Malibu™ / Halloween Walkway lights.

Lotsa images. Have patience.

So here I was, looking for a cheap way to light the driveway in anticipation of the tots cruising on Halloween. So here's the method I used, at a total cost of less than $30.00. This gets me 10 lamps, the power unit, and the CDS (I used to know what that meant. Really. So let's just call it a "light sensor") cell to control when they are on. So, without furthur babbling, on to the assembly.
The Heads.Here's the 10 candy buckets I got at Wal-mart. $.97 each. (For the math impaired, that's, uhhh, $9.70)
El Cheapo Light kit.Here's the Cheap Malibu™ light kit. 10 low voltage lamp assemblies, transformer - light dectector, and 30 feet of wire. $18.87 (Also notice the really bright spot on the package. Dang, am I a Professional photographer or what?)
Kit goodiesNotice all the stuff in here, most importantly, the instruction sheet. Throw that thing away (We don't need no steenkin' instructions!)
The "Correct" wayOkay, so this is why you nuke the instruction sheet. Properly assembled, the lamps look like this. It's functional, but boring. (And yes, Squirrels will EAT these things. Expect about a 2 year life span.)
Light Socket DoodadPlace the light socket doodad (Technical term) on the bottom of the bucket. Trace around it. You want to make the hole big enough to slide the doodad through, but small enough so the doodad stops on the little lip. Also, drill a few (4?) holes around the edge for water to drain out, if it rains, or the dog think it's a fire hydrant.
Cutting itI cut the large hole out with these snips. (Note to self. BUY SOME BETTER TOOLS!) The amount of time this takes is equal to the sum of the units you need to do, multiplied buy the time it takes to cut each hole, time a fudge factor determined buy the quality of your tools. (A hole saw (factor 0) would make this SWEET!) (Snips (factor 118) suck, this plastic is tough...)
Just about the right sizeThis is the size you're aiming for. The doodad goes in...
fits!But it don't fall out. (It is UPSIDE DOWN in this pic.)
Another oneHere's another one. Note instruction sheet in correct condition. The knife is there for color checking only, do not attempt to use it to cut this stuff. You'll loose a finger. (Or worse, right Mike? <G>)
Parts is partsAssemble as many parts as necessary to make it look like this. Then do it 9 more times. BTW, thats one black, one grey connector. Screw that up, and it won't fit on the wire. And these dang things are TOUGH to take apart. You've been warned.
Don't forgetDon't forget to install the lamp. (Notice clever use of "Soft focus" filter. Yeah, that's it!) PS. If you think original Malibu™ lamps are too expensive, try regular automotive #194 bulbs.
There goes the warrenty card now tooOkay, the lids are designed to shadow the light downwards. This is not good for our purposes, so trim the lid so it just snaps in in place. (Why use the lid at all? It's that rain / dog thing again.)
At this point, you might as well place the warrenty card with the instructions, You don't need it now either.
It's good to go!This is what you want. Nice and trim.
Bright Light.. Bright LightTest it. Yippie!
FinallyPut them inside your buckets. Hot Glue in place. (Say "Hot Glue" quietly, else the wife comes running in from the other room. "I've got the glue gun, I can fix anything.")
Ready to rockHot Glue the riser on the bottom to complete the assemble. Have your daughter hold it so you can see what it looks like when finished. Take the picture with the flash on, so you can't tell it's lit. (See, I AM a professional photographer)
Works, ReallyThis unit is complete, ready to light the way for thousands (Hundreds? Okay 30) visitors.