Nights are drawing in - any recommendations for on-site lighting

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

I'm looking to get some 110v lighting. Our timber frame is going up quickly and soon (in addition to the days getting shorter), the build team will benefit from lighting inside the frame - especially once the roof and upstairs floor boarding goes on. I'm looking to buy some (rather than leave it to the team to provide their own) as I know I'll need it for ourselves anyway.

 

I've come across quite a few different types and one of the versions I wasn't aware of until just searching were the daisy-chained LED bulbs, which I thought could be rather useful especially once internal walls are covered.

 

Here are screenshots of the examples I'm coming across (just examples, I've not gone through the specifics yet - just wanted views on what type/style/power rating people have found good or bad). Image of our site to give an idea of how shaded we are - hence this will really start to make an impact.

 

IMG_5224.JPG IMG_5151.JPG

[Nickfromwales]

The 2x 10w tripod dual lights are crap. Bought a few for a job, just useless as you need to point them at what they are supposed to light. 
 

The festoon strings are much better, with 10w LED ES (not GLS as if you so much as sneeze they blow) and I fit a 110v trailing socket to the end of each one so you can plug the next string into the end of the first one, up to 4 strings is fine. Reduces the number of 110v outlets / spiders / extension leads needed.

 

I buy the Defender ones from SFx. The only time you’ll need spare lamps is in the event of physical damage. 

 

Have 1x tranny dedicated to lights, and another for tools (if necessary).

 

I made a bench and littered it with 7 or 8 230v 13a 2G sockets (over 3x RCBO’s in a temp CU) and they’re all used atm; a sea of different battery charges are now living there.

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

2 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

I fit a 110v trailing socket to the end of each one so you can plug the next string into the end of the first one, up to 4 strings is fine.

 

Thanks for the advice @Nickfromwales. Can you explain about fitting the trailing socket - I can't see or find any details about what the end fixing is on the Defencer lights (here - https://www.screwfix.com/p/defender-22m-led-festoon-lighting-chain-10w-8000lm-110v/4693T?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22605815174&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPzAOvlf0h99fWKcI5vmuavk_&gclid=CjwKCAiAlMHIBhAcEiwAZhZBUq7WHfNLT9emuDmtdSAF-7MrzRbsVmZfgfMe9Fbjf8cNGA6BSrjFxRoCjDcQAvD_BwE)

 

Is it as simple as wiring a 110V socket onto the end of the festoon trail? (couldn't find out much about the end of the festoon lighting).

 

[Nickfromwales]

29 minutes ago, Great_scot_selfbuild said:

 

Thanks for the advice @Nickfromwales. Can you explain about fitting the trailing socket - I can't see or find any details about what the end fixing is on the Defencer lights (here - https://www.screwfix.com/p/defender-22m-led-festoon-lighting-chain-10w-8000lm-110v/4693T?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22605815174&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPzAOvlf0h99fWKcI5vmuavk_&gclid=CjwKCAiAlMHIBhAcEiwAZhZBUq7WHfNLT9emuDmtdSAF-7MrzRbsVmZfgfMe9Fbjf8cNGA6BSrjFxRoCjDcQAvD_BwE)

 

Is it as simple as wiring a 110V socket onto the end of the festoon trail? (couldn't find out much about the end of the festoon lighting).

 

Yup. There’s a blanking grommet on the end of the trailing tail, after the last light. 
 

Chop that off and make it off into a trailing socket 

 

[Kelvin]

I’ve got both the festoon lights and the tripod lights. The festoon lights are definitely better as you hang them above you so don’t  create shadows over the bit you’re working on. You’re forever moving the tripod lights around the work area to avoid creating shadows. However the tripod lights are more portable so I used them more outside or if I had to do stuff in the workshop before the lighting went on. 

[Nickfromwales]

20 minutes ago, Kelvin said:

I’ve got both the festoon lights and the tripod lights. The festoon lights are definitely better as you hang them above you so don’t  create shadows over the bit you’re working on. You’re forever moving the tripod lights around the work area to avoid creating shadows. However the tripod lights are more portable so I used them more outside or if I had to do stuff in the workshop before the lighting went on. 

On new builds we usually set up a load of festoon, going in and out of doorways NOT through studs, and flood the place with light throughout.

 

Lost count of how many times I’ve returned after chippy’s and boarders have begun, and they’ve built over the festoon….. 

 

Would be different if they fecking paid for them I’m sure. 

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

Buildhub for the win again!

 

Thank you @Nickfromwales & @Kelvin

[SteamyTea]

I was going to suggest gaslighting, but can't be bothered to convince you are all wrong.

[Conor]

I got two lines of festoon lights. Brilliant. Worth the 30mins or so to screw in to the walls /ceilings. I've still got one setup on the underside of our balcony before I put in"proper" lighting. half tempted to hide the wires and leave them there instead of spending £200 on LED spots etc. I didn't bother with 110w, just 240v, perfectly safe if you've a properly installed board.

Edited Sunday at 18:10 by Conor

[Nickfromwales]

18 hours ago, Conor said:

I got two lines of festoon lights. Brilliant. Worth the 30mins or so to screw in to the walls /ceilings. I've still got one setup on the underside of our balcony before I put in"proper" lighting. half tempted to hide the wires and leave them there instead of spending £200 on LED spots etc. I didn't bother with 110w, just 240v, perfectly safe if you've a properly installed board.

HSE wouldn’t agree lol. 55v across for 110v supply, so a big jump to 230v and 🪦