Thanks but I'm looking for lights that turn themselves on and off every day, I don't want to have to go down and "light" them. There are some other lights on the Rockler site that look interesting, might get one to see how hard it would be to make a small block to adapt the flat light back of the lights to the round pilings.

Several "dock" lights I've seen are made to mount to the decking, but I'm afraid I would trash them when shoveling the snow off of the dock.

I'll give the conductive grease idea a try, but since the current bulbs are push in ones, with one contact on each side, I'd need to make sure not to let the grease create a short circuit between the two sides.

What I really need is something long and skinny that I can attach vertically to the pilings with a waterproof housing that doesn't cost $100+ each. Not to demanding am I??

-Greg

cmpact flourescent bulbs last a lot longer than incandescent.
There is a line of commercial grade CF's with 3 year guarantees on bulb and ballast. They cost 4x as much as the hardware store versions but they do outlast the guarantee period.

mcollinstn - But where can I find some good, weatherproof, compact fixtures for them?

Hi Greg -

I put some really nice compact flourescents on my dock in Florida two years ago. They are only 7 watts but light the dock really well. They have a number of different styles. I got them in Sarasota. I'll be down on November 11. I know I have a box in the garage, so I can give you the manufacturers info if you call me then. 941-779-2049.

Barry,

Thanks. I'll try to remember to call and see what they are. My one concern with florescents is if they will "start" when it's cold out. I replaced all the florescents in my garage with Halogens as the florescents wouldn't light off in the winter.

-Greg

Greg,
Let me know what you end up doing. I am building a pier on a house I recently bought in the Keys and haven't decided on lighting for the pilings... Let me know...

Cold weather starts take longer on a CF for sure, but mine have always eventually started after a few minutes. I guess it depends on how cold is cold...

And weatherproof? Any globe style cover should be good enough.