A solid brass oval bulkhead light in the style of a ship's fitting. In the photo, a grid-patterned brass cage sits over a cover of clear, ribbed glass, which is held in place by four small swing clips, and a cable fitting sits at one end. The ribbed glass spreads the light into a warm, patterned glow. It is listed as outdoor-rated, weather-sealed and hardwired.
It comes in three sizes, in two finishes: Brass and Black. It suits a front door, a porch, a side entrance, a garage, a passage, steps, a boat shed or a garden wall, in a traditional, nautical or industrial setting where you want a solid, classic light.
Which size should I choose?
There are three sizes. The first is ⌀ 8.6″ × W 3.9″ × H 8.6″ (about 22 × 10 × 22 cm), listed with a diameter. The second is L 9.6″ × W 6.5″ × H 4.3″ (about 24 × 17 × 11 cm), and the third is L 9.4″ × W 6.7″ × H 3.9″ (about 24 × 17 × 10 cm), both listed with a length and a width. The second and the third are very close in size, and the third is a little lower. The photo shows an oval light with a cage over the glass, and it shows one size, so please ask us which style belongs to each size before you order, and tell us where you will fit it, for example beside a door, in a passage, on a porch or in a boat shed. How the listed length, width and height relate to the way you mount it is not listed, so please ask us if you need the distance it stands out.
Which finish should I choose, Brass or Black?
There are two finishes: Brass and Black, both with a brass lamp body and clear glass. The photo shows the Brass finish, a warm, golden tone with a satin shine. Whether the brass has a protective coating is not listed, so please ask us before you order. Solid brass can slowly change tone over time, especially outdoors, which many people like, so if you want it to stay exactly as it looks in the photo, please check with us. Black gives a stronger, more modern look on a light wall. Finishes can look slightly different from a screen to your wall.
Is it really suitable for outdoors?
Yes, it is listed as outdoor-rated and weather-sealed, with a brass body and a glass shade. The exact rating, such as an IP number, and whether it is rated for damp or wet locations are not listed, and whether it suits a coastal or salt-air location is not listed either, so please ask us before you order, especially if the light will be fully exposed to rain or spray. As a general guide, it is best placed under an overhang or a porch roof, and it should not be sprayed with a pressure washer or a hose.
What are the cage and the clips for?
In the photo, a brass cage with a grid of bars sits over the ribbed glass to protect it from knocks, and four small swing clips hold the cover in place, in the style of a ship's bulkhead light. A cable fitting at one end of the body is where the wire enters. How the cover opens to change the bulb, and what kind of cable fitting and seal it has, are not listed, so please ask us before you order, and do not force the clips.
What bulb does it use? Is it included?
The listing gives the socket as E26 / E27 medium base, and it recommends an LED bulb. E26 is the standard screw base common in North America and E27 is the standard screw base common in Europe and many other countries, so check the base before you buy a bulb. The maximum wattage, how many bulbs it takes and whether a bulb is included are not listed, so please ask us before you order. The glass is clear and ribbed, so it softens the light but does not hide the bulb, and a warm white bulb gives the amber glow you see in the photo. An LED bulb also runs cooler than an older type of bulb, which is kinder to the glass and the seals.
How much light does it give? Can I dim it?
The ribbed glass spreads the light into a warm, patterned glow, so it works well as a welcoming light beside a door, along a wall, on a porch, in a passage or beside steps. It is not a floodlight. The brightness depends on the bulb you choose. Dimming, a motion sensor, a light sensor and a timer are not listed for this light, so please ask us before you order. It is hardwired, so it is switched from your wall switch, and no other control is listed.
How is it installed, and does it work in my country?
It is hardwired, which means it is connected directly to your wiring, so it should be fitted by a qualified electrician who follows your local rules, including the rules for outdoor wiring and for sealing the point where the wire enters the fitting. The voltage, the weight, the mounting hardware, whether it is meant for a wall or a ceiling, and the wall types it suits (for example brick, concrete or siding) are not listed, and the right bulb base depends on your country, so please tell us your country and ask us before you order.
How do I clean it?
Switch off the power and let the bulb cool first. Wipe the glass with a soft, damp cloth and a mild cleaner, and dry it. Use a soft brush to clean around the bars of the cage and the clips, where dust collects. Wipe the brass with a soft cloth and avoid abrasive pads, strong chemicals and metal polishes unless we advise them, because they can change the finish. The glass can break if it is knocked, so handle it with care, and check from time to time that the cover is closed properly and that the fitting is dry inside.
