Install Hinkley 54000 Spot Light
I have an USA Flag flying on a pole in my front yard with a spotlight. The halogen light has not been lasting very long (maybe a month). It is time to upgrade to a better light. I choose the Hinkley 54000 all weather spotlight to see if I could get better results. This installation will be for replacement of an existing fixture. If this is an new installation you will have to follow the local guidelines and permits for running a 110 volt power line to your location. As with any outside electrical installation, make sure you have it on a ground fault circuit.
If you think that you would have any trouble with installing the electrical part of this project, please consult with a qualified electrician. Do not want any shocked customers.
Getting started
After replacing the bulb in my old fixture for the 5th time this summer, I decided it was time to get something that would last longer. This was the third fixture of this kind that I had purchased. I looked at several different fixtures and decided on the Hinkley 54000 from Shop 1800Lighting.com
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Look at the tools needed for this installation. If your installation is different you made need additional tools.
When the package arrived a few days latter I looked at what I had received and made my plans to replace the old fixture. Follow along as I take a step by step look at the things that you will need to do to make sure that your fixture will give you many years of service.
Remove old fixture
If you are not comfortable with working with electric, get a qualified electrician to install your fixture.
The first step in any electrical work is to make sure that you do not have any live power to your fixture. If the fixture does not work you will need to check with some kind of current tester as seen in the picture.
When electric is off remove cover from old fixture and take a picture of the wires and how they are connected. If done properly the white will connect with white and black will connect with black or red. All of the bare wires will connect with the green wires, as these are ground wires. Take off all of the wire nuts and undo the wires from the fixture. There may be more than two of each color if you have a circuit interrupter at the electric box, make notes on the wiring if you do not have detailed pictures.
Undo the nut where the fixture connects with the electric box, then unscrew the old fixture.
Installation and Wiring of new fixture
Push wires through the mounting hole and screw the fixture in until is lines up with the item that you are going to highlight. Tighten the nut, final adjusting will be done when the light is on after it gets dark to get the proper illumination of your object.
Now is the touchy part, you have to start connecting the wires back to match the picture or drawing that you have made. It should be simple just match the colors and all should go well. After making sure all of your connections are tight, close the cover on the box.
Inserting the light bulb will require to remove the front of the fixture. One set screw will have to be taken out and the front wiggled off. After the bulb is inserted the front is reinstalled and the set screw replaced.
Testing new fixture
Time to turn the power back on to your new fixture.
Depending on what type of interrupter that you are using to time your light, you will have to make sure that it is in the on position to make sure that you have proper current running to your new fixture. Mine is a dusk to dawn, so I put some electrical tape over the sensor and made like is was dark.
If your light does not work check your electrical connections and your interrupter for problems.
After dark you will want to make any minor adjustments with the alignment of your fixture, you will only be able to get the full effect of what is illuminated after dark.
Conclusion
This fixture has been working for two months without any trouble. I would recommend the Hinkley 54000 from Shop 1800Lighting.com for your outdoor space highlighting needs. It was easy to install in my existing box to replace the old halogen fixture.
If you have any questions or comments use the form below.
There are affiliate links in this post
Thanks for reading,
John
This is an excellent product review. it’s very helpful and the actual HInkley is so much nicer to look at compare to the old lamp. I don’t usually do very well with this kind of DIY, I’m better with anything that doesn’t involve wires and electricity but I think that with this guide I could do it. My wife will be delighted 🙂
Nigel,
This is only for those who feel comfortable with electric, do not attempt if you have any reservations. Get a qualified electrician.
This is a very good looking light and works well.
John
Thx John for the great Hinkley review. I’ve been looking for a good spot light for outside, and this is the brand that I’ve been looking at. Id like to get something that is safe to use all year around and nice and bright. The way that it lights up the flag pole it looks real bright, have you noticed any condensation inside the lens? I’m wondering how water proof it is, usually condensation is the first to show up inside.
Richard,
These fixtures have a rubber seal to keep moisture out of the head. It is a triple row and seals very tight. I have not noticed any moisture yet.
John
That sounds great thank you for the reply John. Now I’m just going to have to convince the wife 🙂
Richard,
Good luck with that, have her read the article and see how well this light works.
John
I found your post very informative and interesting. It sounds like a great product. Do you have any other uses you recommend it for besides lighting up a flag pole. Also I think you could add the specs of the light like how many watts it is. Also you could compare it side-by-side with other lighting fixtures.
John,
This fixture can highlight any item. Changing the type and spread of the bulb will change the area illuminated by this fixture. The maximum wattage for the bulb is 75, but you can use less if you just want to have some mood lighting.
John
Was doing some research on the Hinkley 54000 Spot Light because I just bought one for our cabin. It gets pretty dark in the middle of no mans lands and I wanted to add this light to cover the house. I was having trouble with the wires and the instructions were sub-par. After reading your article, I have a better understanding and next time I go up, I will try and get it working. Cheers
John,
Did a video when the fixture was installed. Have to get it edited and will post here. This will help those that have questions.
John
Does this light tend to attract insects and other bugs when evening sets in? I’d love to keep a light out on our flag that’s just off the porch. But I usually end up bringing it in from the outside because nighttime bugs are so attracted to our porch light we use to keep the flag lit. Any suggestions?
Sarah,
The type of bulb will determine the ability of this fixture to attract bugs. I have bugs around my flag pole, but the bats rally do like this and I get several each night during the summer. It makes them stay away from the front porch are where we like to sit at night.
John
Hi Chris,
I really like these spotlights as they are so pretty and effective. I don’t really like the size of the hinkley 54000 though… can you suggest anything smaller for me that is very discreet but will still have the same level of impact?
Thank you for your help and advice
Holly
Holly,
There are similar spot lights that are smaller. Just with the smaller fixtures, you will have to go to LED bulbs to get the same amount of lighting as you get with the regular bulbs. I will do a post on LED spot lights and let you know what is available.
John
Besides Hinkley, just curious to know, what other brands are they which is quite high in demand and popular?
Mentioning Hinkley, two months without an issue means this item has all the attribute and quality which is undoubtedly convenient to customers.
I guess it’s a DIY product considering that a electrician isn’t needed as it’s simple to set it up.
Tar,
Kichler is a great brand that is very good in spot lights. It has been six months and I have not done anything with this fixture and it works without any problems.
I can do this myself, some that do not have any background in electric work should at least consult with a qualified electrician.
John
I am not very handy with installing things like lights. I found your step by step instructions clear and easy to follow. We are in the market for some outdoor lights. This light seems rather powerful, though. We have a much smaller space. Would you recommend something like this for a larger area or would it work ok for a small space like a patio?
Heather,
This fixture is for highlighting a feature in your outdoor space. If you are just trying to light a smaller area to sit or hang out, use the lights that I have here. I have several tips on what to use where. If you have any other questions please send me a note.
John
Thanks for this great review. I do need a few more lights in my garden and have been looking around for a while already but haven’t been able to get the correct one.
After reading your article / review of the Hinkley 5400 I definitely will check them out and hope they are as good as described by you.
Thanks a lot
Cees
Cees,
This is a very good spot light for highlighting any feature in your outdoor space. I use mine with a dusk to dawn sensor to light my flagpole. You can use any type of switch with this fixture to change the timing of illumination.
John
Wow, you are proud to be an American. I love the flag and the light that you keep on it. I’m interested in running some outdoor lights myself. What if I do not have an outside outlet? Or, if the outlet is not in the right spot at all. Can it still be done? Any posts for people like me who need a lot of help with outdoor lighting? I like the light. I have an outdoor light in the back and this would be great…to have it last so much longer. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for looking and your interest in outdoor lights. You do have to have a proper voltage power feed to the location for the fixture. You do not have to have an outlet near the fixture. Any feed of a power line to an outdoor lighting fixture must be from a source that has a ground fault, this will short out the power if the wire is shorted in any way. If you can send a drawing of your outdoor area and where you want fixtures I can recommend a lighting power run. Because of local building codes I may not be able to help you, as a lot of local codes are different for different cities. Getting a local qualified electrician is your only other person that will be able to give you an estimate on what is require in your local area, some will give you an estimate without cost.
John