I need a photocell for an antique yard light

[FireBrick]

I obtained an antique Farm Light.

The kind you USED to see on poles outside the barn. Big green top metal shade, cream color underside with a single bulb hanging down.

The mounting bracket attaches to the pole/wall, and a horizontal pipe feeds the wires to the socket.

I'd love to install this, but need an inline photocell to turn the light on/off.

Searched Google for a inline photocell. If there was one with horizontal pipe threads it would be perfect.

Anybody have any ideas?

Even though we live in an urban area, we have a country look home/garage.

please and thank you

[HotRdd]

If your handy you could just build one. Whats the voltage of the light? Could you convert a regular childrens nightlight, possible use a low voltage relay if needed?

[John McGaw]

First off, I don't know what you mean by "horizontal pipe threads". Pipe threads aren't used in electrical work. Threaded conduit is relatively common and 1/2" is a common size. And how is a thread horizontal?

A quick Google search for "threaded conduit photo light control" (no quotes of course) turns a large number of hits. Does anything on this page look like what you are thinking of?

[Pete C.]

Standalone photocells are a common item and can be found at 'Depot, Lowe's and probably 1,000 other places as well. Usually a threaded mount to attach to a standard 1/2" port on an outdoor box. They don't need to be mounted inline with the fixture, just wired inline.

[FireBrick]

Found the item. More searching on google found exactly the unit I needed.

I didn't make myself clear though. I knew what I meant, just didn't describe it correctly

the lamp, hangs from a cast head which is threaded to accept a 1/2" rigid pipe. That pipe, would be horizontal to the mounting casting on the wall.

I found a photocell, which screws into a cast electrical TEE (not sure of the exact term for that rectangular box with female threads on each end and a female thread perpendicular to the other two ends.

Simple 3 wire photo cell.

| /-\\-------==---------------() / ^ \\ lamp pipe tee with photo cell on top pipe wallmount I elongated the piping just to get the description to fit.

thanks for the help/suggestions

[HeyBub]

The photocell doesn't have to be anywhere near the light - it just has to intercept the power. Our photocell is mounted on a brick wall and controls three lights as much as 75' feet away.

[zxcvbob]

It probably works better if it's not near the light. It can "see" the light from the bulb and turn partially off if it's too near, even if it's pointing the other direction (glare off the soffit and fascia boards)

Bob

[ValveJob]

Sounds right to me. The light it turns on would turn it right off, otherwise. One of those DUH things.