Adding small lights to stairs
#1
Adding small lights to stairs
I'd like to install some kind of light on our steps going down to the basement so that we don't miss a step as we have done already twice. The steps are open in the basement so dropping wires down isn't a problem. In mind are either small round lights or lights of the kind in a theater which would run along the end of each step. The light switch at the top of the hallway turns on not only the stairwell light but also the lights in the finished room downstairs which is not closed off from the steps and in which somebody lives. To turn on a light means waking them up. Walling off that room from the stairs is another project. How can we do this?
#2
In mind are either small round lights or lights of the kind in a theater which would run along the end of each step.
> How can we do this?
Tap into some general purpose circuit that has unswitched power available and extend the circuit to the lights.
#3
Originally Posted by bolide
And stay on all the time?
> How can we do this?
Tap into some general purpose circuit that has unswitched power available and extend the circuit to the lights.
> How can we do this?
Tap into some general purpose circuit that has unswitched power available and extend the circuit to the lights.
#4
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I'm no electrician and won't even try to give electrical advice, but it seems to me you're looking for an easy, temporary fix. If you have a receptacle near the top of the stairs, you can buy rope lighting, which is inexpensive and resembles theater lighting, and tack that to your stairs on one side...assuming they're wood, not carpet. You can plug them in when you want to use them, or buy one of those short extension cords with a switch already in it, plug that into the receptacle, put the switch somewhere you can reach easily, and plug the rope lighting into that.
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You should decide on what you want first. Try searching "step lighting" and see what you like. I personally like the louvered wall inserts for step lighting. We can then discuss how to install them.
#6
Originally Posted by KenC
I'm no electrician and won't even try to give electrical advice, but it seems to me you're looking for an easy, temporary fix. If you have a receptacle near the top of the stairs, you can buy rope lighting, which is inexpensive and resembles theater lighting, and tack that to your stairs on one side...assuming they're wood, not carpet. You can plug them in when you want to use them, or buy one of those short extension cords with a switch already in it, plug that into the receptacle, put the switch somewhere you can reach easily, and plug the rope lighting into that.
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bolide, do you normally advise just tapping circuits without regard to the existing load and to the new load. do we just add on to circuits and keep tapping off until the breaker trips. why make panels with 42 breaker spaces if we can just keep tapping off existing circuits.
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Now that I understand what you are looking for, I would check out built in LED nightlights. Such as, TradeMaster ® Decorator Hallway Lights
They have a solar cell that turns them on in the dark and provide energy efficient lighting for these types of applications.
They have a solar cell that turns them on in the dark and provide energy efficient lighting for these types of applications.
#9
digression to address the recent ad hominem attack
Originally Posted by tach
do you normally advise just tapping circuits without regard to the existing load and to the new load.
I did not write:
Tap into some general purpose circuit that has unswitched power and extend the circuit to the lights.
I did write:
Tap into some general purpose circuit that has unswitched power available and extend the circuit to the lights.
If there is not excess capacity sufficient to meet the additional load, then the required additional power is not available from that circuit. Of course, you already know this.
If your concern was simply that the person do a load calculation, then you would have addressed your remarks to the original poster.
It is common that each person contributes a piece of the answer.
There is no rule that every response has to cover all the bases.
Or if there is such a rule, it is your rule. But you should not to try force others to follow it.
Instead of offering helpful advice to the original poster, you made an ad hominem attack on me.
You didn't attack any facts about what I wrote.
You attacked me personally insinuating that I always give questionable advice. You even went so far as to use the word "always" - a clear sign that you were being abusive and trying to start an argument.
You have zero examples to back up your attack - and even if you did, does that justify attacking me?
Neither on this board nor in real life do I ever recommend just tapping some existing circuit. I am far more likely to flat out recommend a new circuit or additional circuits beyond the minimum, or circuits to keep more things separate (like stairway lights, or lights in general from outlets in the same general living space). I never recommend carelessly loading up existing circuits.
So why would you have suggested such a thing? It is possible that you misread my post. I miss a lot of things too in posts.
But if that were the case, why would you attack me? If you thought that information was missing or overlooked, you would have simply added it - unless of course you normally make your "contributions" into personal attacks.
What I suspect happened is that this is sour grapes. I have confronted the misinformation and errors and your other posts by presenting the facts.
I made no attacks on you personally.
I questioned the questionable information that you posted - but never once said a bad word about you or your lack of knowledge. Nor did I insinuate that you always give bad advice.
Nonetheless, to get even with me for pointing out all your errors, you decided to point out something that you thought that I had overlooked by launching a tirade against me about 42 breakers in a box. What you said was completely off topic. A careful reading of my post shows that I did not give the advice that you claimed that I had. Was this your best shot? Can we expect more of this antisocial behavior from you?
If you have a problem what the advice that I give, you can always post your own views. As for me, I'll continue to confront your misinformation with the facts.
Last edited by bolide; 02-09-06 at 12:13 AM.
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Ozmee,
As I mentioned, I'm no electrician, but I do most of my own work and know a little about it. I can tell you that what you have in mind isn't difficult for a qualified electrician and won't cost an arm and a leg. If there is already sufficient power available to the current switch, it would be simple to add a second switch to the same location, with each controlling one of the lights. That would only take a few minutes, but that wouldn't be a good permanent solution. Once you fully enclose the room in the basement, I'm sure you'll want the switch inside the room. Still a relatively easy job as far as making the connections but would require some wiring and possibly made a little more difficult if the basement is finished, particulary the ceiling and the outside walls of the bedroom....are they still unfinished with access to the studs and wiring already in place? If so, piece of cake. The best thing to do is call a local electrician once Uncle Sam repays you, and tell him what you want. He'll be able to ask the right questions and should be able to give you an idea of what you're looking at for your area. Good luck.
As I mentioned, I'm no electrician, but I do most of my own work and know a little about it. I can tell you that what you have in mind isn't difficult for a qualified electrician and won't cost an arm and a leg. If there is already sufficient power available to the current switch, it would be simple to add a second switch to the same location, with each controlling one of the lights. That would only take a few minutes, but that wouldn't be a good permanent solution. Once you fully enclose the room in the basement, I'm sure you'll want the switch inside the room. Still a relatively easy job as far as making the connections but would require some wiring and possibly made a little more difficult if the basement is finished, particulary the ceiling and the outside walls of the bedroom....are they still unfinished with access to the studs and wiring already in place? If so, piece of cake. The best thing to do is call a local electrician once Uncle Sam repays you, and tell him what you want. He'll be able to ask the right questions and should be able to give you an idea of what you're looking at for your area. Good luck.
#11
Originally Posted by chris8796
Now that I understand what you are looking for, I would check out built in LED nightlights. Such as, TradeMaster ® Decorator Hallway Lights
They have a solar cell that turns them on in the dark and provide energy efficient lighting for these types of applications.
They have a solar cell that turns them on in the dark and provide energy efficient lighting for these types of applications.
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i did not fly off the handle. i asked a question. if you think that was flying off the handle maybe forum responses are not your strong suit. you dont have to keep me nameless in some peanut gallery, everyone can see my post and my username and can even send me a pm.