LANDSCAPE LIGHTING - JUST IN CASE ANYONE HERE IS CONTEMPLATING GETTING SOME

I just got finished installing my landscape lighting and it came out great - at least I think so. I did not want to "hang" string lights all around as I don't care for the look of that and we did need some lighting out back. I had been searching for a company that sells high quality fixtures, transformers and bulbs at reasonable prices. I finally settled on a company called Volt Lighting. The fixtures I purchased are solid brass and the 300 watt transformer is more than adequate for running all of my 18 (5W) lights. That comes to only 90 watts so I have plenty of room for expansion if I decide to add more. They recommend not exceeding 60% of the transformer's wattage rating so I can go up to 180 watts or 36 (5w) lights in total. I also purchased a 500 foot spool of 12 gauge wire, the silicone filled waterproof wire nuts and the rest of the hardware needed for the installation.

The bulbs I bought are 5 watt LED's (equivalent to 35W halogen lights) and the beam they put out is adjustable from 20º - 60º. I did not know what angle beam bulbs to buy for each location so for only a few bucks per bulb more I bought the adjustable beam version. The temperature of the bulbs are 2700 Kelvin (I don't care much for the cool white lights) and they all come with a "forever warranty"! If they ever fail they get replaced free of charge. They also sell infinitely adjustable colored bulbs that you change with a remote, but I chose to just stick with the plane Jane soft white color. Our HOA does not allow colored lights in the front yard anyway (except for Christmas week) and in the Lanai and backyard I did not want to be bothered changing colors. I know some are into that, but I am not.

Volt was easy to order from online and since this was my first time doing this I did have a bunch of questions. Their customer service was very helpful in advising me and fully explaining what I asked. After the order was placed, the 3 heavy duty boxes showed up two days later. Everything was extremely well packaged and nothing was damaged or incorrect. I would highly recommend them and the products they sell, if you are in the market that is.

Oh, I also installed a new dedicated 15 Amp GFI circuit and two zone switches so that I can have the Lanai and backyard lights off if the backyard is not being used. I don't see the purpose of lighting up the rear if we are not actually out there. If we then do go out, I just flip the switches. The lights are controlled by an automatic astronomical time that adjusts for the change in sunrise and sunset every day which I bought from them as well. I installed the transformer in the garage - most professional installation guys mount it outside just because it's easier and less expensive for them. I did not want mine outside! The one "luxury" I did afford myself is that I hired an outside landscaper to dig the trenches and bury the wire all around the property. I did not feel like doing that kind of "dirty work" anymore.

Some in our community have gone Hog wild with their home's landscape lighting but their homes are also a lot larger and fancier than ours. I just wanted some accent and utilitarian lighting, nothing fancy. I think I accomplished that goal. Here are a few pictures of the Lanai, rear yard and the transformer with zone switches. If I can I will post a picture or two of the front later.

NOTE: I have tweaked some of the beams and light locations since I took these pictures and they actually look better now. I also installed and programmed the timer which is not in the transformer box here.

Looks lovely, Chief! Well done!

Tastefully done!

That looks great. I hope you can post some more pics once you're done. Do they actually need #12 wire? That's good for 20 amps. Or is it a single roll of #12 stranded? Did you bury the wire to each light, or just kinda run it along the house or so just beneath the mulch? Interesting. Thanks for showing & sharing.

Wow ! Yes more pics please.

jeffrefrig said:

That looks great. I hope you can post some more pics once you're done. Do they actually need #12 wire? That's good for 20 amps. Or is it a single roll of #12 stranded? Did you bury the wire to each light, or just kinda run it along the house or so just beneath the mulch? Interesting. Thanks for showing & sharing.

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I actually buried most of the wire around 7" deep. There was one spot where I ran it against the house but that is also buried about 5" deep and covered with sea shells. The reason for the 12 gauge wire was to minimize the voltage drop on the very long runs. The system runs on 12 volts AC and there is a voltage drop so I wanted to minimize that. The three runs average over 165 feet each and I used every single inch of the 500 foot spool. I did the research, spoke to the Volt Lighting Company tech and that is what the recommended wire gauge was.

The transformer has different lugs on it that range from 12 volts to 15 volts to compensate for large run voltage drops. I have not yet taken a voltage reading on the longest run, but probably will this weekend. If I see the voltage has dropped too much I can simply move the connections from the 12V lugs to the 15V lugs. Even though the wire is 12 gauge, it is stranded, direct burial wire meant specifically for landscape lighting. It is not rated for in the wall wiring and can not be used for 120 volt usage. The insulation on it is much thicker than Romex and it is made to withstand the heat, dampness, water and cold if you live in a cold climate. No conduit is required.

Pool looks great, whats the address, been freezing my behind up here.

that's just plain mean... lol

Kenna said:

Pool looks great, whats the address, been freezing my behind up here.

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Believe it or not it’s been so cold here (for Florida) we have had the heat on for weeks. It’s been in as low as the high 30’s and low 40’s at night and it snowed about 300 miles north of us in Tallahassee. We have had a bunch of days where it was in the 50’s but it is supposed to start warming up soon. My pool is now in the very low 60’s - brrrr!

Think about a spare parts list. Lamps, sockets, gaskets etc.300watt machine too transformers are easy to come by if ever needed

You are way more knowledgeable about this than I ever want to be!

When Herself wanted lights outside in the beds and trees, we installed solar lights. Not too bright or too dim, they provide a nice ambience.

And, no wires, digging, Ohms Law or stuff like that.

Kevin

That landscape lighting looks great and adds a lot to the backyard! I've installed it several times at various houses where I lived and it's pretty easy but if you call to have it done the places charge you big bucks! What kind of bugs do you have that you need a screened lanai? I spray Suspense SC all around the back porch and house and Raid Fly Spray on the table and chair legs and that keeps all the flies and bugs away. For mosquitos I buy the stuff you hook to the water hose and spray the yard and trees.

We went solar at the lake............

Sorry it took so long to post, I have been really busy lately! This is a picture of the front. For many who might not know, I am NOT a good photographer! they look much better in person. The picture came out grainy and it was not actually that dark out yet.