Thread: PAR30 outdoor spike fixtures?

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I'm trying to find some outdoor spike floodlight fixtures to hold my new PAR30 LED bulbs. The inexpensive spike fixtures Home Depot sells (that I've seen) are for PAR38 bulbs.

Does anyone know of anything made to hold a PAR30 bulb?

Thanks!

Those should work fine. It's just the size of the bell on the floodlight. The stem is the same and the gasket should work as well.

I'm using PAR30 LED lights (from eBay) with those stake lights and it's a great combination.

Hmmmm... I'm not having the same results here.

Attached is a picture of a PAR30 and PAR38 bulb for comparison:
http://www.techav.com/pics/par30par38.jpg

I find I can get the PAR30 bulb into one of those Home Depot $5 spike fixtures, but I have to press down very tightly for the bulb to grab in the socket. But, most importantly, I'm finding that over time (and maybe repeated removal of the bulbs), that the metal socket in the fixture itself is breaking off from the pressure of the tightened bulb. Basically, I'll try to unscrew the bulb and part of the socket comes with it.

So, I'm hoping to find something designed for the PAR30 bulbs...

I think they do fit in OK if I remove the rubber gasket on the fixture, but I was hoping to avoid that.... is that what you are doing?

This is a very easy fix since a lot of people use LED floods on the Christmas side this is what you do. The bases are both medium bases so it will work. The problem as you are finding out is the LEDs are shorted then the par 38s. So to work around this you just need a socket extender. So go to Home Depot and tell them what the deal is and if they can show you where the socket extenders are and you will be in business.

They are probably going to ask you what kind. It will be a medium base to medium base.

Just checked with the wife and the fixtures I have are from a local place called Dixieline and not Home Depot. My PAR30 bulbs work great and fit well with the gasket but the Home Depot fixtures may be different.

I'm going to Home Depot tonight and I'll take a look at the fixtures and see how they compare.

I'll also make a point of posting the brand of fixture that I have now since they seem to work well and other places may sell them.

I played with it a bit more, and I found if I slid the gasket all the way down before screwing the bulb in, it fits OK - still a bit tight, but I don't think I will damage the socket.

I will check out those socket extenders as well. Will they still be weather resistant?

Originally Posted by Kremlar

I will check out those socket extenders as well. Will they still be weather resistant?

Yes, but since they are LED it really doesn't matter as much as if you were using incandescent floods.

You would basically remove that gasket washer that goes between the socket and the bulb now. Then screw in the extender. Put that gasket back on then screw the light in. They are fairly cheap too. Like a buck and a half at the most.

Okay, went to Home Depot tonight and I see what you mean. I bought two to mess with but I may just take them back.

This is what I'm using for my other lights...

Untitled Document

They work perfectly with the PAR30 LED bulbs and the gasket seals tight. They also come with a wall mount base which has been handy for me. The only downside is that they run more than twice as much as the Home Depot holder.

Still, after it's all said and done the difference may be worth it.

Just found a place that sells them for less...

Hectors Hardware: Product Description

Another nice feature I forgot to mention is the six foot cord. That makes placement a heck of a lot easier.

Thanks for the reply!

I think I'm OK with these Home Depot $5 ones... Basically, if I take the black gasket and slide it as far down onto the fixture as possible, the PAR30 bulbs seem to go in without too much pressure. I've done this a few times, and I'm not seeing any damage to the socket.

Thanks for the link! I will keep these in mind if I have any further issues.