The BEST attic/loft lights installation for BEGINNERS? {No Electrician Needed!}
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ธ.ค. 2023
- Hi all - now I can get in the attic easily after last week's attic ladder install, before I even attempted replacing missing insulation (and topping the rest up) I needed to be able to see what we were doing!
Before, we used head torches or plugged bulky work lights into an extension cable. This hasn't been practical to constantly move them and take them to different areas.
So I decided to share my electrical DIY guide on how I installed my own low energy LED batten lights in the loft without breaking my house wiring. NOTE: I am not an electrician - I just wanted to learn some basics with Wago connectors, wire strippers, etc, and opted for an easy DIY for beginners route.
VIDEOS MENTIONED: I was hugely inspired by two videos here if you want to check them out:
➡️The DIY Guy (cuts into the house's electrics) - • How to Install Loft Li...
➡️Stuart @ Proper DIY (uses a plug on a cable) - • How to Install the Eas...
Anyway - I hope you enjoy and if you'd do anything differently, then feel free to leave me a comment!
If you're new here, you can catch up on my whole auction property renovation adventure here:
➡️ How I installed a DIY loft ladder: • How l installed a DIY ...
➡️HOW we lost THOUSANDS struggling to get back on the property ladder: • We could've been PROSE...
➡️Our experience risking all of our money bidding on an auction property: • We RISKED IT ALL biddi...
➡️A sneak peek inside our new house: • FULL HOME TOUR: I boug...
➡️And how we found it's worse than we thought due to a mouse infestation: • We moved into our new ...
➡️ Trying to fix leaks • We tried to fix the le...
➡️ A drone tour of our new 4 acre abandoned farm • The UGLY TRUTH about o...
➡️ Plasterboarding our dining room • I tried plasterboardin...
Or find the FULL PLAYLIST here:
➡️ • We could've been PROSE...
THINGS I USED:
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links.
➡️V-TAC LED Batten bright lights (60W 6ft 7200 lumens) geni.us/6wd4M4 {amazon}
➡️ Stanley wire strippers geni.us/3ai7Pq {amazon}
➡️Earth sheath geni.us/Usge3 {amazon}
➡️Wago lighting box geni.us/73Nd0M {amazon}
➡️Wago XL junction box geni.us/RAbv {amazon}
➡️Wago 222 connectors (selection) geni.us/FYJI {amazon}
➡️1.5mm flexi cable 10m geni.us/51qvIX {amazon}
➡️Twin and Earth LSOH prysmian basec electric cable 300/500v bs7211 6242b 2x1.5x1
➡️Cable clips geni.us/Ayeu8B {amazon}
➡️ Loft ladder geni.us/rUY5vWz {amazon}
➡️ Plasterboard screws geni.us/xpA656 {amazon}
➡️ Worklights geni.us/TmmlQz {amazon}
➡️Evolution mitre saw geni.us/IJ3Lhj {amazon}
➡️ Worx worktable geni.us/gyLz8vg {amazon} (gifted)
➡️ Stanley Impact driver geni.us/Rjo60E {amazon}
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Do you think I should connect it to a permanent live feed or leave that for an electrician???
Yeah I would but then its my house and I'm not on youtube ;-) You could get them to install a socket in the loft and then mount a switched extension on the wall. My whole shed/garden is an appliance ;-)
Any electrician will tell you that adding circuits yourself is not permitted under Building and Electrical Regulations. If it were my attic I'd run the cable and outlets but get a friendly electrician to make the final connection at the board or tap into a circuit.
It would be a simple job to do it yourself, but by law an electrician must check and sign it off.
That's exactly my husband's way of thinking, but I made sure he kept his mitts away from this one 😆
I wouldn't even bother. In reality it isn't very often you use a loft and running that lead isn't that much of a pain. If you were to do this, then you could use a kinetic wireless switch to control the lights from downstairs without having to run ugly wires and might make a good video for those that have yet to discover the newer technology.
I love Stuart and his Proper DIY Channel...he has a lovely dry sense of humor...and is very clever with projects.
Yes, I absolutely agree! I know a lot of people tell him he could use more advanced tools and methods, but then his projects would be more advanced projects, and then not aimed at ordinary home DIYers. He has some great advice and tips that are easy to understand. I respect anyone who takes the time to break projects into simple tasks. I told him at Makers Central last year, he reminds me of my late father in law, who would only do a job properly so it would last.
Good Job Vickie. I'm a spark and I'm impressed with your sensible approach to safety by not tackling anything above your competence level
Thank you! :) It's not a task I'm comfortable with because I may not get a second chance to learn from a mistake. This may be my limit 😆
I was going to say the same. Wiring them in series would have saved you a little faff with the large junction box and don’t do the socket on the lighting circuit. It’s a simple and cheap job for a spark to wire those into your existing lighting loop with a switch.
Nice work 👍
Vicky you could of bought 5 foot fittings with compression gland at both ends you just daisy chain into each fitting then the last light just has one cable, 😊
Yup more light is always better!
Don't know if it's been mentioned but I'll put my word in- before you insulate make sure you air seal. Make sure you caulk or spray foam any penetrations: wires, pipes, ducts, etc. that come up into the attic space. Insulation is so much more effective when you've eliminating air movement thru it.
Carry on with the great work.
Thanks so much! I'll add this on my to do list to check as we go!
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK when you insulate - make sure air can get around, otherwise condensation can cause issues - you will see airvents in soffits and various house to allow an airflow ... but i'm sure you will youtube that info
Again thanks.
Just finished my loft with your idea......get stuff keep the content coming....
Well done vikkie looks brilliant look forward to other videos 👍🏼
What a cracking idea with the cross battens! I've not installed similar lights in my garage because of the weight of them - if I connect them with cross battens, it'll make it easy! Wonderful idea, I'm stealing it ;)
Glad it gave you an insight. I wish I'd weighed them now, but this type are VERY lightweight!!
Well done Vikki - for lighting Wago221s are much better for the Wago boxes you had. I would call an electrician get him to connect it to a permanent live with a new convenient light switch at the loft hatch location. Most sensible electricians will inspect your work in each Wago (without undoing the connections) do an IR test on the run and then do the necessary for the switch run. You have saved him the tedious work.
This is an awesome idea with these lights.I follow the guys you mentioned and saw them do the same thing but I think yours is a winner…thanks.thats a sub from me 🙌🏻
Enjoying the frequent updates now. Looking forward to the loft insulation vid!
Hope sweet Hans is well 💜
Thanks so much! We're looking forward to it being installed 😆 And Hans is very well! There's lots of him in this Sunday's video 🐾
Vikkie, I have been watching you for quite a while now and I find that you are a very talented young lady. You know what you can do and what you are not able to do and that speaks highly of you, you know your limitations and that is very smart of you. To many people are afraid to admit that they do not know everything. I would like to wish you and all of your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks Vikkie, that has given me the impetus to replace our loft light (ancient 100w bulb) with a couple of these modern LED strips!
Glad I could help! I find them so much more user friendly! They're very lightweight too!
Thanks for sharing, interesting to watch the progress.
Glad you enjoyed 😀
Thank you so much for making this video. This is a job I’ve been putting off for ages I’m my house as I have no confidence when it comes to working with electrics. I’m definitely going to tackle it now. Thanks Vikkie. Have a lovely Christmas!!
I've been scared too, but those wagos made it look SO much easier 😍 hope you get round to doing yours soon too!
Well done! It's so good when a job goes well, especially if it will make subsequent jobs easier. It's a good workaround to have lights plug in and one I think a lot of people overlook. It avoids the need for an electrician and for a sign-off. I fitted some LED downlights into my kitchen alcoves myself and as they plugged into sockets under the worktop, there were no regulations I needed to worry about. Lighting aside, your loft looks enormous! Maybe a conversion at some point. Good to see you have some signs of Christmas in your home. It's not a priority when you're renovating but it's good to have a break. In the five years I've been renovating my house, I've always downed tools over Christmas and taken two weeks off. I've created a festive bubble in my faulty towers and enjoyed forgetting about all my troubles/jobs/etc. Have a lovely Christmas Vikky :)
I just love the way you tackle things no fear at all i love my Sundays when you upload,such a great educational channel ,you should be so proud of yourself, you're such a gre at teacher ,just Fabulous xxxxxx ❤👌👍💯👏💕💖💓
Thank you so much for your kind comment 😀 I'm very happy you're enjoying them 🥰
Well done Vicky I was always leave the dangerous stuff for someone professional with electric you cannot smell or see the danger also what has been done before thanks for throwing light on the job😊
Hi you have done a good job I've seen some dreadful electrics over the years but you have done a really good job and explained it really well
Thank you so much 💓
Another great video lots of common sense. Love a Wago connector and box. A bit ott but for not a lot of money and a great sense of completeness I use Ferrells and a crimper ( Amazon again) for multi stranded cables. Makes plug wiring even more satisfying and easier for getting the multi strand into the Wago connectors. As other have said a 3 amp fuse in the plug and Robert is your mums brother !!
The onluy thing I would do differently - is have you do mine instead of me haaaa I absolutely loved this - it is unbelievably bright up there now and a total wow massive job well done :)
Brilliant job as usual. You are so inspiring. So look forward to watching your many, many projects to come. As for cutting into the mains, I would get an electrician to let me do it while they were sitting close by. A happy Christmas to you all and a woofy one to Hans.
Thanks so much! Yes, this would be my preferred method 😀 I need to find a friendly electrician now who's willing 😆
Really impressed with this Vicky. You've inspired me to try and do something similar in our loft. We have an entire area we can't use that is dark and this (and Stuart's method) are the best I've seen so far for a great result without complicated electrical tinkering to the mains.
Thanks so much and absolutely agree! And I really don't mind bringing a cable down to plug it in. Everytime I use it, it makes me happy because I did it 😀
Well done, Vikkie! 👏 What a difference all that light must make (I've worked in a few lofts this year that were dim at best). I've been repairing wires in my van today and suddenly feel more confident about tackling the lighting next. I plan to use Wago connectors too - good to see they're as easy to fit as claimed.
Thanks so much! Yes, they really are easy. They're chunkier than the smaller ones they've brought out since, but these were what I felt confident with after watching videos on them.
Loving those lights in the loft space 💜 I will be getting some for mine 💜 I need to do a few minor repairs and its very dark those lights are a game changer 💜💜
Thanks 😊 And me too!! What a difference it has made not having to rely on battery powered lights and we can fully inspect the place now. I highly recommend lighting you loft!
Amazing Job Vikkie, electrics petrify me. Thank you for making it look easy, I don't know how you do it, a true professional. 😊
It always has me too! It's not the sort of thing I've wanted to delve into in the past because we all make mistakes, which could be costly in many ways
Good job, walking the plank as well 😂. They’re great lights, I’ve used strings of them before and amazed at how bright they are and how many you can put in-line through one plug. Have three in my workshop at the moment and use them via plug too. Great and safe ❤ another job done 👍
Thanks so much, Claire ☺️ I really wish I'd learnt how to do this sooner. It was so easy and fun to do. I'll have to do this again sometime 😀
Well done Vikki another project ticked off😊 I love the way you do your research before carrying out these projects, you tell by your comments that the TH-cam haters have little to comment on 😅 keep up the excellent content 👌
Thanks so much :) And you should see the Facebook comments... 😆 I've found they are the worst natured people compared to all of the platforms. They'll find something like hate when I share the short video version tomorrow lol
Well done, have a lovely christmas
Thank you so much and I hope you do too! 😃
You definitely need to board that loft out, you have a ton of really useful storage space up there with good access and now lighting.😃😃😃😃
Thanks so much and yes I think we do! I've collected some boards to work safer up there while we insulate, and we'll be picking up some more for a walkway 😀 I'll be looking for attic storage ideas too once done.
Great job Vikki ❤
Thanks so much ❤️
Great job, Vikkie! I love the illuminated attic. I would not call in an electrician just for connecting these lights. If you have to hire an electrician for another job around the house, then just add this little job to his job. Merry Christmas and thanks for the video.
Thank you and very true. A call out fee alone for something like this could be very silly. I'll have to create a list over time, and meanwhile, I have something that works perfect for us.
so clever love it!!
Thank you 😊
Nicely done.
Thanks so much 🙏
I don't know if you've covered this in another video but I would definitely consider getting the roof re-done. It would be a shame if you get all decorated to find it leaks in the next few years. FWIW when the spark is next on site I would get mains power into your loft space and a switch up there for the lights. I think it won't be long until you tire of having the cable dangling down into the hallway. Great video though. I do like the Wago although my spark seems to dislike them with a passion. 🙂
Oh by the way I meant on my last comment I was talking about your Werner hop up platform not the plasterboard lift.
I’ve got the other hop up with the adjustable legs just gives you that extra lift you need quite I bit more expensive
Nicely done! 👏 Thank you for sharing. I recommend a sparky, just in case there's something funky by the previous owners and creating a spur off the wrong circuit can cause issues later. Having a light switch at the top of the ladder is super handy (saves up and down the ladder a couple of trips) - if you're not up there a lot though, an extension lead approach is great - then you know the lights are definitely off!
Thanks so much ❤️❤️ Yes, that's exactly how I feel. I've seen a video on how someone had a go and an electrician went round to fix it. I feel I don't know enough of the unknown, but thoroughly enjoyed doing this
I did something similar in my attic. I did the short cross pieces, but then put a batten down the middle of the attic attached to the short pieces. I could put the clips up evenly spaced and lastly attach the lights. Having some bright lights in an attic is such an advantage if doing work up there, as I’m sure you will be!
That's a great idea too! I'm so glad I did it! I hated us having to move lights while we did stuff. At least we can tinker up there more and look for any issues if we have problem later on.
Nice work Vikkie! I think this is definitely the way I will go, I seriously need more lighting in my loft as for the last 30 years I have had a plug in inspection lamp clamped to the rafters 😂🤦🏻 you are creating to many jobs for me that I have been putting off😊.
Haha, hopefully you can get round to doing them soon 😀
Great ideas! I’m going to do that now - much better than my headtorch 😂
Haha....yes! My head torch was almost flat too when I used it for this video. So glad I've installed these since!
Hi Vickie , your doing a fantastic job 😉👍🎄⛄️🎅🏻
Thank you so much and merry Christmas x
I used the idea from Proper DIY, works a treat.
Stuart's videos are great, aren't they? 🤩 Glad it worked for you too!
Sure did, I used it in the garage. Simples! LOL.@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK
Nice Job VIKKIE And MERRY Christmas 🎄🎄❤
Thank you so much and merry Christmas to you too 🎄
I have used Wago connectors on all the pot lights in my renovated kitchen and they are fine. As a retired toolmaker i am way over qualified to do electrical work but i follow code religeously because i do not want to make a mistake. You tube will show you how to do everything , the trick is do not take shortcuts.
Good video,may i suggest you invest in a tool belt to put your impact driver on or Combi drill, and also a DeWalt magnetic drill bit holder to keep your screws secure so you don't drop them, plus it will help you when you're working above head height
I think it will help speed up your work and in turn more safer for you 👍👍👍👍💯
Good job.
Thanks so much 😀
If you have a run of lights along the length of the loft you can loop one to the next to the next and use less cable and fewer Wago's. But with electrics, know your limitations. Have you had the electrics checked on moving in?? It is money well spent so you know it is safe at the beginning of your ownership. Happy Christmas.
Thanks. I don't think we could have used any less cables. And yes, we've had them checked and the consumer unit upgraded shortly after moving in 😀
Awsome project Vikkie with loads of good tips (again one's that i never think of like those cacle clips) i'm old school and use box connectors and lots of electrical tape.
It looks sh1t but does the job, rest ashured that i will be using your method from now on : )
I don't like the idea of the electric cable hanging down from the loft and i would 100% hack into the loft wireing (after all the trouble you went through installing you new lights why make it difficult and untidy by having to dangle a cable from the loft and plug it into a socket.
I would have a double socket in the loft as they are really handy but i would put a permanent switch right next to you loft ladder and not plug you lights into the socket.
Good video Vikkie, look forward to the next : )
That's a huge improvement and should hopefully make it much easier to do any work up there. It's unlikely to ever be an issue but I've heard it's best practice to add occasional metal cable clips to prevent cable falling down in the event of a fire when used overhead. The whole house will be so much warmer once you manage to get all that insulation down I bet you can't wait.
I'd not heard of that! Yes, we really can't wait. We're slowly making a difference each week. Hopefully we'll be in the living room by Christmas week 😅 It's just too cold in there compared to the other rooms.
brilliant job put a switch spur below loft hatch from socket off socket below then no need for extension top job
Thanks for the idea 😀
Your video on installing lights was very illuminating. (sorry couldn't help it).
😂 😂 🤣 thanks so much and I believe you're the first to share a pun lol
Wago connectors are the BEST!! Just discovered them this past summer, makes installing lights, ceiling fans, etc. SO much easier. I had no idea about the Wago boxes though, 🤯 I’ll be buying/installing those from now on. When it comes to tapping into house main electrics, personally I hire an electrician. I’m not qualified & don’t keep up to date on codes, etc. Only one small criticism I have, Hans didn’t make an appearance!🐕🐾🐶
Hahaha... he always looks confused when he sees me up there and he can't get up the ladder 😆 And yes, this is exactly how I feel about codes... there's so much I don't know, I'd rather hire an electrician. This would probably be my limit, but it was good to learn rather than me being ignoring about electrics in general, which I think could be dangerous if don't have a basic understanding.
You have so many options to make a permanent connection. Ideally you would run a new feed back to your consumer unit, but you need a sparkie to make the final connection really.
You could tap into a permanent live from a downstairs light and probably will be the most common way. The fitting will be in the attic floor, it is just the case of interrupting the permanent live and feeding from that and fitting a light switch. I suppose you could use a double pole isolator switch so your live and neutrals will be connecting in your switch and making it even easier.
You could also pinch the live and neutral from the ceiling rose and run them into a socket in the loft and use a plug with a 3 amp fuse and do the switching from the socket, just make sure you mark the socket as "lights only" so nobody plugs in a big drill or something and will trip your comsumer unit.
Hi Vikkie did you remember to change the 13amp plug fuse to a smaller one to give you the best protection.
I tapped mine into the main lighting cable and fitted a switch just as you get to the top of the ladder but must say you’ve done a great job and very safely done just remember to change that plug fuse
All you need is a load of Fairy-Lights and you've got Santa's Grotto now 😅😅 ... Well Done 👍🤠
Haha.... we've got too many in this house now lol
Good work! Wago connectors are a game changer house hold electrics, so much more secure than connector blocks and they can be connected and disconnected over and over without fatiguing solid core (wait until you fit the MK Logic Rapid Fix Sockets 😂). For most jobs I prefer the 221s, they fit in the boxes much nicer (check the amp ratings for your application first!). Honestly you could easily connect up to the lighting ring, it's the same principle as what you've already done really. Heads up you can get earth sleeving in shorter lengths for a reasonable price from Wickes, I managed to do all of the sockets and lights in my house with 5m, the 100m from Screwfix / Toolstation is wayyy too much for DIYers!
Thanks so much for the socket name! I'd spotted them and didn't know what they were called! We're very tempted as have to upgrade the old storage heater sockets to double ones. And I wish Wickes was closer!!!!! It's 50 mins away from our new place 😐
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK the sockets are great! They are a bit deeper, they say they'll fit into a 25mm back box but I wouldn't want to try. 35mm or bigger is much more comfortable.
Looks fab Vikkie nice and bright keep up the good work, just plug them in via an extension lead when required 😊
Edit…. note to self watch the whole video before commenting 😊
😄 and thanks so much ❤️
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK you’re welcome you two will have it done in no time 😊
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Great job!
Thank you so much 🥰
Been doing solid 50mm insulation into the eaves since the storm isha blew off our ridge tiles on our 70yr old roof. Having full access whilst roof is off is the only way to do it.
Jeees... sorry to hear that!!
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK nah, it was a wakeup call. I have solar on the kitchen roof below and thankfully it went off to the side instead. Its long overdue and if we were smarter we would have tackled it before the coldest months. But at least it will be better for next year.
Lighting is like cooking better to under light first , than light like a football stadium , you can always add but your jiggered if you bought 15 units when 5 will do 🤣🤣 nice one again . Have a great Christmas 🍾🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🏴
Another good job , the lights rellly do make a difference and adding the extra one was betterer 😊👍
Thanks so much! I'm so glad I bought a 4th, and all the time I was worried 3 would be overkill lol
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK Well you don't know til you do it , alas using the wago connectors it was easy to add another , well done. I see they no longer do florescent tubes anymore you can only get led ones. (Not saying those lights use them as you said they was led ) 👍
Come to think of it, I haven't seen any for sale for a while
Couple of points for future....take the wago box right up to the fitting...ignore the flex on the light...if you ever have to take down or replace the fitting with another brand it might not have same length or any flex on it....also with cable tacks if you are tacking horizontally, put the nail to the bottom...if the tack breaks then the cable will probably stay up...better still use some metal tacks now to prevent collapse...good video though
These are all great points I wish I'd known before I started, i would definitely have done them, they make complete sense thankyou !!
And I'll have a look for some metal tacks.
I love learning new tips from the comments on my videos.
Welcome
I would use a fused switch in the loft if tapping into the ring main and not put a socket. The only time you will probably ever need a socket up there is when boarding out. When that's finished should you ever need a socket up there it safer to run an extension lead. Plus it may need to be a weather proof one if you did put one in.
We’re gonna have to start calling you Vicki Sparks (she’s a sports writer) lol.
The wago connectors go on their side into the slots in the junction box, although you were using the wrong box for your connectors.
I always put a socket next to the loft hatch, there’s not much point adding any more fixed wiring in the loft. I think you are capable of doing it yourself. Just make sure you’re cutting into a socket circuit and not the switch cable for a lighting circuit.
Houston, we have lights 😁
🤩
Hi Vikkie, great work there on your loft lights, good use of existing cable using 1.5 mm or you could use 1.0 mm or done the lot in flex you could use 0.75 mm or 1.0 mm flex and it could be 2 or 3 core flex. each of those lights use between 20 to 25 watts in power, so 4 lights it will be 80 to 100 watts, just make sure you have fitted a 3 amp fuse but no higher than a 5 amp fuse if you haven't got a 3 amp. You are doing a great job on you new house and we all watch other DIYers for advice and to pick up other or better ideas we can learn from one another and I've learned a few ideas from your self. Catch you on the next one ,Take care mate👍👍
PS , Nadolig Llawen = Merry Christmas😄👍
Thanks so much for the tip and glad you enjoyed it. And I'll do that if Mr TCD doesn't beat me to it (he wanted to tap into the electrics and I wanted to do it my way lol).
And Merry Christmas 🎄
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK Hi Vikkie, you way is a good way, it can be wired to the light circuit or of a plug
*Get a lekkie in to wire it to your mains whilst the walls are off.... so that you just have a light switch inside the loft for you to turn on the lights... that also saves you going up and down the ladder to get that cord. That is what my friends have in their homes. :-).*
Thanks :) this is what we had at our last house too
👍👍👍.Thank you
Glad you liked it 😃
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK
May this Christmas bring you blessings and happiness 🤗
Re your heating the gas fire gives of lots condensation ? diesel heater lot cheaper , and good content
Thanks! What kind of diesel heater were you thinking? One like in a motorhome or one like a standard boiler replacement that heats water in radiatiors?
I would tap into power in the attic, but add a 'push to break' switch to the drop down door, this way you never have to switch any lights on, it will be automatic. 👍🏻
Can you cut out a piece from the wood near the step exit to permanently have the wire plug down.
I'd run twin and earth from lights to the consumer unit. Then patch a bit of flex on temporarily with Wago connectors and run to the nearest socket. That way, you can use the lights immediately - but then get an electrician to put it onto a dedicated circuit later when you inevitably have to bring them in to do other things.
To be fair, if the lights are wired in 3 plate then no need, tap into a pendant and extend the loop, add in a switched live and Bob's your uncle. Much easier than running a cable all the way back to the CU.
@@cjmillsnun I've done similar here, but would probably go down the separate feed route if I was doing a major property refurb.
No need to have a separate feed from the CU for occasional, low wattage lights. Definitely a situation to extend a lighting circuit very commonly found in lofts, and while the walls are off I'd add a wall switch below the hatch, to avoid leaving them on and having to go up the ladder to turn off.
How well do LEDs hold up in hot attics? England probably doesn't get hot enough for this to be a major problem, but over here (Atlanta area) the highest part of an attic can easily be over 45 C for much of the summer. I use old incandescent bulbs in my attic because they have no electronic components that would be harmed by the heat.
This is one area that has become easier to do. You (as a DIYer) are allowed to extend a circuit but not to install a new one!
In my loft I have a switch on the loft floor next to the entrance so when I climb the ladder it is next to my hand on the ladder. I have seen many with a pull cord switch to do the same. If I was to be going full beast mode there are PIR switches that will switch on as they detect you in the loft, but you run the risk of them turning off if you stay still too long ....... which is possible in your humungus loft area! Plugging one in with a switched socket works too though ;o)
If you plan on fixing eather a switch or socket to your loft floor don't forget to allow for the extra depth of insulation you will want in there! (I would go at least 50% more than recommended depth)
Eather blown or rolls. Rockwool does not compress with time and is easier on the lungs (and less itchy). You do need to be careful when insulating to leave an air gap at the soffits to allow the roof to breathe
I would Not recommend spray foam insulation as it can cause problems like fungus on timbers not visible and insurance companies may even refuse to insure and I know you don't plan on selling, but that could be also an issue there!
I cant remember for sure but I seem to think you have a tiled roof, if so installing vents in the membrane under them is a good idea as it allows air to flow in the loft. This is a ridiculously easy job but is often overlooked. Maybe a dozen vents that are just slid into the overlap of the membrane allowing air to get past it and go through the small gaps between tiles (or slates).
Thankyou, there's a lot here to digest, but I'm going to be referring back to this before I do the insulation, I'm about to start researching the laying of it now, I hadn't even considered adding extra vents yet, so I'll be looking into doing that too, unfortunately I've already bought the insulation when it was cheap on black Friday.😀
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK You mean you bought SOME insulation? ;o)
£ for £ it is by far the best investment you will make!
basic electrics is easy you need some metal clips to be fully compliant. surely series connected better (like xmas lights) in one light out into 2nd light etc etc
Thanks 😊
Lights that require 230V must be wired in parallel! Otherwise you are dividing the voltage between them. Christmas lights used to be 20 x 12v bulbs or 40 x 6v bulbs in series.
You can still wire 230v fittings in a line, but it's done in parallel, not series.
Good job, especially covering up the cable junctions in the wagobox. Should be a simple matter for a spark to wire them into the lighting circuit for you. And yes, I'd recommend a spark does it. Anything fixed wiring beyond changing a faceplate, let the pros do.
Thanks so much :) I hope they don't come and want to rip out my wires first 😆
Those LED batten lights are cheap enough all year round if you look hard enough. Got 2 in the garage and mine are just 6 watts but with the silly amount of lumens. They even make a difference in daylight!
Thanks! I was hoping to find some lower watt ones too but couldn't take the risk with all the areas I needed to reach.
I was looking for this video as im hoping to install LED battens in my garage connected to a plug. What are the instructions on wiring the cable to the plug?
Hi, I'll be creating a written blogpost on this all very soon, but I just follow the diagram that comes with the plug.
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK thank you so much 🙂
Well done, I'm amazed how clean it is up there, my loft has 12" of dust / dirt everywhere. But I only have tiles on the roof, no barrier board like yours. Wind just blows dirt under the tiles into the loft. Cheap and nasty welfare house build of the 1960s. :D
Could you add a breathable membrane to prevent that? Not sure what building regs are for it until I researched
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK I was thinking of adding the boards you Poms and even Americans have, but i live in Australia and regs back in the 60s were very lax, to save costs. Being in a welfare area, not sure if it's even worth the effort. probably not. Never had any serious problems in 60 years.
Great work, and I think you're right not doing the electrical stuff.
Agree. Would love to learn a bit more, but only stuff I am legally allowed to do
How about puting a doorswitch or motion dectector at the hatch? Im from the US and disccovered your channel about a month ago. To be honest, this Andy ain't that handy but very interested.
Thanks for the idea! I love the sound of it, but it's a very large area, and would be worried it would turn off on me while I'm at another end 😆
Thanks. When it comes to ladders and light switches, im a bit of a fumblina😄
Better safe than sorry. You've come too far to have your new home burn down for lack of a certified professional electrician. Hope you're all well and Hans, too. Missed seeing the little guy
Take care of yourselves ~ Lacy, Mike & Hamish🐾🤗🏡💖 Merry Christmas to you and yours🎄🌟☃🎅
Absolutely agree! And yes, we're all 😊 Hans makes lots of appearances in this Sunday's video! Merry Christmas and hope you're all great too.
I have the same issue with my stripoers why don't they strip all our cables ???
Exactly!! I thought I'd forgotten to adjust the tension on it... nope... 😆
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK I just want one tool to strip them all 😜😜🍰
😆
If not sure with electrical stuff leave well alone. Have lost count of how many times i have had to sort DIY electrical stuff out. Am pleased am away from domestic stuff now.
Thanks so much for your insight and completely agree. If you search loft lights on TH-cam, one of the top videos was an electrician having to sort out a DIY disaster. It's exactly why I only wanted to do it this way.
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK the biggest issue I had was that it was obvious that someone had tried to do the job and messed up but denied doing anything. Last time it happened I had a mains board to sort and several faults on sockets and lighting. Was 3 or 4 days sorting the problems. The guy tried to blame someone else initially.
They could've save you some time by saying what they'd actually tried doing!
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK would have been a lot easier for me and less costly for him.
Spoiled by using grey clips on white cable . Other than that very good
🤣 thankyou. I've learned from reading the comments, I've put some in upside down and I'm missing some metal tacks too.
I can't believe you don't like the contrasting colours 😀.. ( I probably picked grey because they were cheaper)
I think if anyone tells you that you should tap into the house wiring yourself, when you've said you're not comfortable doing so, that's a big sign that you shouldn't listen to that person. Electrics is one of those things that if you don't know what you're doing and you're not 100% happy doing it, then don't try. I will say, even if you get an electrician to do it, tapping it into the main house wiring would be a more “finished” job, but nothing wrong with how it is now, that's exactly how my attic lights work.
Thanks and agree. I would only do what I feel safe with.
Only thing that made me wince was hitting in cable clips on a live wire, otherwise good job
I would have done it no different
A great pay off - all that light is a great achievement
Thank you and it certainly feels like it! I really don't mind bringing the cable down everytime I need lighting up there and everytime I plug it in, it feels like a sense of achievement 😀
You will be well able to tap into an existind live feed. It's not rocket sgience, it's just common sense and you have plenty of that. You have mastered every task you have taken on.
This is what my husband keeps saying, but I can't bring myself to do it on video, and looking at all the comments about needing to get it signed off anyway it sounds like I really shouldn't.😇
Inshal ayshan
Insulation?
"I can see clearly now, the lights are on..."
🤩🤩
That appears to me to be the most over engineered attic i have ever seen . I do not fhink you have any fear of your roof collapsing under a heavy snow load .Ha Ha not that it snows much in the U.K. I have a 130 year old slate roof in Ohio that is not braced that well and does not sag at all .
It's a standard attic in the UK
i guess cheap tile is heavier than slate ?
Great Work, really interesting stuff on your house... come a long way already.
If you wanted to permanently wire in the lights - Cameron The DIY guy gives a pretty detailed explantion of how to use an existing live feed from a lighting circuit below.
th-cam.com/video/f1rTZqJggSw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ptgp95Tu3_8_7Ajk
Wago connectors... also so much better than the old connector blocks that are probably around many houses !
Keep up the good work.
When I added light to my own attic I just bought a couple of long LED strips(narrow strips with sticky backs) that runs on 12V. Then I added a 12V solar panel, an old 12V motorcycle battery(the only remains of my long since scrapped Scooter) and a solar controller from China.
Just stuck the LED strip to the rafters, connected power, and got some light-up switches(automotive switches with an indicator light) that I mounted near the attic stairs.
You're using Glass Wool as insulation, I see.
Ever heard of 'The Greatest Publicity Stunt Ever'?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_block_expedition_of_1959