Festoon lights - waterproof extension cable?

Zudecke · Post by **Zudecke** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 8:59 pm

Hi,

We run some festoon lights around our garden and today finally installed a waterproof outdoor socket for them to connect to. Next problem is that the lead is no longer long enough to reach the new socket.

Luckily there's a 2-pin extension lead from the end of the lights into a mains cable lead, which I thought I would easily be able to find a longer replacement for on Amazon or the like, but not having much luck.

Does anyone know if I can find a waterproof 2 pin to mains 3pin lead in a longer length?

Ideally 2 metres?

Many thanks

Z

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:24 pm

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Zudecke · Post by **Zudecke** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:26 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:24 pm That looks like one of them "Buy these lights and when one lamp fails buy a whole new set" type of thing.

It would be easier to move the socket.

Oh god, I was hoping you wouldn't say that....!

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:29 pm

That looks like one of them "Buy these lights and when one lamp fails buy a whole new set" type of thing.

It would be easier to move the socket.

But that said

Do these lights have a large "Lump" before the lights start?

There are several leads out there, but I wouldn't put mains through them.

Picture of your lights?

(I had some, looked nice at first, didn't last long, I changed to mains lamps)

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:03 pm

I suspect those aren’t 230 volt lights so connecting them directly to a socket is likely to result in a loud bang

Zudecke · Post by **Zudecke** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:50 am

Neelix wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:03 pm I suspect those aren’t 230 volt lights so connecting them directly to a socket is likely to result in a loud bang

Sorry if I misread, but the lights do currently work fine and have done for 3 months at least since we inherited them.

There's no power pack anywhere.

Will post some more photos when I'm up later

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 5:22 am

Zudecke wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:50 amThere's no power pack anywhere.

That would depend on what you are looking for.

As I said, I had a set of LED festoon lights that ran from the mains, there was a capacative dropper* just before the lights.

If your lights have "shades/lenses/coverings" (call it as you will) can you take one off and take a picture.

* A capacative dropper (That is its technical name) changes mains to what ever voltage /current that is required, but they are very small and in the case of the lights I had, it was just a "lump" on the cable, unless you looked for it you could miss it.

Oh, please take several pictures and post the in focus ones.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:52 am

Zudecke wrote: ↑Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:50 amWill post some more photos when I'm up later

Is it later yet?

Zudecke · Post by **Zudecke** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 8:51 am

Hi guys

Our waterproof double socket and waterproof larger socket housing are both installed and the wiring to the double socket is working great.

In order to start using the bigger waterproof housing box, can I run any extension cable from the double socket to the jaeger unit?

Thanks!

Z

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:23 am

Zudecke wrote: ↑Sat Jun 26, 2021 8:51 amcan I run any extension cable from the double socket to the jaeger unit?

What is one of them?

Answer is probably only when you want to use it, since most leads are not meant to be left outside 24/7

Zudecke · Post by **Zudecke** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:33 am

Really? Oh damn, not very convenient!

So might a solution to run it inside conduit?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 11:38 am

You still have not said what a jaeger unit is.

Yes conduit or SWA it is. The reason being as I said that most cables are not meant to be left outside 24/7 as they will breakdown and cause problems. If you are going to use conduit it must be black as white conduit will also breakdown if used outside.