Can I convert this light fixture?

[con10twithlosing]

Hey guys and gals. I was trying to brainstorm an inconspicuous way to power my closet grow and I was wondering.

Can I safely run a power strip off of this closet fixture if converted to a plate with a socket? Any help is greatly welcomed as I don't wanna blow anything or start a fire.

 

[Solstice07]

How many watts/amps do you plan on running off that power strip? It'll be fine as long as you don't overload the circuit or the power strip. They also sell adaptors that convert a bulb socket into a plug receptacle.

 

[con10twithlosing]

How many watts/amps do you plan on running off that power strip? It'll be fine as long as you don't overload the circuit or the power strip. They also sell adaptors that convert a bulb socket into a plug receptacle.

I saw those converter pieces you speak of. Is it unsafe to hook a power strip up to those cheap plastic converters tho? Seems unstable.

It would be an aerogarden, 3 cfls, a muffin fan, 3 pc fans and eventually a 150w hps minus the cfls. Think it could handle that much? Also anyone know how hard it is to wire one of the plates with a socket.

 

[Solstice07]

That set-up you described will be fine on a single circuit.

Rewiring your light into an outlet should only cost you about $5 and 5 minutes, if that.

 

[con10twithlosing]

That set-up you described will be fine on a single circuit.

Rewiring your light into an outlet should only cost you about $5 and 5 minutes, if that.

Great! Good to hear I won't have to run a fat wire to my closet now. I'm probably going to have to just buy the socket to outlet piece being I rent and don't want to shut off the breaker to install a new plate. Thanks for the fast reply's Solstice07.

 

[robert 14617]

something like this?

 

[Solstice07]

I've run a refrigerator on my patio using one of those screw-in socket adaptors in a light socket. I wouldn't recommend doing that for a long time, though.

You still need to know what else is on that circuit you plan on using. It's unlikely that your closet light has it's own circuit. But it seems that you'll be keeping the load on that power strip under 500W, so not really a concern. Just keep it out of the water DOH!

 

[Solstice07]

something like this?

Sort of. I was actually thinking of the "buttons" that change the bulb into a plug, but that would certainly work and you would still have the overhead light to work with. There is also a model that has a pull chain that would allow you to turn the light off and on while leaving the outlets "hot".

 

[con10twithlosing]

Sort of. I was actually thinking of the "buttons" that change the bulb into a plug, but that would certainly work and you would still have the overhead light to work with. There is also a model that has a pull chain that would allow you to turn the light off and on while leaving the outlets "hot".

I wonder if they sell those 3 prong tho....

 

[con10twithlosing]

I wonder if they sell those 3 prong tho....

Well turns out they didn't have them but for those interested they DID have little 2 to 3 prong converters for 75 cents at Lowe's.

 

[TeaTreeOil]

75 cents? That's pretty good. Usually they're $1.50 to $2.

Unless you draw over 1800 watts(even this is playing it quite safe) on a branch you're good. I'd suggest nothing over 1248 watts(this is 80% of 13 amps, what most extension cords are safely rated for).

This is based on 120V/60Hz.

 

[Solstice07]

Great advice there TeaTree!