Pole Light Electrical Questions

[Charlton John]

I am not overly familiar w/ electrical work and was hoping some of you that have a better idea can shed some light on this for me. I currently have a pole light in my front landscape that was wired to a switch inside my front door. I want to add some more lighting outside mostly up the sides of the driveway. Either more pole lights or some spot lights of some sort. Question is, is it possible to pull the pole light from the ground to get to the wires and splice these and add on to the wiring to run to these other lights I want to install. I would ideally like all these outside lights to turn on by the same switch inside the door. Thanks

 

[Treemonkey1000]

You can do that. But you might want to find out how much of a load is on that circuit. If you turn on different lights or what ever in other rooms along with that pole light. Then flip your breakers until you find out which one turns off the pole light. It does depend on how many lights you want to add on as well. Basically you don't want to overload the circuit.
For "watt" it's worth anyhow that is my opinion.

 

[Western]

Until an electrician chimes in.... It should depend on how many total watts (amps) of the combined run as compared to the supply breaker.

You would need a water tight junction box or preferably run a new wire from the interior switch connected where your existing one is. You could probably up the breaker if needed if the box has room. I think it will depend on how many feet of wire, how many lights and their "draw".

Is there anything else in the house or room connected to the same breaker?

 

[Charlton John]

Until an electrician chimes in.... It should depend on how many total watts (amps) of the combined run as compared to the supply breaker.

You would need a water tight junction box or preferably run a new wire from the interior switch connected where your existing one is. You could probably up the breaker if needed if the box has room. I think it will depend on how many feet of wire, how many lights and their "draw".

Is there anything else in the house or room connected to the same breaker?

Western I am not sure if anything else is on the same breaker I will have to check tonight. I am guessing it will turn out to be about 100 ft of wire from where the pole light is to where I want the new lights. I only have about a 200 ft. driveway. Our road is pretty wooded w/ no street lights so I just want a couple small spot lights or something at the end of the driveway on each side up by the road so I can see where the driveway is when coming home when its dark.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

have you considered solar flood lights?
you generally don't have the easy on/off control, but they turn themselves on/off with light sensors and with a full charge will stay on for 6-8 hours at a time.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Those Solar lights might have to be the better ones. I bought some with the idea of lighting my driveway. Well as most of us knows it rains here in Washington. So the Solar lights don't get much of a charge time. With the daylight being short the solar light only last about 1-2 hours right now. It is not even a month old.

 

[rubycreekted]

I would think that rather than 'pulling the pole to get at the wires' you would want to just make your connection of the new wire for the new light at the light fixture on the pole and run the new wire down the pole and to the new lights. This assumes that the new lights are further form the house than the existing light.

 

[Charlton John]

I would think that rather than 'pulling the pole to get at the wires' you would want to just make your connection of the new wire for the new light at the light fixture on the pole and run the new wire down the pole and to the new lights. This assumes that the new lights are further form the house than the existing light.

Yes the new lights would be about 100 ft. from the existing pole light as mentioned. I agree it would be easier to get to the wires from the fixture as opposed to pulling the pole but I dont think I want the wire exposed running down the pole light, I would rather it be neater and hidden. I would ideally like to do solar. I do get a good amount of light in this area of the new lights but my research and feedback on solar lights does not fair well and dont seem to get to bright or work good enough.

 

[Western]

At my entrance I have cheap solar lights, like a 8 pack for $40. Most of the time they work. I have allot of trees as well so some times the inside lights don't get enough sun. I have the poles "cut" to allow future permanent custom lights I will make, when I get another electric pole since I am maxed out currently amp wise.

 

[hr3]

John,,hmm how would like to have an outlet at the existing pole,, about a foot off the ground,, Use a surface mounted bell box,,out the back of the box run your wires up into the pole and connect to the existing light,," I hope it's a hollow pole"... Then out the bottom of the bell box run a short piece of pipe for your wire to go in to your next light..Put a gfi outlet in the box and it will look like you planed it from the begining..

If load is a problem change your post light bulbs to " LED" or CFL.. Hope this helps..