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Patreon Exclusive! First project at HQ (Patreon)

Published:
2018-10-11 01:46:31
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

Hi everyone!

I spent some of the weekend on this addition at HQ. The lights in the basement have been replaced with some much brighter fixtures, and this video shows the process. It's kinda long, but I hope you enjoy!

Files

Project HQ: Adding Decent Lighting to the Basement

In this (long) video, I take you through the process of removing two of the bare light sockets in the basement, and replacing them with a two-gang electrical outlet box. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll gaze in wonder at the marvelous technology of fluorescent light!

Comments

Linh Pham

Cracked up when you corrected yourself on NVMe/THHN. I thought you were going for NEMA

Bill Basch

A lot easier to pop those "slots" out for the wires while still on the ground, before you start, rather than having to do it over your head - "forward thinking" :P

L0j1k

Ah, yes, of course! The first project of any new home: The grow room.

Bill Basch

also, whenever you think you need 14/2, buy 12/2 and same principle when you think you need 12/2, buy 10/2 instead, because, remember, no house fire was ever started from using too large of a wire, but the opposite cannot be said. And further, even if fire was not a consideration, many tools and machines and other electrical items perform a LOT better with larger gauge wire, due to reduced voltage drop. This is likely because people seem to grossly underestimate the effect of wire length. And sometimes the advice you get online as far as gauge size vs. wire length seems to come from cheapskates, rather than electrical engineers.

Technology Connections

No need to worry there, the house was inspected and the inspector did just that. I do, however, need to track down two mystery light switches. Can't figure out what they do (have a hunch, but unverified so far). One's a dimmer, too, so it's very strange that it's in place with apparently nothing to control.

Matt Whitlock

Do yourself a favor and invest in some Wago lever nuts. They're immensely better than the classic, screw-on wire nuts because you don't kink your wires up. They're something like 50¢ apiece and come in 2-, 3-, and 5-wire sizes. A little pricy but so worth it for a DIYer who likes being able to change things around later.

Ewen McNeill

As someone from a different country (New Zealand) I did enjoy this video, as a bit more explanation on how US electrical wiring is done. Thanks. I think the equivalent wiring here (for 230V) is called TPS — Thick Plastic Sheath — and is usually 3 core wire, in a flat strip joined by the plastic sheathing. Ewen

Ewen McNeill

BTW for the Radon Piping sticking into the room, I wonder if you could just build the drywall with a gap in it for the pipe, and then build a low “bench seat” that just covered the lowest part of the pipe which came further into the room near the floor. It wouldn’t be fully hidden, and it’s a bit of a compromise. But you’d get it pretty much out of camera shot, and protected so you won’t damage the pipe by bumping into it. Just a thought. Ewen

Sean Yem (2E0SYA)

Loved watching this. Electrical stuff is so different from the UK. Interesting to see. If you ever did change to LED. Costco does really cheap LED Shop Lights which are around 4000K and flicker-free. I used them for Green Sceen. But any way. Loved the update. Look forward to these DIY videos for the rest of the HQ. P.s. What camera do you use ?

Brad Wilmot

"Black to brass, or you'll fry your ass"

Brad Wilmot

I was waiting for you to go AvE on the autofocus... :-)

K.o.R

Those "boxes that attach to the *side* of a joist with nails but face down are quite interesting. Never seen a design like that.

K.o.R

Wago connectors are a thing of beauty.

recursive

Minor safety note: Some eye protection is good for that kind of overhead work :) I noticed you have some exposed PEX water piping. You might want to check if it's the type that's covered with some UV resistant layer, fluorescent light might degrade it.

Wrenly Bewick

Alec, you keep on mentioning how you hate T12 fluorescents. Did you know that you can change out the ballast and install T8 tubes in the same fixture?

Technology Connections

I did, but the trouble is that shop lights are often cheaper than a replacement ballast. Don't understand how that's possible, but unless you're buying ballasts in bulk, it's cheaper to just buy another light.

Jay

Agreed, I won't ever use wire nuts again.

Jay

You made me cringe by checking the wire for power with your finger. Please invest in a non contact power detector. Worth every penny!

Aaron the Tinkerer

Awesome progress! Out of sheer curiosity, why did you remove the existing lamp sockets instead of adding the outlets alongside them? That'd keep more flexibility for the future, I think.

Joanna

Just caught up with your early videos on Edison's cylindrical phonograph [with nod to Alexander Graham Bell's telephone] and Emile Berliner's disc player. Like they were, I think you're a genius! Thanks and keep up the good work. Have you considered going for a PhD? You could probably get full scholarship.

Charles Yocum

If you haven't bought the lumber to frame out the basement yet, have you considered using Insofast panels instead? <a href="https://www.insofast.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.insofast.com/</a> There is a cost premium compared to wood studs, but the stack of benefits (saved pain, lighter material to move, continuous insulation) can make it worth it.

Steve Kohn

Aughh! Wiring a box is simple. What i really wanted to see was how you'd hang the lights from the ceiling all by yourself. Watched for 29 minutes, just to find that part not filmed. Foul ball!

AJay Janschewitz

Some surprises in the video. First, there is apparently no code requirement for GFI outlets in the basement (or near kitchen sinks, bathrooms, etc.). That’s interesting. Second, if you have to use your precious body as a voltage checker, ALWAYS approach anything that may be live with the back of your hand, finger, claw, whatever — that way, if you hit juice, your involuntary muscle movement will draw back towards you. A request: as you light, how about some background on colour temperature of different types of lights?

Chris Miller

Loved the video & can't wait for future ones on Project HQ!

Chuck French

Maybe not right location to request: have you done any videos on Arc Fault Circuit Breakers. Unhappily, electrician installed theses due to code. Now they trip constantly (sometimes before I can get back to the room), because mica space heaters must spark when they turn on. Probably OK if they switch on below peak of sine wave. Now the kids will freeze, but not get shocked by a faulty lamp cord (using only ceiling LEDs.

Jan Hurych

I just paid one USD plus tax to watch this weird American man playing with a hammer. It is strangely enjoyable.

Charles French

My 35 mm Nikons & developing tank & reels in a pile next to door looking for a home 😥 FYI: Free KODAK app. scans film, converting B & W to Positive as well as color negatives to Positive. Love your work.