How to Modify Grow Lights from old Bathroom Lights

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AceBug Ottawa, KS(Zone 6a) Jan 09, 2017

For $3 each! I purchased 2: 3' long, old brass light fixtures for bathrooms-each holds 6 bulbs, 25 max watt each socket. I plan to use LED and CFL bulbs in them so I should remain under the wattage recommended. I may even add some Y sockets to increase my lighting. I took a look at the wiring. There are 2 wires per fixture to use for wiring cord onto. The wiring has 1 black and 1 white, the wire itself is not copper.

So is it an issue to use these old fixtures, or that the wire is not copper and should I be connecting the wire to a grounded plug or does that not matter? It will be plugged into a protected grounded outlet strip. Also does the type of current matter? I recall it says AC only on the fixture. Also is it a problem if I live in an old home that doesn't have the best electrical system, is this an issue for these lights?

I have never done anything like this before, but I feel confident I can do so myself safely with some advice from knowledgeable persons and my research. It is time I get these lights rigged up and ready to use, super excited!

Thank you for any advice or questions.

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kittriana Magnolia, TX(Zone 9a) Jan 13, 2017

So, (power +) is any color but black. Black is ground. Copper is able to conduct power with less heat by product, however, power - like fire, eats EVERYTHING. so long term use degrades all metals. Watts is your power, the engine so to speak. Amps are the current, or the gears, so to speak. The sockets that are paper also degrade over time- which is why lamps that are used for heating require ceramic sockets- less apt to catch fire.
You should be able to do this if you dont have a lot of cords from the same socket. Heat from the electric cords will be an indication of trouble. AC power means no batteries. AC is house electricity. The aluminum wire is standard fixture wiring. You are using a lo grade power strip( hi grade circuit protectors are as big as a house) again, if too many lights pull too much amperage, you will get heat... good luck

This message was edited Jan 13, 2017 1:09 PM

Post #10274851
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AceBug Ottawa, KS(Zone 6a) Jan 13, 2017

Quote from kittriana :
So, (power +) is any color but black. Black is ground. Copper is able to conduct power with less heat by product, however, power - like fire, eats EVERYTHING. so long term use degrades all metals. Watts is your power, the engine so to speak. Amps are the current, or the gears, so to speak. The sockets that are paper also degrade over time- which is why lamps that are used for heating require ceramic sockets- less apt to catch fire.
You should be able to do this if you dont have a lot of cords from the same socket. Heat from the electric cords will be an indication of trouble. AC power means no batteries. AC is house electricity. The aluminum wire is standard fixture wiring. You are using a lo grade power strip( hi grade circuit protectors are as big as a house) again, if too many lights pull too much amperage, you will get heat... good luck

This message was edited Jan 13, 2017 1:09 PM

Thank you kittriana for your valuable knowledge!

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kittriana Magnolia, TX(Zone 9a) Jan 14, 2017

There is something I have forgotten to add....oh! Black and white are used as ground wires if you dont have a black wire. If you do have a black wire, then white can be used as a power wire. Not sure how much electricity cost you wil incur with this setup, even flourescent lights lose their plant goodness even while still creating light, shrug, the plants can notice it, we usually dont, chuckl. Have fun!

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