Converting a light socket into a grounded outlet
by
Jan
+11
This is what I see every morning! (see photo) Yes, I could (and do) sweep it but with my back "out" on occasion it's hard to sweep them the full length of our walk... every day! :) Sometimes they are 6 inches deep (lots and lots of trees over our home!) HERE IS MY "QUESTION: I would like to convert a light socket into a grounded outlet (outside) for a leaf blower. I have seen them for 2 prong conversion, and I have an outside light on my porch .... but am concerned that a large leaf blower (with a grounded outlet) may carry too much wattage to do this safely. Thoughts?
7 answers
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You are right to be concerned because usually lights are wired with 14 gauge wire and sometimes outlets are wired with 12 gauge which is heavier. Plus the age of the wire etc. but it can be done.The biggest concern you may have is the circuit breaker and how much is already being pulled on that circuit. My blow dryer blows a breaker every time and so I have learned which outlets can carry the load. What you may consider is just running a heavy duty extension cord from inside the house out the door or even a window on a circuit that the refrigerator, microwave or any other appliance does not run on. I have a Sears leaf blower and love it and have a 100ft cord. I too have tons of trees and leaves and those damn acorns. The leaf blower cannot be one with anything else on in the garage or the breaker blows or the tools barely work. Leaf blowers are great but I want to make sure you wear ear protection and know that your hands will go numb after a while using it especially if you have any kind of nerve issues. I have to rotate each hand every few minutes and take breaks. it is not a pleasant feeling when your hands are numb. lol good luck and hope this info helps
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Nov 19, 2014
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That does help. :) Thank you! @The Garden Frog with C Renee - I hadn't thought about the ear protection... should get something for that! I laughed when I read about your hands. Unless you have experienced that... you wouldn't "understand". I do. lol I have used it for the walk before by running the cord inside. I was trying to keep it outside because my mom ( 93 ) just gets SO cold when the door is even cracked! Plus she worries about "some little something" crawling in when the door is open. You know.... I do have some of that HEAVY DUTY extension cord .... and an outside outlet on the other side of the house that MAYBE would work. But... the cord is a 2 hole cord.... Hmmm... now, I wonder if I can get an adapter to make it a 3 hole grounded extension cord? Or maybe just buy a new cord for this purpose only? Thanks for helping my brain kick into gear! (better safe than sorry for SURE!)
Jan
on Nov 19, 2014
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Looks like I will be placing an order soon! :) Thanks again!! :)
Jan
on Nov 20, 2014
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We just purchased a small, light weight, rechargeable blower that is great for sweeping leaves. I like it SO MUCH BETTER than our old electric one and all the cords. Here is a link to the one we bought... ... http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fm.tools-plus.com%2Fmilwaukee-0884-20.html%3Futm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_source%3Dfroogle%26utm_term%3DMLW0884-20%26gclid%3DCj0KEQjw_byiBRCu9qm5lc28ufgBEiQAWq-ta3WfM_7t58IDvhNVYW6OmJis5rEAOfiG_UBgSx_taAUaAj6b8P8HAQ&h=WAQENr-H8R
Donna Shipley
on Nov 20, 2014
- See 2 previous
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This is a tool that run from a walll socket and it might be illegal and dangerous to run it from a light circiut and may cause a fire ot an overloaded electrical joint as light circiuts have many of those to serve multiple lights on the same breaker. Easiest is to find a outlet socket inside the house on the outside wall where you want to use it and get a qualified person to drill through and install a weather proof outlet socket outside. Hope this help.
Meyndert Borrie Bornman
on Nov 20, 2014
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@Donna Shipley do you mind sharing with me which one you purchased? How long does the charge last?
Jan
on Nov 20, 2014
- See 2 previous
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@Meyndert Borrie Bornman - thank you! Yes, I decided that an acual wall socket will be my best way to go. I remembered one on the side of the house that I can use and just need to buy an adapter for the cord/blower because the blower is grounded and the extension cord only has two holes...... Thank you for affirming this concern. I do NOT want to cause a fire for sure!!!
Jan
on Nov 20, 2014
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