Rubber-based bungee cords do not hold up well against heat and tension
This morning I found the lighting fixture from my top shelf hanging down at a precarious angle. One of the two cords which had been holding it up had snapped, and the other one was fraying. I am very lucky that the lamp hadn't fallen completely, and that both the lamp and my plants are safe.
A more secure setup, using metal chain
It looks like the heat from the lamp caused the rubber inside the bungee cords to deteriorate. I needed a more secure way to hold the light in place. So I went to the nearby hardware store, and picked up 5 feet of metal chain. I wrapped this tightly across the shelf, and used my craft wire to join the ends together. One tangential benefit of using a metal chain instead of elastic cords, is that it added another inch to the lamp's height.
Yea for your entrepenurial spirit. I won't complain about dragging my orchids in and out of their makeshift greenhouse every time we have a cold night. We are very, very lucky to be able to grow outside.
ReplyDeleteOuch! I am so glad orchids didn't get any damage. The chain fixture looks more solid and more appealing to eye than colored cords. You did great job fixing it.
ReplyDeleteMaria, great handy work! I agree with the above comments. It looks to be a much better setup. A couple questions please; what type of wire did you use to fasten the chain and what type of light is the one that needed repair? Did I miss a post describing your setup?
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
DeleteI briefly mentioned my setup in the very first post of the this blog, and then again in my guest-post to Angraecums. I didn't go too indepth though.
The wire is: 12 gage craft wire
Meanwhile the lamp is 125 watt CFL growlight. It's rated at 7000 lumens, and has a 6400K color temperature.
Thankfully I didn't need to repair the light itself--just find a sturdier way to hang it up.