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Crafting a Light Box

Posted on: 2013 01 28

While doing my Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) research for this month’s blog entries, it has become clear that one of the most effective ways to treat this is with light therapy.  There are many products available out there for you to simply purchase but if you are feeling more adventurous and want to try your hand and building a light box here are some instructions I found on the website Livstrong.com:   Step 1 Paint or spray the inside of your plywood box with flat, white house paint (low VOC). Allow to dry thoroughly before proceeding. Step 2 Drill holes or use your hole saw to accommodate the new round electrical fixture boxes. You will drill two rows of four holes each. Step 3 From the inside of the box, insert the fixture boxes through the holes. Secure with the provided screws. Step 4 Feed the 14/2 Romex from one electrical box to another, allowing plenty of wire inside the boxes so you can wire in the lamps. This procedure is just like running the wiring for ceiling fixtures in a new house, so follow established safety protocols for wire stripping lengths. Step 5 Wire the eight sockets in sequence according to safety protocols. Secure the sockets to the work boxes using the screws provided. Finish the wiring by installing the power cord. Step 6 Screw in the light bulbs. Step 7 Plug in the light box and turn it on.   Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/19496-build-light-box-sad/#ixzz2HPJJSmm9   Tips and Warnings

  • It is important to use non-UV, full-spectrum light bulbs for this project. You may get an effect from regular fluorescent light bulbs, but the full spectrum (sunlight) bulbs will work better. Use the light box for 30 minutes every day, preferably in the morning. There are two recommendations for light box placement: either sit directly in front of the box (one foot away) or elevate the box and allow the light to shine down on your face from an angle above your head. Use the simplest sockets you can find and the best full-spectrum, non-UV light bulbs available.
  • Ensure there is no other device drawing power from the circuit. This light box will cause a significant power draw and may blow the breaker if it overloads the recommended breaker size. Don't sit closer than one foot to the light box, to reduce potential damage to your eyes. You must use common sense and judge whether your electrical wiring skills are sufficient to safely perform the task.

Things You'll Need

  • A 36'' x 18'' plywood box
  • Flat white house paint (low VOC)
  • A drill or hole saw
  • 8 round electrical fixture boxes
  • 8 full-spectrum non-UV light bulbs
  • 8 light sockets
  • 20 feet of 14/2 Romex wire
  • A screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Wire nuts
  • Electrical tape
  • A heavy duty three-prong grounded power cord

References

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/19496-build-light-box-sad/#ixzz2HPJUJZt1  

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