There is a wide variety of landscape lanterns available that are merely decorative or are designed to use candles or oil lamps. Since so many of us already have low voltage landscape lighting, here is an easy way to retrofit an electric lamp into your decorative lantern.

I bought a cast iron dragonfly motif lantern at a local garden supply store. It was set up for a votive candle. I found an antique pint blue Ball Perfect Mason jar would fit perfect inside the lantern. I drilled a hole in the old time zinc cap to accomodate a General Motors automotive side marker light socket. At left is an example of this socket and the hole that is required. The socket accepts several different lamps from automotive and 12 volt landscape lighting applications.

Be aware that there are lamp bulbs that are brighter and use more amps than the base # 94 12 volt side marker bulb. For safety reasons, be certain your choice of bulb wattage is appropriate for the socket, wiring and transformer you are using. Low voltage lighting vendors offer colored bulbs that fit this push-in style socket. The # 94 auto bulb is available also in amber color. My jar is has blue-green glass, so a clear bulb still throws off a soft color light. A modern clear glass product jar can be used with clear or colored bulbs. The jar you choose should fit into your lantern so that the cap and electric socket are not visible at normal viewing angles.

Here is the only tricky part. You will need to drill a 5/8" hole in the jar cap. Then using a metal file small enough to fit in the hole, cut 2 notches 5/16" wide by 3/32" deep. This will match the bayonet style ears on the socket. It doesn't have to be perfect. To install, align the ears on the socket with the notches in the hole. Then just turn clockwise a quarter turn to lock. A built-in gasket on the socket seals moisture out. Screw the cap onto the jar. The socket can then be connected to the 12 volt lighting system using wire nuts and standard low voltage outdoor wiring. In most applications, the jar should be placed upright to keep the socket out of view.

Don't expect a huge output of light no matter what bulb you use. Most decorative lanterns have limited openings for the light to come out, but this adds to the beauty of it by throwing shadow patterns over the area around the lantern. I found it to be especially appealing in the snow and after a rain. I never considered my Aquascape skimmer cover to be attractive until I added this lantern.

The sockets and bulbs are available from any good auto parts store. The socket always includes several inches of wire, so it is easy to connect with wire nuts. Landscape lighting vendors offer additional bulb choices. Check the total load on your transformer so that you don't exceed its rating. I have mine hooked into my pond's underwater light system. I assume you have read and follow the safety and installation instructions that came with your low voltage lighting system and your local electrical codes. I had to break out the milkglass liner from my antique zinc cap to drill the hole. Modern caps will not have that issue.

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