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Help! No Outside Electrical Outlets!

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34K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  matrixmom  
#1 ·
I thought I had problems at my old place with just the two outlets, but now I'm moving into a place with NO outlets on the outside of the house and I live in the second floor unit!
I hadn't even thought about it because the house itself seemed up to date with new HVAC for my unit, new windows, etc. The landlords like Halloween and love Christmas (they live on the first floor). Now I find out that there are no outside outlets.
I had this problem in the past, but I lived on the first floor and ran cords out from the basement windows. The landlords said they would do that for me, but I'm still worried about my set up. I'm wondering how many cords I'll need and how much power it will draw. I have lights, fog machines, etc. This was supposed to be my big year and I keep hitting bigger and bigger road blocks (no porch or picture window to set up in, having to start over with my planning with less than 100 days to go).
I know worst case scenario I run cords down the side of the house from my own floor, but I'm open to other ideas. And does anyone just how much I can get away with on a single outlet (I think they are 15's)? I know I'm supposed to add up the numbers, but I'm not sure how it all works.
Sorry, I know I half answered my own question, but I'm losing my mind.
 
#3 ·
Luckily I work at Lowe's, I'll have my electrical guy translate that for me. lol Working at that store has some serious benefits some times. I just wish that my store would do something about the employee crisis in my department, its really ruining my life.
Thanks.
 
#8 ·
I run cords from my window also.
But have very limited space because there is a sidewalk. and I cant run cords over the sidewalk.
I have been thinking of some sort of power supply for camping. similar to the set up mentioned earlier. But dont know how much it could run and for how long.
always seems like there isnt enough money to experiment with.
post here your results if you try that idea. seems like a good one.
 
#9 ·
Without seeing your situation I can imagine your horror at discovering no outlets. We added two outlets outside when our house was built and regretted not adding more. We are finally addressing our baren backyard (6 years with no landscaping) and going to be adding a new circuit for holiday lights when we do. However even with the extra power supply we're going with LED lighting as much as possible to drastically reduce the power consumption of our lighting and let us light more. I'd suggest as much if not all LED lighting if you can.

Clearly some items will need electrical power but I would start assessing how many things you can decorate with that use battery-power--being prop or spot lighting.

Being on a second floor, how do ToTers get to your door...indoor staircase or outdoor stairs? Do you have an area to do motion triggered props since you said you don't have a porch? Are you decorating part of the yard below? Not quite sure I understand what or where you have available to decorate.

Also do you set up for halloween night only?
 
#10 ·
To get across sidewalks, I run cords up and over through this lighted arch..I have two of them. They're made out of PVC and slide over the green fence posts....BTW: If you try this, figure out where your sprinkler lines are first before driving the fences posts...and don't forget gas and electric lines too

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