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Started By
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Outdoor lights
Posted on 7/2/23 at 8:50 am
Posted on 7/2/23 at 8:50 am
I bought a box of those outdoor string lights to hang on the back patio.
I’m trying to plan on my head the best way to hide the wires. I’ll attach the lights with tie wraps to the gutter supports. My question is, is it safe to run an outdoor extension cord in the gutter and down the downspout and connect it to the receptacle close by?
Or do you guys have better ways of doing this?
I’m trying to plan on my head the best way to hide the wires. I’ll attach the lights with tie wraps to the gutter supports. My question is, is it safe to run an outdoor extension cord in the gutter and down the downspout and connect it to the receptacle close by?
Or do you guys have better ways of doing this?
6
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:13 am to jose
You got outside flood lights? This isn’t up to code, but they sell a light socket receptacle converter that twists into a flood light socket and you can plug the string lights in there. That’s how mine are powered…was like that when I bought the house and still hasn’t burned down, so I reckon it’s good.
ETA: Oh and do not run a powered electrical wire in or down a gutter.
ETA: Oh and do not run a powered electrical wire in or down a gutter.
This post was edited on 7/2/23 at 9:14 am
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:15 am to jordan21210
It probably wouldn’t cost much to have an electrician come out and install an outdoor receptacle under your eaves too.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:24 am to jordan21210
quote:
ETA: Oh and do not run a powered electrical wire in or down a gutter.
My neighbor the electrician did this so I was just asking
This post was edited on 7/2/23 at 9:25 am
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:38 am to jose
I mean, idk, you know I’m not an electrician but running a live electrical wire down/in a metal tube made to carry water just seems like a really bad idea. Maybe someone else can chime in.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 9:52 am to jordan21210
Just gotta make sure you include a drip loop...
I am not an electrician.
I am not an electrician.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 11:50 am to jordan21210
quote:
probably wouldn’t cost much to have an electrician come out and install an outdoor receptacle under your eaves too.
If you have a oscillating tool, and youtube, you can install one of these in about an hour. I make good money during Xmas time throwing these in on neighbors houses. 150/an outlet but still cheaper than an electrician
Posted on 7/2/23 at 12:04 pm to jose
quote:
My question is, is it safe to run an outdoor extension cord in the gutter and down the downspout and connect it to the receptacle close by?
No way Jose.
Safest would be to install and outlet in the soffit.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 12:47 pm to thirstyfish
I went ahead and did what Jordan suggested and got a light socket receptacle converter.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 1:51 pm to jordan21210
quote:
This isn’t up to code, but they sell a light socket receptacle converter that twists into a flood light socket and you can plug the string lights in there. That’s how mine are powered
Same way mine are powered. Made it through Ida and still going strong.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 2:09 pm to jose
Zip tie the cord to the side of the gutter down spout, try and find a slim cord or one the same color as the gutter. Don’t put it down the inside of the gutter
Posted on 7/2/23 at 2:43 pm to jose
This issue is why I have 3 sets of solar string lights.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 7:15 pm to jose
quote:
My question is, is it safe to run an outdoor extension cord in the gutter and down the downspout and connect it to the receptacle close by?
DO NOT DO THIS.
Posted on 7/2/23 at 7:26 pm to thirstyfish
quote:
Safest would be to install and outlet in the soffit.
This is similar to how I have my Christmas lights. I’ll eventually just connect an outlet and run a relay from the extorting outlet.
I ran an extension cord from an outlet in my attic and have it sitting by a vent in my soffit. I then run the lights from the vent by slipping the plug through the side of the vent.
Posted on 7/3/23 at 5:15 am to jose
I would not run an extension cord in a gutter, or a downspout. I have installed outlets in the soffit of my patio cover, and in the rafter areas of my outdoor kitchen (these outlets are enclosed in outdoor rated weatherproof boxes). In conjunction with the outlets I have smart dimmers wired to the outlets to provide flexibility with the brightness of the string lights. I also have smart dimmers wired to my outdoor ceiling fan lights. Makes a nice effect. As for actually hiding the wires of the string lights, why would you want to do that? Part of the reason to use string lights is for their rustic/antique appearance, and the drooping wires between the bulbs is part of that.
This post was edited on 7/3/23 at 8:02 am
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