I just purchased a new batch of 12v Par 36 LED bulbs for landscape lighting purposes.
Usually when you buy this type of bulb you buy it with the plastic housing (sometimes they are made of brass, etc. for 'upscale' applications) which also employs a metal bracket inside that the bulb snaps into....and also has pivots so you can tilt the bulb as needed.
So this time I bought just the bulbs with no housings.
Since this type of light is meant to go in the ground and flush with the surface (they are usually referred to as 'well lights') I need some type of housing for them. I could buy the housings themself but they run around $20 each and to be honest I never liked their design - the metal bracket inside tends to corrode for one thing.
So tonight I was looking at some stuff I had laying around and for the heck of it took a section of flexible 4" drainage pipe to see if it might work for a housing. Lo and behold, the bulb sits just about flush with the diameter - so I'm going to go ahead and try to mock one of these up for trial purposes.
Remember that because these are LED they don't heat up like a traditional halogen bulb does. So I think I can affix the bulb right to the tubing.
I can also drill a 1/4" hole in the side for the cable to enter/exit. Cut them about 10" long so 6" can be below ground with 4" sticking up to allow for mulch.
Going to be interesting.....but if it works I'll be set!
