional advice. My Dad was an electrical engineer way back when so I used to just ask him for help - hence my terminology being a bit out of date.

[noshed]

What about one of those head torches?

[Celtic Eagle]

A good quality caping light maybe it's cheap and can be move dif you need to

[John]

What about one of those head torches?

Then, holding a sink plunger, you can go around the garden looking for slugs and crying "EXTERMINATE!"

Sorry, I'll get me coat  :oops:

[agapanthus]

Hiya,
Your right John about pyro but you must be the same age as me, pyro was the name of the first cable of this type to be made and the name stuck. The proper name is mineral insulated copper covered cable, or MICC for short. It is the best but the ends need to be terminated using special glands and tools and it really a job for a tradesman electrician (if you can find one who has used it before).

Steel wire armoured pvc covered cable is also suitable for an underground supply and the glands can be fitted without specialised tools. I would take a 2.5 sq mm cable into a 30 amp two way splash resistant distribution board with an RCD main switch and one 5amp RCD for the light(s) and a 15 amp RCD to feed a double switch socket. The  switches and sockets should be IP66 rated as should the light fitting and distribution board. I would suggest bulkhead lights with enegry saving lamps or weatherproof flourescent fittings to IP66 rating.
I would suggest the wiring system inside the greenhouse is PVC conduit and singles cable.

Work of this type is covered by the dreaded part P of the Building Regulations, this means it should be reported to the Local Building Works Authority.

Please don't take any chances with outside electricity supplies, get it done right by someone who is competent.

Sorry to be a party pooper.

We have a friend is an electrical engineer....worked for the RN....might get him to do it for us!
Thanks for the info!