Hello,

I'm hoping you guys can point me in the right direction for how I'd like to wire the lights in my darkroom.

In a room in my basement we've been tearing down the ceiling tiles, and cleaning up the cobwebs and wiring.

I have the existing room light switch that runs to a junction box on the ceiling, and then out to where the old light fixture was.

Here's where I need your help:

I would like to wire two sets of light sockets off that lead.
(one for regular/white lightbulbs, and one for red/safelights)


I think I know how to daisy chain several light sockets from that original lead,
But I'd like to perhaps install another switch after the junction box so that I can
Choose which set of light sockets is getting power.

Can anyone help? Draw me a map?


Thanks!

The lights can all share a nuetral, but you will need another wire for the second circuit. That being said, would you consider pull chain fixtures for the lights rather than switches? In my darkroom I found it easier to locate a pull chain in the dark than fumble for a switch. I kept the strings around shoulder length so they would be easy to find.
Back to your situation. You can't really put a switch "after" the junction box unless you want the original switch to turn off everything, and the second switch to control some of the lights only if the first switch is on. If you want two separate circuits, just duplicate what you already have by adding a wire.

The lights can all share a nuetral, but you will need another wire for the second circuit. That being said, would you consider pull chain fixtures for the lights rather than switches? In my darkroom I found it easier to locate a pull chain in the dark than fumble for a switch. I kept the strings around shoulder length so they would be easy to find.
Back to your situation. You can't really put a switch "after" the junction box unless you want the original switch to turn off everything, and the second switch to control some of the lights only if the first switch is on. If you want two seperate circuits, just duplicate what you already have by adding a wire.


Thanks for getting back to me, MB...

You make some good points there. I wonder: if I got rid of the first switch altogether,
Just used the line from junction... could I install a 3 position switch? So I could switch between red, off, and white?

Thoughts?

Thanks

They have switches that have the 3 screw terminals, switch like a 3 way, but have a center off. They are commonly used for shutters(They are Maintained)The one you want.
I like momentary for shutter switches(also SPDT) so power is off when switch is released.
Can get in Decora style or old style.

They have switches that have the 3 screw terminals, switch like a 3 way, but have a center off. They are commonly used for shutters(They are Maintained)The one you want.
I like momentary for shutter switches(also SPDT) so power is off when switch is released.
Can get in Decora style or old style.



Strat,

Thanks a lot. I think that's just what I'm looking for.

I'm hoping the local homedepot has this kind of switch?


Thanks everybody for reading

Don't think they will, I would try eBay, pricegrabber, this one shown is expensive:
http://assets.twacomm.com/assets/pdf/15160.pdf

It may be beneficial to have in separate locations, Red light at the door, less likely to turn on by habit. Then have the white light switch on opposite wall? Plus cheaper.

It may be benificial to have in seperate locations, Red light at the door, less likely to turn on by habit. Then have the white light switch on opposite wall? plus cheaper.



Yah, I can totally settle for having two switches

So forgive the newbie question:

But can you describe for me the way I would run the wire from the junction,
And split it into two lines to the two switches?

Thanks again

In line with the pull-string Idea. I've been using this since I as a kid. The pull string instead of just hanging, it's brought to the door, so, in escense the string is about 8' long running near the ceiling and thus it's easy to find.