Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

I bought some wall lights at work because the colour was being discontinued and they were going really cheap. The wisdom being that they could help freshen up the room a bit for not alot of money.

As usual, nothing goes smoothly in my world.

Basically the ones already up have a pull cord on them to turn them on and off, and I stupidly assumed the new ones would be the same, being a straight swap, but oh no. These new ones have no switch at all. The instructions are quite unclear, but it now looks like I would need an electrician to do the job, totally defeating the object.

Does anyone know if I'd be able to somehow use the cord from the existing lights (not sure about this)?

If it helps, we have a switch either side of the room that operates the main light, would there be a way to make one work the main light and one work the wall lights? Would that be an electrician job, or could anyone do that?

I don't really want to start messing big style with the wiring/walls to fit these as, as I've said this was supposed to just be a cheap change of lights.

Why does nothing run smoothly in my life.

DCI Gene Hunt

Chin up...

The switch on either side of the room - is it a single switch or double?

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Single on each side.

DCI Gene Hunt

The only thing worth checking is if there is 2 sets of cables behind the switch faceplate, i.e. a redundant set for a second switch (the wall lights). If there is you can easily swap the single switch for a double. If not it would be cheaper to buy new lights with pulls cords than get a sparky in, unless you know one?

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

I'll get Micky to check that, with my luck I'll electrocute myself.

Don't know a sparky. Well we did, but we're not really mates anymore.

This is what I get for trying to get a cheap fix.

DCI Gene Hunt

Take them back for a refund, just say you thought they had pull cords

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

I'd make more money selling them than taking them back.

Jamie

Lisa that microwave you have has a catch using a standard kitchen knife jam it in said catch then stick your head in put full power on.All Electrical problems will disappear

vindaloo

1/ If the cord/switch is integrated into the existing fitting(s), then I'd say not.

2/ If you have to ask, it's an electrician or knowledgable person job.

J.

DCI Gene Hunt

Seems to have done the trick with you

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Couple of hours work for a spark. £40-50 I'd expect.

Assuming you live in a house with easy access to wiring etc...

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Surely if this was the case then the wall lights wouldn't be working now, unless you're thinking of finding connector blocks behind there?

DCI Gene Hunt

That was my thought, they're either joined or all wired into the single gang switch or most likely not there.... but it's worth a quick look.

MMT WRX

And if there isn't, won't the wall need chopping out to run new cables (unless they're in conduit) and a new double switch to buy.
Sell them on and buy some with pull cords.

Jamie

DCI i do not have a microwave

pslewis

The power to the existing wall lights must be live at all times (unless the wall switch needs to be switched on, and then the pull cords operated - which would be a bit pointless) ... so, I would not suggest pulling the old lights away unless you know what you are doing!

However, if you need to switch the wall switch and only then will the pull cords operate the light then you can fix the new ones and use the wall switch to operate them (with no independant switch to each).

If that makes sense?

what would scooby do

Instead of a pull cord all you need to do is leave the bulbs not fully tightened in their sockets. When you want to turn the lights on simply turn the bulb clockwise, and anticlockwise to turn them off.

Also keep an oven glove next to each light as the bulbs may be hot when you come to turn them off.

speedking

... or leave the lights on permanently and put a tin bucket over them when you want to reduce the light level in the room

Coffin Dodger

Unusual method to fix a electrical problem such as this but you never know it might just work

Coffin Dodger

You could buy some pull switches, drill a suitable hole somewhere in your new lights to fit them, and wire them into the live feed. Simple enough if you know what you're doing.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LY2242.html

Jamie

Oh **** did she do it

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

Upstairs/ downstairs? stud walls or block? from the light you will need to run a switched live down to the existing switch and replace the one gang switch with a 2 gang. As long as you have your part p you are good to go.

Jamie

That is westham talk

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Now there is a thought.

I don't have a fecking clue, but that may not cost as much electrician time as rewiring.

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

That gave me an idea. I don't really like the main light on at all as it's too bright. So instead of messing with the wall light bulbs, I could just loosen all those bulbs instead.

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Mus be live all of the time Pete. The wall switch doesn't need to be used at all, just the pull cord.

Downstairs, in the living room. No idea about the type of wall That would be an electrician job too as I wouldn't know where to start with stuff like this.

I might start learning trades in my spare time, then I'll be able to do all this stuff myself.

DCI Gene Hunt

This sounds like a job for Micky - get him a cold beer from the fridge so he can sit back and start planning what power tools he'll need

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

He's managed sockets and switches, don't think his skills stretch quite this far.

This is what I get for being cheap.