Quad 4w bulkhead build - Complete and lit.

Last month, a collector gave me a 6' fluorescent shop sign light, my intentions is to use that as a light for down the side of my lanterns shed. However one thing did put me off it, the fact it was about 19cm too long. I decided to cut it off, really tidying the fitting up, but then looking at the offcut, I wondered if I could make a second light from that.

After 3 weeks, this is the result, a quad 4w fitting. I had initially debated twin 9w PL, and even 10w 2D, but the latter is too rare now, and there's plenty of 9w PL fittings around. I have quad 8w bulkheads and have built a quad 6w fitting too, but a quad 4w isn't something I had yet made, hence my decision.

To build this, I had to cut two new end pieces to fit, and also design, cut and bend a piece of metal to form a gear tray with which the four tubes will be moved away from the diffuser, whilst also giving enough room for the gear to also fit comfortably too. It's definitely one of my most tightest and compact light builds to date, but its output is really evenly spread and controlled, even going as far as making the 4 tubes look like one even area of light.

When lit, despite being quite bright, it isn't glary in the slightest. I love the way the tubes all merge together to become one uniform area of light, the line of the tubes become almost indistinguishable. Perhaps the most surprising part is heat barely even builds up, however owing the type of metal that's been used for the shell, means its heat dissipation is superior.

This has to be one of my most favourite creations yet, and hopefully very soon when we find the right one, its to be installed on the front of our house illuminating the number of our house, so will see plenty of good service!