Advice on mounting external sockets in garden

[mikees]

So, need to mount 3x external sockets under 3 mature trees some distance apart.

Planning to take a feed off my the (RCD projected) circuit in my workshop. Have discussed and got sparks to do work with me he's Part P so thats covered.

I want to mount a black MK Masterseal under each tree and to power spots but want socket so that the spot can be replaced with festoons. I'd like to mount the sockets on some sort of metal spike (in black) but struggling to find anything. Alternative would be a 4x4 post cut to 12-18" above ground and then postcreted into the ground.

Considering also getting local fabricators to make me the spikes I'd like out of stainless.

Anyone got any better ideas or done something similar?

Cheers
Mike

[SLacKer]

Use your post 4x4 cut off with these galvanised angled spikes.

You could fit two or four per post and it has the advantage of being removable.

[mikees]

Cheers mate. Good idea. I would rather not have any wooden post just metal but that is purely aesthetics.

Mike

[PH5121]

You could make some spikes using galvanised steel channel/strut. There are a couple of sizes available,21mm x 41mm and 41mm x 41mm. The larger size would probably be better for your use. You could cut a chamfer on it and drive it into the ground or concrete it in. It could be powder coated or painted black.

It comes in various lengths, 3m is usually the shortest. It is available from electrical wholesalers.

The sockets could be fixed to the strut using 'zebs' (sprung channel nuts) which are a shaped nut that fit into the strut and have a spring coil on them. They come in M6, M8 and M10, you would bolt through your socket to the 'zebs', and you can even put plastic end caps on the exposed ends to tidy them up.

If you are using the services of an electrician these are all parts that he would have or be able to easily get.

[Nick Grant]

I mounted mine using the postcrete/wooden post method.

[miniman]

You could easily attach the socket box to one of these using speed screws, perhaps paint it black?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEW-32MM-METAL-GROUND-AN...

[mikees]

PH5121 said:

You could make some spikes using galvanised steel channel/strut. There are a couple of sizes available,21mm x 41mm and 41mm x 41mm. The larger size would probably be better for your use. You could cut a chamfer on it and drive it into the ground or concrete it in. It could be powder coated or painted black.

It comes in various lengths, 3m is usually the shortest. It is available from electrical wholesalers.

The sockets could be fixed to the strut using 'zebs' (sprung channel nuts) which are a shaped nut that fit into the strut and have a spring coil on them. They come in M6, M8 and M10, you would bolt through your socket to the 'zebs', and you can even put plastic end caps on the exposed ends to tidy them up.

If you are using the services of an electrician these are all parts that he would have or be able to easily get.

Brilliant - I'll buy some bits and knock up a prototype.

[Yabu]

mikees said:

Brilliant - I'll buy some bits and knock up a prototype.

Unistrut can be got in stainless or resin/fibreglass but it ain't cheap

There is unistrut deeper than than 41/41 at 62/41 or 83/41 as well as pre welded back to back (double) strut in 21/41 and 41/41 if you wanted, also comes as solid or pre slotted with the holes in the back

Plastic Capping is available in black or white to cover the open side of the channel as well as the end caps mentioned.
Once cut. (Galv paint on any cuts for outdoor use)

You also need to be aware that there are several manufacturers making this as well as "unistrut" and that It also comes as heavy or light duty~obviously affecting costs that you might be quoted.

Not sure wether box section or unistrut might look a little too industrial though..

Initially I was thinking either a unistrut foot or bracket for mounting on concrete or using double strut or 2 seperate pieces back to back with the bottom cut of each at an angle to form a "V" when they were bolted together. However pieces of metal with a mains socket on them hammered into the ground Under a tree, might need some consideration of the earthing and of possible lightning strikes/protection.

Mikees yhm.

Edited by Yabu on Friday 6th May 04:49

Edited by Yabu on Friday 6th May 13:18

[NIIKME]

if you google "fishing bank sticks" or similar you will find a variety of stainless, and powder coated poles with a screw top. all sorts of mounts aswell. might save you some time, and the stainless ones are particularly solid. not cheap though!
eg
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-Bankstic...