Basking Light Fixture

justkniel · Aug 2, 2019

I have a question on the basking light fixture. I'm planning a build for a 4x2x2 made of 3/4" plywood. I know that the basking light socket needs to be ceramic and I found this one and the price seemed low:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Legrand-660-Watt-White-Ceiling-Socket/3235942

Would that work?

Also, I wonder about wiring this in the enclosure. I watched a video of someone building an enclosure and they had a similar fixture. They cut the end off of an extension cord, stripped the ends, and hooked that up to the fixture. Then they just screwed the fixture to the top of the enclosure. Is that safe? I saw some posts talking about a wiring box of some sort. Is that needed? If so, how do you use that and what all is needed?

Thanks for the help.

Claudiusx · Aug 2, 2019

Yup thats the exact one I use, except mine is the levitron brand. No difference just different names lol.

I used a box since I was concerned too about the wires being right up against the surface of the wood, but in the builds i'm doing right now, I'm going to figure another way to protect the wires as apposed to using an electrical box. It would be much cleaner of an install not needing to use the box.

So I'm thinking either some silicone rubber (which is non conductive) or an epoxy. I thought about using the liquid electrical tape, but I believe it would melt at temps the fixture might be exposed to.

-Brandon

Claudiusx · Aug 2, 2019

Yeah don't use the liquid electrical tape. Just looked up its SDS and it states it melts at 130~ which isn't really suitable for our needs! :mrgreen:

-Brandon

justkniel · Aug 2, 2019

Thanks for the reply. So if I was going to use the junction box, would I just buy something like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RACO-4-in-Drawn-Octagon-Electrical-Box-with-Raised-Ground-8125/202056160

And then screw the solid side of the box to the wood of the enclosure. Run the wires through that side and connect them to the base. Then just screw the base onto the open side of the box?

Sorry, I'm completely new to wiring something like this.

Claudiusx · Aug 2, 2019

Yup that's exactly how you would do it! If you want to take it a step further, and be a bit cleaner about it, you would use this also:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halex-3...Cable-Clamp-Connectors-5-Pack-20511/100133208

It screws into the hole you punch out to run the wire into the box. Protects the wire from getting cut by the edge of the box.

-Brandon

justkniel · Aug 2, 2019

Thank you so much. That helps a lot.

Basking Light Fixture

justkniel

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Claudiusx

BD.org Sicko

Claudiusx

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