[NABRIL]

Hello
I have 16 Nuvo model 76/656 light fixtures in my backyard. Some of them point upward to up-light tall palm trees, and 6 of them point downward from the fence. Those 3 pairs are screwed into a round junction box facing downward.

Fallen palm tree fronds (green or brown) or coconuts have cracked a few of them as shown in the picture. I wrote to the manufacturer, and they have been graceful to send me replacements. I've suggested that they strengthen the neck of the fixture, but it probably won't happen.

I am not looking to shame the company at all, and I simply seek suggestions for 110v fixtures that have a stronger neck, and that I can attach to a round junction box. Or some other type of fixture that might be a bit more resistant to falling objects.

 

[NABRIL]

This is what they look like unbroken

 

[Oso954]

Putting a stronger piece there is very likely to move the point of failure elsewhere (to a more expensive part).

You are dropping heavy weight bombs from X altitude and expecting the target to take the hit.

Good luck with that.

Trim the trees or move the lights are options. Otherwise buy a pile of those spare parts while you can. Realize you will need to change them once in a while.

 

[Shadow99]

Falling coconuts are covered under ANSI Z.13.4.1.i)iv)

That's a Canada spec thou, and a very stringent spec, because when the coconuts fall up here they are frozen :biggrin2:

 

[NABRIL]

Putting a stronger piece there is very likely to move the point of failure elsewhere (to a more expensive part).
You are dropping heavy weight bombs from X altitude and expecting the target to take the hit.

Trim the trees or move the lights are options. Otherwise buy a pile of those spare parts while you can. Realize you will need to change them once in a while.

I know that this is a losing battle if I do nothing. I have 4 spare lights, at a cost of $18 each.
Moving the palm trees is not an option amd neither is moving the lights since I have palm trees all over the place.

 

[3onthetree]

Give the downlights a helmet, like out of wood or a hose hanger or something, uplights need a cage

 

[NABRIL]

Give the downlights a helmet, like out of wood or a hose hanger or something, uplights need a cage

3 ON THE FREAKING TREE - you are wise, ingenious, wise, and astute.
I thought of a similar solution by perhaps putting a 2x4 on top and screwing it to the fence, or something similar. But, anything that falls from 30+ feet will have tremendous force and will probably break what it hits. That hose "helmet", properly secured, will probably work. And, if I ever need to hang a hose, or a tire, or any round object, i've got 3 places to do it.

THanks again

 

[Calson]

I woud focus my attention on keeping the trees pruned so as not to have damage from a falling limb. Lucky in some respects that it only hit the outside lights.
There are "safety" light fixtures that are made for areas where they can be hit and most are weatherproof.

 

[NABRIL]

This is what I ultimately "designed". I owned the wood already, and the bracket costs $2 at harbor freight.

Yes, cleaning the palm trees is crucial, but palm fronds fall on their own, and they're too tall to be reached.

Thanks all

 

[Oldmaster]

Don't know your skill level but you could build some sort of artwork, maybe like a sun or flower to protect the fixture. I welded an aluminum half sun to cover a fixture I had. Ended up fabricating 6 more for people. Sold them for $30.00 each. Probably worth more but enjoyed making them.

 

[huesmann]

Wire cage around/above the fixture?

 

[NABRIL]

Wire cage around/above the fixture?

The great huesmann - of course, I'm trying to maintain aesthetics. I realize that my tabletop looks a bit hokey, but painting it the color of the fence appeases me a bit, and one day I'll see bird on it perhaps, or an owl, or a penguin. The more likely scenario is that I'll see garden lizards do pushups on it, and one of the big fronds will fall and crack that 1.5 inch wood in half and send it all crashing down.

 

[huesmann]

Alternate thought: if you don't ever need to re-aim the lights, reinforce the joint that breaks with some kind of cast material—concrete, plaster, etc. Then you can paint the whole schmear the same color as the fence.

 

[NABRIL]

Alternate thought: if you don't ever need to re-aim the lights, reinforce the joint that breaks with some kind of cast material—concrete, plaster, etc. Then you can paint the whole schmear the same color as the fence.

Hue and brightness - I've thought about that as well, but that neck is so frail that even if I encased it in titanium or Boron or some other element, it would break off. The palm fronds fall from about 40 feel in the air, and they're big and heavy.
Stay unbored