Miscellaneous DIY Projects (or bits of jobs)

[Big Kev]

That was my reaction when I changed the lights in the kitchen and shed from fluorescent to LED Kev. Single units instead of double but twice the light. My Sparks told me they are non-serviceable but he said that was no problem as he had never seen one fail. One of the great promises perhaps but so far so good. Brilliant light and instantaneous.

5 year warranty with the Samsung unit I have, if it fails after that I'll be satisfied that the £25 I paid for it was well spent. I'm sure I'd have saved that in the reduced power consumption. Whole house is LED now.

[Stanley]

[Tizer]

I replaced the 4ft fluorescent light in the cellar today with a 5ft LED batten. I can't believe the difference it's made, much brighter.

What does it entail? Is it something LED that simply fits in the old fluorescent casing or a complete new unit? If the latter and I replaced my garage fluor light fitting is it just a matter of switching off the leccy at the main box, undoing the wires into the fluor unit and connecting them to terminals on the LED unit?

[PanBiker]

They are usually a complete unit replacement Peter as the LED array has different driver requirements. I have about 95% LED lighting but don't have any fluorescent replacements, Kev will give you the run down.

[Tizer]

I've watched a video of fitting an led batten in place of the fluor tube and also see that they recommend using the same length, which will give more light due to the LED being directional.

[Big Kev]

I did add a response from my phone but it's not there...

It is a complete new unit. Power off. Remove the old fluo, screw some clips to the ceiling, push fit the cables (my unit had 18ins of flex and a push fit connector) cables up into the ceiling void and push the new unit onto the clips. Sorted.
The LED is a much more compact unit, not the best pic but I'm holding the old fluo next to it, the LED unit is much smaller.

20201012_120733.jpg

[Stanley]

Peter, my first venture into LED light in the shed was the dead simple route of getting a replacement LED tube, taking the old one out and removing the ballast switch from the batten, then just switch on. Cheap and cheerful and it works but the tubes are relatively expensive. The latest version is like Kev's, a complete replacement of the old batten with a sealed LED unit, non serviceable but my Sparks assures me they have a very long life. It took 5 units but of course it's a professional job as some of the wiring had to be replaced. That plus two new smoke alarms in the house was £600 and I reckon is worth it. He used top of the range units and I am confident in my lighting now. You know the state of my eyes, I found I was reading fine scales in the shed without having to use a magnifying glass. Like being let out of prison! We need all the help we can get at times and this is a good example.
Which brings me on to another question. Has anyone any experience of these new super reading lights that you see advertised with no price next to them, always a bad sign in my book! It could improve my reading experience which even with the new LED lights in the kitchen, is marginal. Any advice welcomed.

[PanBiker]

That plus two new smoke alarms in the house was £600

I take it your smoke alarms are independently mains wired?

[Tripps]

Has anyone any experience of these new super reading lights that you see advertised with no price next to them, always a bad sign in my book!

Just because they advertise in the Eye doesn't make them kosher. I checked them out a while ago, and from memory I think they are £249. Don't bother would be my view.

I use this from the famous centre aisle at Lidl. Those were the days.

P1050534.JPG

[Tizer]

Thanks for the advice on the LED battens. I'll be following it up - brighter lighting will be a big benefit, especially because I know my eyes need more light now than they did in the past. As for reading lights, we still have old-fashioned `standard lamps' but with LED bulbs.

[Tripps]

I've found an old edition, and it's a lot worse than I thought. The floor model is £399.99.

Enough to make you re- think your entire relationship with Private Eye. Is it a rip off? I think we should be told.

seriousreaders.com

[Big Kev]

This is the one I got
https://www.smart-light.co.uk/product/5 ... 150cm-5ft/
Comes with a 5 year warranty and free delivery £25

[Big Kev]

https://www.smart-light.co.uk/product/3 ... lamp-with/ a 3.6w led is the equivalent of a 35w incandescent bulb. Not sure if that's bright enough for you. Bargain at £22

[Tripps]

Can you check the link Kev?

[Big Kev]

This one?

Lamp.JPG

[Big Kev]

Or this one?

Batten.JPG

[Stanley]

I thought that would be the case David.... I shall not bother!

[Big Kev]

In Aldi today

20201015_120134.jpg

[Tripps]

That looks about right. I do miss the middle aisle at Lidl.

PS - and Aldi too.

[PanBiker]

Here we go, the desk lamp is LED the floor standing one uses an energy efficient incandescent lamp.

Aldi LED Desk Lamp

Aldi Foor Standing Energy Efficient Lamp

[Big Kev]

Here we go, the desk lamp is LED the floor standing one uses an energy efficient incandescent lamp.

Aldi LED Desk Lamp

Aldi Foor Standing Energy Efficient Lamp

The floor standing lamp has sold out online already...

[Tripps]

I never knew you could buy online from Aldi - though I've been getting wine (delivered free) for ages now. Is that new, or have I just been dozing? A whole new world opens up. . . .

Or maybe not - seems it's click and collect only for groceries etc, and the nearest branch offering the service is nearly 50 miles away.

[Stanley]

I was seriously tempted by that desk lamp but resisted. I am saving up for the next set of castings.

[Big Kev]

I never knew you could buy online from Aldi

I get a regular email update from Aldi, there are usually all sorts of things,you never knew you needed, on offer
https://www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/di ... lsrc=aw.ds

[Tripps]

I've signed up for the emails. The portable band saw however won't be on my shopping list. I fancy keeping all my fingers.