Outdoor Christmas lights

dave23

I have Christmas lights up at the front of my house from a socket within our integral garage. Thinking ahead to next year I want to have an outdoor socket installed so I can have lights further down the garden. The waterproof sockets I have seen only take a normal plug and wont close with a transformer plug/LED driver in. Can you get a waterproof socket that will take these transformers or is there another solution?

molerat

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ip54-weatherproof-outdoor-box-kit/455hh

Various versions available from various suppliers without timers & RCD etc.

dave23

That looks the job, thanks. It looks like it will take the transformers that are the wrong way round. Has anyone got one of these? Is there room to plug the timer into the extension block and then the transformer into the timer?

ThisIsWeird

I have one which is similar - I think I got it on eBay. But that SF jobbie is a cracking deal when you consider everything that comes with it.

You can get them in different sizes, so - yes - there will be one that'll take a timer and then a transformer plugged in - they can lay on their sides, as you can see in the other pics in that listing. Just measure what room you need, and compare it with the internal dims shown under 'spec' (could be quite snug).

Just measure the combined height of the socket, timer and PSU, and choose a size to suit.

These are the ideal solutions for temporary situations like you describe - no need for an ugly permanent large outdoor socket.

Slinky

You can get very decent battery operated outdoor lights now. If your only use for the socket is the Christmas lights these may be worth considering.

markin

A plug is dusk/dawn plug is great for starting lights at the perfect time without adjusting the start on the timer, Or use a smart plug, I think the tplink tapo has a sunset mode.

flashg67

dave23 said:

That looks the job, thanks. It looks like it will take the transformers that are the wrong way round. Has anyone got one of these? Is there room to plug the timer into the extension block and then the transformer into the timer?

I use one - my tip would be to get a large one if you're using an extension. My medium one is a bit tight if using more than one timer and adapter in there too. Has worked perfectly this year despite it being very wet and windy where I am