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How to install a heat lamp?

bliss

bliss

Blue Ridge Dragons
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Ok guys... I went to lowe's, and their "experts" told me that I couldn't install a lamp without having some sort of huge box (transformer?) on the outside, and even went as far as to tell me my idea was useless and wasn't making any sense, especially in terms of "electrical hazards".

So i'm coming here to people who know what they are talking about. :)

Here's the deal.

Questions:
How do I install this, so that it will be right and safe from electrical hazards? Do I really have to have a huge "box" on the back of the cage? If I do have to have a box, would I just be better off buying a different type of fixture, and if so, what do you recommend?

Picture 1 and 2 - Here's where I'll be installing the light.
Picture 3 and 4 - here's the type of fixture, can handle 150watts.

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Spot lighting

Hey Daniel
I'm attaching 2 different pictures on installing those spots, 1 is the right way 2 is the wrong way(if you wanna get technical) these are both in my cages. The first picture is with a UL listed 1/2 plastic blue box (I painted it white) with the correct mounting plate screwed to the top of the cage. 2nd pictures is just the mounting plate itself (no box) screwed to the cage with the connection w/ wire nuts behind the mounting plate
 
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funguy@heart said:
Don't really understand the question. I'm an Electrician that builds acrylic cages on the side. Feel free to pm me and I can help you out.
Click to expand...

Ok, well above is the picture of the light fixture i would like to install.

Basically, what I'm asking is: How can I install this in a safe, hazard-free way without the use of some sort of huge box on the outside of the cage?

(Lowe's hardware is the one that told me I'd need one of the boxes, but I honestly think they were just trying to sell me some crap I didn't need, because that's their job)

@crazycoolpaul

thanks! i'll have to go and look for one of those.

-Dan
 
Hey Paul,

where can i find one of these "UL listed 1/2 plastic blue box" and a mounting plate? Think Lowe's would have 'em?
 
Well i use home depot not sure how close you are to one. But there in the electrical isle, There not a nail on box or an old work box per say, the mounting plates i use are much shallow then the fixture you have because my cages are only 18 inches tall. there just outdoor flood rectangle mounting plates
 
nearest home depot is 45 mins away, and lowe's is only 10 mins away lol.

well, I guess i'll just get a different fixture then. The one i have has a circular base and i'm pretty sure it would be easier to find something like you have.

My cage is only 17" tall, I plan on using a lower wattage bulb. :)
 
Ok paul, while were on the topic of lighting, I have to ask: how far away from the bottom of the cage does the bulb have to be in order to achieve the basking temp of 100F-105F?
 
Ok paul, while were on the topic of lighting, I have to ask: how far away from the bottom of the cage does the bulb have to be in order to achieve the basking temp of 100F-105F?
depending on the cage height, In my adult cages i use the 45 watt spot and the distance from the bulb to the actual basking spot varies in each cage depending on what decor i have for basking, the dragon condo's i have not set any height so this will be determined after everything is set up with trial and error before i put the babies in
 
Ok paul, while were on the topic of lighting, I have to ask: how far away from the bottom of the cage does the bulb have to be in order to achieve the basking temp of 100F-105F?
Click to expand...

depending on the cage height, In my adult cages i use the 45 watt spot and the distance from the bulb to the actual basking spot varies in each cage depending on what decor i have for basking, the dragon condo's i have not set any height so this will be determined after everything is set up with trial and error before i put the babies in
 
crazycoolpaul said:
wow that didn't quote out right lol
Click to expand...

lol.

I'm getting ready to run to lowe's. Paul, I took a picture of your picture on this thread (pic #1)... (So i took a picture of a picture lol).

I'm going to go to lowe's, tell them "this is what i'd like to do", and if they can't help me I guess i'll just have to make the 45 min trip to Home depot where they might could help me better.. I always have liked Home Depot better anyways.
 
Went to lowe's, and finally got my concept into their thick heads lol.

Here's what I came back with.

Ceramic fixture, and a a cord (with a plug already attached).
Does this look safe? It Does work when i plug it in, i've already tried it with a light bulb. I used a little electrical tape to make sure there's no chance of the wires raising up on the inside. I pulled the wire (where the plastic coating starts) out of one of the holes that screws usually go in. The fixture came with a round piece of thin foam like material that you put between the fixture and the surface of where you're placing the light.

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I'm not an electrician, but I wouldn't strip the wires back so far. I would only strip what will be on the terminal.

Also, you can get metal boxes to mount the fixture to, like I have pictured here(also note they make fitted gromets/clamps to secure the wires when entering the box, which I didnt use but should). The box gives you a location to mount everything properly, and also if you have to join wires, you can do so inside it.

If you are using a uvb bulb in the fluorescent fixture, I like to hang mine near the basking spot.....just helps to get the dragons to make use of them. Figure if they are basking, then they are using the expensive uvb bulb you have.
 
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