Thread: CFLs with clamps, outside? Waterproofing?

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Hi guys, Im totally new here, and looking to make my first cemetary the talk of the block.... Even if my neighbors find it obnoxious.

I saw a member using the cheapo silver clamps with CFLs from Home Depot... The effect looks way more awesome than the floods I bought. They are soooooo bright its annoying. I bought the Target $10 LED Blacklight spot, which looks cool on my zombie head popping out the ground, but the floods are really taking over!

How does one water-proof these type of fixtures?

I don't use the silver lamp holders you mentioned, but the also cheap plastic outdoor flood light holders often have a rubber washer that seals the bulb to the holder. We've used that kind even afer a rain without any issues, and the holders are aimed horizontal to slightly upward. Never had to use them during a rain (knock on wood).

I used clamp lamps the last three years in the rain without an issue. Just make sure you have an outdoor extension cord plugged into the socket and you should be good to go.

Im the same boat, I have two of the cheap plastic spot light holders with the rubber grommet, they seem to be water proofish, but like you my yard is over lit with light and I have to turn them off when its bed time otherwise my 3 year old's room is lit up like a circus even with the blinds closed.

I saw somewhere on the forum that someone had just taken an empty 2 liter bottle, cutoff the top and fitted it over the CFL and and taped the other end to the clamp/spot light holder.

I tackled this very problem this year and came up with a really simple, durable, and (dare I say?) elegant solution. I use the metal ground stake lamp sockets with the rubber washer, so I am not sure if this works as well with the plastic ones or not. Last year I had issues with a couple of CFLs because some of them do have tiny holes beneath the glass spiral lamp. I discovered that a jelly sized glass canning jar (that uses the screw on lids) fits perfectly as a globe! The metal ring slides up over the stake and 110 wire to fit snugly behind the socket's rubber seal. The glass jar fits easily over most spiral CFLs and screws tightly onto the canning ring with only a little firm pressure while twisting. I did not have to modify anything! Other canning jars use the same sized ring, so if the jar doesn't over your choice of CFL - simple - use a bigger canning jar! Hope that helps out.

Awesome ideas, I was thinking about takin a trip to Michaels later.

My green spots (100 watts) are ridiculous. haha. They light up the interior of my house at night. Its like blinding.... Although, my house is the only one with lighting. So we would def win coolest Ween house on the block.

I actually purchased a blue CFL with the clamp shade thing last night and tested it inside... It throws so much light. Im very excited. I must put up a pic of my over lit house! I hope it stops raining so I can set it up my other lights tonight!

Thanks guys, Im so glad I found you!

Save those canning jars for peaches! Most CFLs need airflow to work properly. Next time you are in Home Depot take a look at the displayed porch lights. Those encased with glass have a clear incandescent bulb or LED. Only those with open bottoms may contain a regular CFL. Regular CFLs in an encased porch light will begin to "pink" in about two weeks.

hmmm... Interesting, good to know walkingcorpse..

Has anyone used the "blacklight" cfls with the clamp setup?

Nevermind, found a thread on it. I hate asking questions that were already answered... sorry guys.