How to make a Chandelier using Mason Jars

Step 10

All that is left is to install your new fixture.  It is a good idea to have another set of hands during this step to help hold the weight while you make your connections.

Connect your "hot" pigtail to the black wire in the ceiling and the neutral pigtail to the white wire from the ceiling. 

I recommend installing the 3" screws (or whatever size you need based on your housing) to your mounting plate and fitting the housing over these.  You will need to install the acorn nuts and then keep turning them until they hold PVC housing tight against the ceiling. If you do it this way you need to make sure you insert the machine screws into the threaded holes in the mountain plate.

That's it.  I love this unique light fixtures and gotten lots of positive feedback.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Comments

[txbd75]

I built one of these as a prototype with a 40 watt bulb and had hung it in the basement overnight to see if the heat of the bulb in a closed container would cause any problems. Here's what I found:

1. The jar glass was dangerous to touch
2. The insulation of the wire coming out of the jar was hot and very soft, which is how it feels before the insulation melts, which would be dangerous.
3. It is beautiful!

You make these things, so maybe you are doing something else to dissapate the heat. Any ideas? I'd like to make a chandelier with these jars, but frankly I don't consider it safe (As an electrical engineer, I worry more than others).

[timpaslay]

I like that you prototyped and tested it on a small scale and I really appreciate that you are trusting YOUR gut and not just going off of what someone else told you.

Besides the four holes in the lids I haven't made any other considerations for heat dissipation. We have had ours up for two years now without any problems.

Let me leave it on for a while and check jar temperatures and the insulation. I will get back with you with what I find out.