New light system for hallway and stairs?
- Thread starter bernardxdro
- Start date
pete_c
Guru
Originally started with using EL enabled outlet covers in the 1990's all over the old house.
Google electroluminescent wall plates and you will see the designs / patents.
This was what started me on endeavour. These were all 120VAC and didn't utilize inverters.
They used wires from the covers to the switch / outlet. Draw is supposed to be less than 35 mA per plate.
Sometime in the early 2000's found larger 120VAC plates, innocuous looking inches X inches and mounted them on the hallway outlets running wires to outlet and covered wire section with cover plate. You do not noticed them unless it is dark.
I googled the larger EL plates and they are still sold today but some $200 plus each one which personally is really expensive. I paid way less for these in the early 2000's.
Did find a more modern EL lamp incorporated in to the outlet.
The 120VAC connectivity is wires. Maybe because I am old fashioned and just do not like it or concerned maybe with arcing.
Personally feel that using wires is safer than this methodology of 120VAC for the LED lamps above.
That said they also have the mechanisms patented.
Google electroluminescent wall plates and you will see the designs / patents.
This was what started me on endeavour. These were all 120VAC and didn't utilize inverters.
They used wires from the covers to the switch / outlet. Draw is supposed to be less than 35 mA per plate.
Sometime in the early 2000's found larger 120VAC plates, innocuous looking inches X inches and mounted them on the hallway outlets running wires to outlet and covered wire section with cover plate. You do not noticed them unless it is dark.
I googled the larger EL plates and they are still sold today but some $200 plus each one which personally is really expensive. I paid way less for these in the early 2000's.
Did find a more modern EL lamp incorporated in to the outlet.
The 120VAC connectivity is wires. Maybe because I am old fashioned and just do not like it or concerned maybe with arcing.
Personally feel that using wires is safer than this methodology of 120VAC for the LED lamps above.
That said they also have the mechanisms patented.
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
I put two of these units in at my last house in the hallway. The light turned off in the daytime.
I agree with Pete. That outlet cover with the 'power prongs' scares me a bit. I'm imagining the prongs intermittently making contact and possibly arcing over time.
I agree with Pete. That outlet cover with the 'power prongs' scares me a bit. I'm imagining the prongs intermittently making contact and possibly arcing over time.
Bzncrewjr
Active Member
pete_c said:
Pete, your EL wire implementation is on outlets? Here I had visions of lighted ceilings or something. Then there is the WAF that EL wire is low on.
I really like EL wire. It is flexible and so easy to work with. All my implementation were power bricks to inverters to the EL wire. I never thought about using the native AC power. Seems dangerous if you don't do it right.
I'm thinking of using EL wire under cabinets for night lighting. It's dim enough to not be annoying and provides a little light at night.
These outlets have built in nightlights and don't sacrifice an outlet.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IOXCXOQ/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1/182-4154454-1502313?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=05R7JM5BPKMTST7303AA&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_i=B00IOXCYEK
--Russ
pete_c
Guru
your EL wire implementation is on outlets?
No it is not EL wire on the outlets rather it uses EL plates (of a dim light).
The obi wan electrician put outlets in every hallway in the house.
I really like EL wire. It is flexible and so easy to work with. All my implementation were power bricks to inverters to the EL wire. I never thought about using the native AC power. Seems dangerous if you don't do it right.
Guessing the EL lamp in the outlet above is using 120VAC and doesn't convert the power to 12VDC and then back up to whatever using a tiny inverter. Mine are going stilll after 20 years or so. A 12VDC to EL inverter uses HV AC output to drive the EL lamp.
I tried using EL wire and inverters (all cheapo stuff) for some Christmas decorations two years ago. Didn't work outside and inside. It was whatever I could find cheap in a short time.
Relating to signage I prefer the use of EL/CCFL over LED.
That is me though.
I did a test CCFL tube white light illumination of my utility room a few years back. It is running via 12VDC and an inverter.
It has been on now 24/7 for over 3 years and is still working just fine. It was a test of sorts.
I did the same using first generation 120VAC LED puck lighting in the garage. Its been fine now for over 3 years too on 24/7.
The hallway EL is just a glow and enough light to illuminate the hallways just right. (for me).
No it is not EL wire on the outlets rather it uses EL plates (of a dim light).
The obi wan electrician put outlets in every hallway in the house.
I really like EL wire. It is flexible and so easy to work with. All my implementation were power bricks to inverters to the EL wire. I never thought about using the native AC power. Seems dangerous if you don't do it right.
Guessing the EL lamp in the outlet above is using 120VAC and doesn't convert the power to 12VDC and then back up to whatever using a tiny inverter. Mine are going stilll after 20 years or so. A 12VDC to EL inverter uses HV AC output to drive the EL lamp.
I tried using EL wire and inverters (all cheapo stuff) for some Christmas decorations two years ago. Didn't work outside and inside. It was whatever I could find cheap in a short time.
Relating to signage I prefer the use of EL/CCFL over LED.
That is me though.
I did a test CCFL tube white light illumination of my utility room a few years back. It is running via 12VDC and an inverter.
It has been on now 24/7 for over 3 years and is still working just fine. It was a test of sorts.
I did the same using first generation 120VAC LED puck lighting in the garage. Its been fine now for over 3 years too on 24/7.
The hallway EL is just a glow and enough light to illuminate the hallways just right. (for me).
tmbrown97
Senior Member
I'm pretty sure this is the model I used here - http://www.smarthome.com/leviton-t6525-w-combination-decora-tamper-resistant-receptacle-with-led-guide-light-white.html
I'm pretty happy with it - it's better than the previous generation. It adjusts output light level based on ambient light. I'm so used to it I think nothing of it - we can roam the upstairs at night just fine with no lights. The remaining outlet only ever gets used for a vacuum cleaner anyway. When we have house-guests or house-sitters, they rave about how great the lights are.
I'm pretty happy with it - it's better than the previous generation. It adjusts output light level based on ambient light. I'm so used to it I think nothing of it - we can roam the upstairs at night just fine with no lights. The remaining outlet only ever gets used for a vacuum cleaner anyway. When we have house-guests or house-sitters, they rave about how great the lights are.
pete_c
Guru
The company that makes the integrated to wall plate EL lights is called LimeLite Technology. I am using the same ones purchased in the late 1990's which I removed to put in to the newer home. Note this not what I am using for the hallways.
LimeLite Technology
LimeLite Technology
Bzncrewjr
Active Member
pete_c said:The company that makes the integrated to wall plate EL lights is called LimeLite Technology. I am using the same ones purchased in the late 1990's which I removed to put in to the newer home. Note this not what I am using for the hallways.
LimeLite Technology
Those are nice. And they appear to be "hardwired" and not depending on spring tension to the screws of the outlet.
Color is nice also.
That model doesn't consume an outlet like other solutions.
If you don't mind burning an entire gang, this looks nice also. Has a built in photosensor. Although both the EL and LED solutions probably wouldn't move your electric meter at all.
http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-6527-W-Decora-Guide-Light/dp/B002NWTEUK/ref=cm_cr_dp_asin_lnk
Under cabinet lighting in bathrooms with dim EL wire might work well. I was thinking something like this, although these are superbright LEDs.
I currently use LED strips under the kitchen cabinets and they are on 24/7 and work well. Same under the railing on the stairs.
For the bathroom, I don't want a superglow that keeps us awake. Just a very gentle light to see so there is no need to turn on the bright lights.
--Russ
pete_c
Guru
This morning here in the Midwest its been raining and was in down town Chicago round 6 AM or so.
Lots of construction happening downtown.
That said saw new LED lighting curbside / sidewalk side.
Very bad planning as the LED lighting was so bright it was blinding and you could not see the curb or side walks.
Didn't look like a temporary installation but rather some idiot thinking of the best ways to utilize LED lighting on curbs.
Really a mickey mouse installation; sort of a joke.
Noticed too the official Chicago Christmas Tree was moved from Daley plaza to Millennium Park after 50 years.
Last year on our yearly visit to see the tree was kind difficult. The tree looks nice where it is and the view from Michigan Avenue is nicer now than it was by Daley Plaza. It did look nicer though on Daley Plaza before it got commercialized in the plaza.
Picture shows here a brightly lite tree where as in fact it is really a dimly lite tree and not looking at all like the picture posted here. Personally from across the street (Michigan Avenue) I could hardly see it.
Lots of construction happening downtown.
That said saw new LED lighting curbside / sidewalk side.
Very bad planning as the LED lighting was so bright it was blinding and you could not see the curb or side walks.
Didn't look like a temporary installation but rather some idiot thinking of the best ways to utilize LED lighting on curbs.
Really a mickey mouse installation; sort of a joke.
Noticed too the official Chicago Christmas Tree was moved from Daley plaza to Millennium Park after 50 years.
Last year on our yearly visit to see the tree was kind difficult. The tree looks nice where it is and the view from Michigan Avenue is nicer now than it was by Daley Plaza. It did look nicer though on Daley Plaza before it got commercialized in the plaza.
Picture shows here a brightly lite tree where as in fact it is really a dimly lite tree and not looking at all like the picture posted here. Personally from across the street (Michigan Avenue) I could hardly see it.
