By Dave Rongey Summary:
Electrical Lighting Question: I have a really cool vintage motorcycle headlight that I want to make into an indoor lamp.
Check Out What Others Are Sharing at Ask the Electrician: I really like it. Just get to what is important easily..no fluff! Phil from Branson, Missouri.
How to Convert a Motorcycle Headlight Lamp into a Light Fixture
I have a really cool vintage motorcycle headlight that I want to make into an indoor lamp.
How do I change the power supply from a battery to standard indoor electric power cord.
Will a regular lamp kit work or does the headlight have to be converted somehow?
Thanks Crystal.
Hi Crystal - Great Electrical Repair Question!
Well Crystal to convert this jewel to a 120 volt lamp you'll need to install a 120 volt rated lamp socket and 3-wire lamp cord, the third wire being a ground.
Find out what the original Watt Lamp was and find a 120 volt lamp socket and bulb that will fit nicely into the housing.
The intent is to protect the fixture and the user, and make it safe to create a cool conversation piece that will be around for a long time.
Creative people such as yourself restore older fixtures quite a bit. The biggest factor is to Ground it and also that the polarity on the socket is correct. Neutral on the outside portion of the lamp socket and the Power to the center point of the socket.
Let me know if this helps, and I'd Love to see the results of your handy work, maybe you can email a picture!
Electrical Wiring Video #2
Electrical Wiring Tips for Home Electrical Wiring Projects
Tripping Circuit Breaker, Outlet at a Wall Switch, Light Fixture without a Ground Wire, Help with Home Electrical Wiring Projects.
See more House Wiring Videos from Ask The Electrician:
Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handywomen, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more.
Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution:
Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Important:
Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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