Help with pipe bookcase with light switch.

jblakes

Thank you for all the responses. I will look at a transformer, can you have one that you can connect two wire too, as in two different lights?

Kind regard
James

CSI_Yorkshire

The more questions you ask, the more it seems that your level of skill is well away from competently building any sort of electrical installation.  Be careful.

Yes, a transformer can power more than one light.  One transformer is commonly seen powering hundreds of lights on a Christmas tree for example.

You wouldn't even need to connect four (not two) wires to the transformer even, if you didn't want to.  You could use a junction box inside the shelving to split the supply.

jblakes

You are right, I'm not a competent electrician. But 3years ago I wasn't a competent builder/plasterer/kitchen fitter etc. You learn and move on 👍

CSI_Yorkshire

jblakes said:

You are right, I'm not a competent electrician. But 3years ago I wasn't a competent builder/plasterer/kitchen fitter etc. You learn and move on 👍

ELV wiring is a good place to start - it's a simpler system, less things to go wrong and smaller problems if/when they do.



Basically, you make the circuit on the "lights side" look like that.  If you want a switch that controls all the lights, it goes in the wire between the transformer and the first T-point.  If you want a switch that controls one of the lights, it goes between the T-point and the light.

You just need to work out whether the transformer can put out enough current for all the lights you want to connect, and that the cable is big enough for that current.

jblakes

Thank you very much for this, and where in Yorkshire are you from? 

ThisIsWeird

jblakes said:

This is what I'm looking at doing, you can see they have a Valve light switch to the left middle. Ive looked online and can't find anything to purchase. 

Which is why I wanted to make one. Now I just need to figure out how to wire it properly. 


Kind regards
James

That's nice!

Are you intending to construct this yourself? Check the pipe and fittings sizes carefully to make sure you use a sturdy enough size - say 3/4" OD. I'm not sure if many of the references are to actual outside dimensions, or BSP. The valve that FB linked to says 1/2", but if this is 'BSP', the OD will be around 21mm, so larger - and nicer - that you'd expect.

Anyhoo, if you are DIYing this, I'd suggest you just get on with it! Once you have all the parts and it's largely assembled, then running 2-core flexi (for LEDs, you shouldn't need any more than 'bell' wire) through there will be a doddle, and we can tell you how to wire it up.

The main issue will be finding suitable lights, but I'm sure they'll either exist, or you'll be able to adapt a 12V socket into a 'mains' fitting.

ThisIsWeird

https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-steampunk-lights.html?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20230725063514&SearchText=steampunk+lights&spm=a2g0o.home.1000002.0

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005468340085.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.21.6730253dmNJipL&algo_pvid=11f0d9a7-4795-4261-a4e9-f30bc4fb06e5&algo_exp_id=11f0d9a7-4795-4261-a4e9-f30bc4fb06e5-10&pdp_npi=3@dis!GBP!6.57!3.22!!!8.19!!@211be3cd16902958133508173d076a!12000033201275570!sea!GB!2218365073&curPageLogUid=zv341FVIznvf

(Surprised they use the same 'mains' fittings such as E27. Lots of exploding LEDs out there :-)  )

jblakes

Yeah, ive ordered all pipe with 3/4" OD turned up today, well the wife thinks it is.

I've not ordered the valves yet because I wanted to make sure I could use it without risk of harm. Same with wire required 

ThisIsWeird

They'll work fine, and at 12v, will be safe. We'll guide you through it.

CSI_Yorkshire

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Equivalent-Voltage-Lighting-Interior-3000K-Pack/dp/B07VLKLBHG/
powered from something like
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Idealyuan-Waterproof-Transformer-Adapter-Lighting/dp/B07JMTD78C/

If you don't mind that site - or at least there's something for comparison.  I have no idea about these brands, they were just the first applicable example from a search.  There are likely to be several better options.