Help with pipe bookcase with light switch.

Section62

jblakes said:

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

Have you checked the wall you want to mount the bookcase on has the strength to take the weight?  3/4BSP pipe is not light, and adding the weight of the books will total a considerable amount.  You'll want to make sure a bookcase like the one in the picture is very securely attached to the wall, because if it decides to let go it could do significant damage to anyone standing in the way of it.

Also note that the one in the picture has the vertical pipes apparently passing through holes drilled in the shelves.  This will complicate the process of assembling and mounting the shelves, and wiring up the lights.  It isn't as easy as it might look.

It wouldn't surprise me if the commercial version was made using lightweight tube rather than standard pipe in order to reduce the weight.  Also, possibly loose-fit or glued into the fittings rather than being threaded.

Be really careful, not just with the electrics.  A project like this has several potential ways of doing people harm.

jblakes

I'm adding pipes down to the floor, it's also a solid stone wall so should take the weight easy. 👍

grumbler

ThisIsWeird said:

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 :-)  )

And they also have G4 220V bulbs and fitting. Once I bought 10 bulbs accidentally an it took me some time to find out why they didn't work.

jblakes

OK, so looks like we have decided to have two light. So I'm looking at this. I hope I've got the right stuff. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0153D7ML8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0722JN2M2?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BTCT5VJR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B083GQCN9M?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0B3MYBTFH?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Does all this work together. Or will it blow up 🤣

FreeBear

jblakes said: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0722JN2M2?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

The bulbs are for 240V, yet you also list a (12V) transformer.

As pointed out earlier, the switch you have selected is not suitable for use with 240V mains, so I'd suggest selecting different (low voltage) bulbs.

ThisIsWeird

As FB says - you need the correct voltage bulbs as shown in the AliExpress link.
Your transformer might be overkill as it's designed for outdoor use. If you look at your 'cable' link, you'll see the 'normally bought with...' suggestion which has a smaller trannie - that should do.
As well as being the same voltage - usually 12V - you need to ensure the total wattage of the bulbs doesn't exceed the trannie rating. The one with the cable is 24W. Your bulbs will likely be 5W max each, so plenty. But find the bulbs first and confirm.

ThisIsWeird

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DoRight-Voltage-Filament-Antique-Equivalent/dp/B09CTJ24G1/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2F2DCI0VNMG4M&keywords=12v+e27+led+bulb&qid=1691043608&sprefix=12v+e27,aps,123&sr=8-4

One other thing - if you want the bulbs to be dimmable, then both the bulbs and the trannie need to be dimmable types, and you'll need also fit a mains dimmer in the mains cable to the trannie, so need to work out where that can be mounted.

Oh, and the end caps of these bulb holders can almost certainly just be glued (eg Stixall) to the open pipe end. Abrade the contacting surfaces and glue neatly. 

grumbler

ThisIsWeird said:

As FB says - you need the correct voltage bulbs as shown in the AliExpress link.

Available on Amazon too, although expensive

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Low-Voltage-Filament-Edison-DC12-36V/dp/B07XSG27M9

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WELSUN-Edison-Voltage-Incandescent-Equivalent/dp/B08BTQXTFM?th=1

....

jblakes

OK, so I need to find some low watts bulbs, will the transformer work, or should I get a smaller one? 

They dont need to be dimmable just low watt. 

Anything else I'm missing?

Kind regards 
James

grumbler

jblakes said:

OK, so I need to find some low watts bulbs, will the transformer work, or should I get a smaller one? 

You need low VOLTAGE bulbs and corresponding transformer converting mains VOLTAGE 240V to low VOLTAGE, presumably 12V.
Do you really not know the difference between voltage (Volts) and wattage (power, Watts)?
The transformer power has to exceed the total power of your bulbs, but beware that some transformers have also minimum power limitation.

Also check what current the bulbs need - AC (alternating) of DC (direct). If (unlikely) they aren't compatible with both (i.e. aren't  AC/DC) make sure that the transformer provides what they specifically need.