Saturday, April 30, 2005

Lutron Maestro & Grafik Eye Controls

Is there a way to control 2 lights from one location and control each light separately from 2 other locations. I''m trying to set up reading lights in the bedroom that are contolled from each side of the bed as well as at the entrance.

It is possible to control one light or switch leg on a three way system from both ends by using a Lutron Maestro Dimmer Control. However, you can't control two separate switch legs from one master device without going to a Lutron Grafik Eye wall box control system. By locating the Grafik Eye within site of the bed you can use the Hand Held Remote as well as individual Keypads next to the bed to control the lights. You will have ablility to set fade rates as well as scenes for the ultimate in controls. The Grafik Eye units comes in 2, 3, 4, and 6 zones units.

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Thursday, April 28, 2005

What Are The Best Ways To Illuminate Picture & Art Lighting?

You have to have the right art lighting for every painting, because color does not exist without light. Special rooms are created to allow you to hear every nuance of good music; light provides the same for color. With insufficient or incorrect art lighting, you do not see what the artist was seeing when they painted the work in the studio.

Lighting art allows your favorite paintings to come alive with its true colors, unseen since it left the art gallery, all possible with fine art lighting. A marble statue gleams as if it is illuminated from within because there is no light spillover. Carving art lighting to fit is the best way of illuminating. From picture lights, art lighting of paintings and portraits, to unobtrusive ceiling spots to optical projectors used in homes and museums, our company stands tall as a pioneering innovator in the use of light as an applied science (Click here for more information to shine up your picture & fine art collection).

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Basketball Court Lighting

how much wattage will i need to light up a 50''x100'' outdoor court. want to mount a light at each corner, plus one in the middle on both sides for a total of six lights. what type of amp and wire size if im running wire a total of 350''. thanks.

Lighting a basketball court is very similar to lighting a tennis court. You want good low mast lighting fixtures that will illuminate the playing surface without creating glare. I would recommend four of our 400-watt metal halide sport court lights for your 50'' x 100'' court. Please give us a call toll free at 800-239-2939 to learn more about your particular application and how easy these lights are to install. The toal amperage per fixture is 3.33 amps @ 120-volt and 1.67 amps @ 240-volt.

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High Pressure Sodium Outdoor Lights

We have a high pressure sodium yard light that starts and goes out then starts again repeatedly changeing the bulb work the first time but not this time.We would appreciate any suggestions, Thank you, Dan.

If you have changed the bulb the problem is most likely the ballast has failed. Your best bet is to either find a replacement ballast or probably purchase a new fixture. You might find the cost to be more attractive to replace the fixture. Here is a link to our selection of high pressure sodium fixtures.

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Outdoor Lighting Kits

I am looking to install landscape lighting in my yard, but really have no idea where to start. I've heard that the lights that you purchase at Lowes or Home Depot eventually corrode and rust. I would like to see what you guys have in the way of products and installation information. Several photos of my home are online so you can have a better idea of what I am working with. I am looking for a rough total price. Obviousally you wound have to estimate cable lengths. The photos are located here: http://www.stevenvanhorn.com/outdoorlighting. If you have any problems viewing them email my son and he can help you (steven@stevenvanhorn.com) Thank you in advance,Phyllis VanHorn

We are glad to help you with a professional landscape lighting design. Just give James a call at 800-239-2939 and he will more than happy to assist you or your son. You might take a look at our pre-packaged outdoor lighting kits that we have available for small, medium and large homes. These quality low voltage lighting kits come with everything you need to do the job and are very easy to install.

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12 Volt Lighting Transformer

I have a load of about 360 watts at 12 volts. What range of wattage will support this i.e. if I buy a 600 watt product, will it work ok?

I would recommend that you purchase a Techlight 500-watt transformer or Techlight 600-watt transformer for your currnt load. That way you will have room to expand your system in the future. You might take a look at our DESIGNING LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING SYSTEM page for load calculations and wire sizes.

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Mission Style Lighting

are there any motion detector outdoor lights that are also mission style/or prarie style for the outside of our house?

We are in the process of adding Mission Style fixtures to our web site and may have just what you need. You can always install a motion detector between the switch and the fixtures to control all the lights on the switch leg. Contact James in customer service at 800-239-2939 for more information regarding other mission style fixtures and motion sensors.

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Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Dimming Electronic Transformers

I purchased a 7'' track light with 9 50w halogen mr16 bulbs and an end connector with cord and switch (60Hz 120V) that converts hardwire transformer unit to electric cord and 2 prong plug with on/off switch extension cord. This is for use in portable traveling art display. Is it possible to connect a dimming switch to this setup. Thank you.

You most likely have a set up with a 12 volt electronic transformer from what you described. You can dim the lights if you use the right dimmer contol such as a Lutron Dimmer - Diva - DVELV-300P rated for 300-watts. To accomplish this you will need to make a small box with a cord and plug to house the dimmer. You will also have to use 20-watt lamps to stay under the dimmer capacity. I don''t see any reason why you cannot use this set up for a portable display.

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Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Hubbell Outdoor Light Fixture Replacement

I have to replace 25 hubbell 309ML fixtures. It''s a cast aluminum bullet with a sealed glass lense for outdoor damp locations. Do you have anything good to replace the Hubbell product?


Thank You

Sure we do! The TEC TLR38-BZ bullet is a perfect replacement for the Hubbell 309M if you are using a PAR38 lamp. For HID applications such as Mercury Vapor or Metal Halide landscape lighting fixtures I would take a look at the Mercury Vapor Lights and Directional Accent Lights.

Please contact customer service at 800-239-2939 for quantity pricing!

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Lighting Art With Low Voltage Recessed Lights

I am looking for 10-14 not too expensive halo or lightolier recessed cans (low voltage) to light paintings on walls. Ceilings 12 - 14 ft. recommendations??

Well, my favorite all time inexpensive low voltage accent light is the Halo H1499RT/1420P. This fixture is very easy to install and handles up to a 50-watt MR16 lamp. The small slotted aperature does a great job of minimizing glare without restricting the light. For large paintings you can use two lights mounted at oblique angles to overlap the light. To finish of the job, you will need a dimmer control to set the mood. I would use a Lutron "Diva" dimmer designed for low voltage lighting.


We have these products in stock and ready to ship!

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12 Volt to 120 Volt Socket Adapters For Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

i''m running low voltage wire and want to know if i can use light fixtures that are not low voltage in current - i''ve been told i can use 12 volt light bulbs - will it work?

Yes! You can use low voltage lamps in standard lighting fixtures if used in conjunction with a 12-volt transformer. The sockets in most line voltage fixtures are generally rated for up to 600 volts. However, you might have to buy a special adpater to accomodate the smaller lamp unless you purchase a light bulb designed to operate at 12-volts. For example, we have a special 25-watt A19 light bulb that will fit most fixtures that has a medium base. We also carry a wide variety of socket adapters to fit most confirguations. Here is just one example of converting from medium to intermediate base lamps.

Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. Call Toll Free at 800-239-2939

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Low Voltage Outdoor Landscape Lighting Design

I bought four spot lights which are low voltage 10 watts each. I am going to use them to point at my house from my garden. My objective is to make my house look big and tall and also elegant. I am not sure how to position the lights to accomplish my goal. Any advice to how close and which angle I should position the lights in front of my house?

The best way to establish where to put the lights is simply to do a nighttime test. Assemble the kit and move the lights around until you like the way it looks. Then mount the transformer and bury the wires.


FYI - ten watt fixtures may not satisfy your needs as well as you would expect. We have many pre-packaged high performance low voltage lighting kits that make projects easy. Please let us know how your project goes and if we can be of further assistance.

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Designing Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting Systems

Can I use different wattage low voltage light bulbs in the same circuit?

Sure! You are only restricted by the capacity of your transformer and the size of the wire. Your transformer should have the exact capacity on the label. As for the wire, 14/2 guage wire is rated for 15-amps, 12/2 is rated for 20-amps and finally, 10/2 is rated for 30-amps. You might want to check out our sample wiring diagrams to help you calculate your specific load.

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Outdoor Soffit Lighting Techniques

I want to down light my exterior stone walls around my patio. The soffit is 9'' up and I don''t want any glare on the patio area, just a soft light to highlight the natural stone walls and provide a gentle indirect light to the patio area Can you recommend a fixture type and wattage?

Thanks, t.m.

I like the Halo H99RT/993 50-watt incandescent recessed down light for soffit lighting. It is easy to install and does a good job in shallow locations. I would recommend that you install a dimmer control to set the light level and extend lamp life.


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NEW Mood Lighting, Antler Chandeliers, Thomas Kinkade & Golf Course Lighting Products from RLLD!


Springtime is here! At Residential, Landscape, Lighting & Design, we have been adding many exciting and interesting new products to our extensive selection of lighting equipment. We have lighting fixtures that can strike any number of "moods:" quiet, romantic, rustic, or contemplative...


Click on the headings below to read more, or browse the full product selection.


Traxon Mood Lighting.


Whether you desire a mood that is festive or meditative, romantic or light-hearted, these sophisticated products can create just the atmosphere you desire. Perfect for nightclubs, bars, restaurants, studios, or any indoor space that might benefit from unique lighting schemes, these Traxon Mood Lights are available in many shapes and sizes.


Click here to view our full selection of Mood Lights.


Antler Chandeliers & Antler Lamps.


Perfect for lodges, cabins, restaurants or other rustic-themed indoor spaces, our new selection of antler chandeliers and lamps provide light, as well as natural inspiration. Using elk, mule and deer antlers, these chandeliers are expertly wired with high quality lighting fixtures and mounting materials, blending beauty with practicality. Some of these chandeliers are fitted with pioneer-style wagon wheels, which add to their rugged, outdoor appeal.


Click here to view our full selection of antler chandeliers & lamps.


Thomas Kinkade Lighting.


Thomas Kinkade has been called a painter of light. These quality lighting fixtures by Westinghouse Lighting Company live up to that bold claim! Each of these indoor/outdoor lighting fixtures, bulbs, nightlights, mantle lights and accent lamps bear the Thomas Kinkade name, and offer the same appreciation for warmth, beauty and light as the artist whose name these products bear.


Click here to view our selection of Thomas Kinkade lighting products.


Golf Course Lighting.


Managers or owners of golf courses, putting greens, driving ranges or other outdoor golf recreational facilities can find solutions to all of their lighting needs here at Residential, Landscape & Lighting Design. We carry a full line of general outdoor lighting fixtures such as commercial light poles, flood lights and security lighting as well as specialized golf lighting products made especially for use on courses or putting greens.


If you have questions about any of the products described above, or anything related to your residential or landscape lighting application, do not hesitate to contact us! You may reach us, toll free, at 1-800-239-2939. Our friendly and helpful staff of lighting professionals can assist you in finding the best products to illuminate any project.


Sincerely,


the RLLD team

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Outdoor Oak Tree Landscape Lighting

I have an old oak tree--about 100 years old & probably 50 feet high. I would like to light the large old under branches. What light combination would you suggest from among your products?

You have several options for up lighting the canopy of your historic Oak tree. One is to mount a large rectangular flood in the crouch of the tree above eye level. For a tree that big I would recommend a 175 or 250-watt mercury vapor with a glare shield. We have smaller fixtures in both size and wattage if you want a softer look. This looks the best if used in combination with down lights. Another way is to place one or more mercury vapor bullet fixtures concealed in the shrubs with the hub mount option. This approach does not create a hot spot in the tree and showcases the truck as well as the entire trunk and the crown of the tree. Both methods work well, it really depends how well you can hide the equipment. Call me at 800-239-2939 for for more specific advice!

Click Here to see all MV rectangular box floods

Click Here to see our 175-watt MV floods

Click Here to see our 175-watt bullet MV up lights

Click Here to see all our MV bullet lights

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Saturday, April 23, 2005

Outdoor low voltage dimmers

Is there any way to include a dimmer in an outdoor low voltage lighting system? I am currently planning on a system with 12V Focus copper landscape lights and a stainless steel or fiberglass transformer.

Use a low-voltage magnetic dimmer by Lutron. This dimmer is placed on the 120V side of the transformer.

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Low Voltage Outdoor Deck Lighting

I am in the process of having a deck built. I purchased some Malibu kits of 7 watt bubble lights that I intend to have mounted to the rail posts on the deck and steps. Although the instructions clearly show how to hook everything together, they don't give any tips in the way of what is the best placement for the fixtures. I had pictured putting them close to the top of the posts so they can shine a broader light onto the deck surface below, but the only picture on the carton of them mounted shows them very close to the surface of the deck/steps. I now am wondering if maybe 7 watt bulbs are too weak to be mounted any higher--that if I put them higher on the posts than about a foot or so from the surface of the deck, the light might dissipate too much to even hit the floor of the deck. I'd appreciate your thoughts on this. One of my ongoing issues with low-voltage lighting is that I don't know any way to guess what quantity of light any particular fixture is going to give before it is installed.

The best thing about low-voltage lighting is the flexibility. You can plug in the lighting transformer and run a supply cable out to your deck. Then set a few lights on the rail and use quick connectors to temporarily provide power. Now you can experiment with placement. These deck lights are typically placed one to two feet about the walkway, so to light the path and not shine in your eyes. It is fine to install them above the eye level.

Click here for more information on deck lights.

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1-800-239-2939