converting lamps

Hey All,

I know this topic has been covered before - what I can't find are approximate costs or ways to know if your lamp is a candidate for conversion.

I've got several Walmart/Home Depot lamps that match my taste and living room set - but are not simply replaced.  Original prices range from $20 - $40.

According the movers, there will be plenty of room in the container, so there is no extra cost to ship them.

So, does a conversion cost $10 or $50+?  Can I buy the materials myself?  Is there a way to determine ahead of time whether or not they are suitable for conversion?

Danke
Holly

Hi Holly,

The actual wiring connections are easy.  The fiddly part is figuring out the best way to mount a replacement lampholder and thread the cord through the lamp base, which depends very much upon the design, obviously.

The holders on table lamps are generally mounted via a threaded boss at their base, so as long as you can find some way to adapt an existing bracket or mount a new one it's not too difficult.   Depending upon the origin of the lamps and the threads used, you might even be able to just screw a British replacement straight on, otherwise it will be a case of changing the mounting nipple as well for one with the correct threads.

Either way, it's not that difficult and if you don't mind spending a little time to do the job yourself, it's relatively cheap.   A replacement lampholder, cord, and plug shouldn't cost more than £5 ($10), even at High Street prices.

The DIY chains such as B&Q (like Home Depot), Wilkinsons etc. sometimes carry full lamp wiring kits, but a little backstreet electrical shop is often a better candidate for carrying a wider selection of the "extras," like mounting nuts and nipples, brackets, and so on. 

You might like to have a look at this site to see a selection of the types of mounting hardware and lampholders available:

http://www.s-lilley.co.uk/site/homeframe.htm

All of this is assuming you have just a regular table lamp.  If they're dimming types or those fancy electronically controlled types where you just touch the metal base to switch on and off, then conversion is almost certainly not worthwhile, unless you want to forego all the fancy stuff and just convert them to a simple lamp with on/off switch in the cord or on the holder.

Danke

Bitte!   

Great info Paul.  Thanks again!

Just a follow-up for those people moving to the UK who love their lamps!

Four of mine (purchased in the US) were already wired for 240volts.  UK bulbs fit into the Edison sockets.  All I had to do was change the wall plug.

It cost me all of 8 pounds to convert the four of them!

Thanks for this info. I'm moving my stuff to Dublin this spring and I didn't really want to get rid of my beloved Pottery Barn lamps. I'm going to investigate them further when I get home!