Sunday, November 26, 2006

What is the best way to install step lights on wood pillars?

I have ten pillars that I want to install wall mounted low voltage lights to. Planning to drill hole through wall, approx 16" to back side - run lamp cable through hole then on to the next, etc. and connect to transformer. Distance between pillars is approx. 5 feet. What transformer(s) should I use, do I need two? Any technical suggestions? Does this lamp come in any other finishes? Thanks.

Sounds like a good plan. I would split up the runs to the Arroyo 12 volt step lights into more than one feed. That way you will not experience dim lights caused by voltage drop.

Check out our designing low voltage lighting systems information page for valuable tips and suggestions.

I would purchase a Techlight 300 watt outdoor lighting transformer and Techlight 12/2 direct burial cable for a successful installation.

For now, all we have is verde green in this model. Feel free to contact RLLD toll free at 800-239-2939 for more step lighting ideas.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Why are my low voltage outdoor lights so dim?

I was wondering what the best wattage transformer and wire I could use for the lights? I have a one fixture which is about 45 feet from the power supply and when I had a 300 watt transformer with 12 gauge wire the lights were really dim the further from the transformer you got. Any ideas?

Check out our DESIGNING LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING SYSTEM page for specific solutions

Assuming you have 300 watts total on 12/2 cable that is overloaded. Split the lights into three home runs back to the transformer and that will solve the problem. FYI - 300 watts divided by 12 volts equals 25 amps. 12/2 wire is only rated for 20 amps!

Thanks for shopping with Residential Landscape Lighting & Design. We are here to help and look forward to your call. 800-239-2939.

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Sunday, March 12, 2006

Will the Lutron lamp cord dimmer work on a 12 volt lighting system?

Hello! Can this dimmer be spliced into a cord carrying 12 volts, to a lamp with three, 60-watt halogen lamps? Since the load is only 5 amps, it would seem that a 120 volt switch like this one would work fine. Thanks in advance for your reply.

NO. The LUTRON LAMP CORD DIMMER is designed for 120 volt operation only.

The only way to dim these low voltage lights is on the primary side of the transformer or 120 volt side with an ELECTRONIC DIMMER CONTROL or MAGNETIC DIMMER SWITCH.

Thanks for the question. We look forward to assisting you here at Residential Landscape Lighting & Design. Call us toll free 800-239-2939.

http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com

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Saturday, February 25, 2006

How can I convert a standard wall sconce to a low voltage light?

Can the Justice Design light fixture be order in low voltage to be connected to our landscape lighting system already in place with timers?Any other styles available in low voltage for wall mount (fence) locations?Thank you, Kathy

By using a special 12 VOLT MEDIUM BASE LIGHT BULB you can connect any wall sconce to your low voltage lighting system. As long as the fixture has a medium base socket and you have 12 volt power going to the light, you are in business.

We appreciate you visiting our website and hope that we can be of service in the near future. Thanks for shopping at Residential Landscape Lighting & Design. 800-239-2939.

http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com

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Wednesday, October 12, 2005

What size wire do I need for my low voltage lighting system?

I want to install 8 20 watt fixtures what size of wire should i use? thankyou

That depends how far you are going with the lights! My rule of thumb is no more than 100 watts on 100 feet of 12/2 wire. So, if you split the lights into several home runs, you will be fine. Try our WIRE CALCULATOR!

DIRECT BURIAL CABLE

TRANSFORMERS

ACCENT LIGHTS

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Friday, September 02, 2005

Low voltage lighting system layouts and designs.

i have a 600 watt tranformer 275 foot of 12 guage wire the wattage of the lights i have total 540 watts can put the lights all on one or do i have two splits in back of my transformer

You will need to split your lights into at least four feeds to properly distribute the correct voltage to your lights. Check out our DESIGNING 12 VOLT LIGHTING SYSTEMS and SAMPLE LAYOUTS to verify my suggestions.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Lighting trees and shrubs with grade level or stake mounted lights.

I have an African Sumac tree, Purple Leaf Plum tree, and a 4'' Pygmy Date Palm that I am trying to uplight. My question is, what would be the difference between using an in-ground well light or a spot light? Also, would it be better to use a wide or spot lamp when uplighting these.

It really depends on the foliage or lack of foliage around your trees. For example, if you are working in the lawn area, a GRADE LEVEL LIGHT would be more practical and attractive. If you are working in a flower bed, a STAKE MOUNT UP LIGHT is better because you can adjust the light as the plants grow as well as hide the equipment.

I typically use SPOT LIGHTS on taller trees or structures that require a narrow beam spread to focus the light. For short trees or shrubs, a WIDE FLOOD LAMP is a better choice.

We have a great selection of PRE-PACKAGED LOW VOLTAGE OUTDOOR LIGHTING KITS to make things easy or GRADE LEVEL UPLIGHTS if you go that route. Check out our DESIGNING A 12 VOLT SYSTEM information page.

Give us a call at 800-239-2939 for more information or assistance placing your order. Which product you ultimately select with determine the wattage and color of the light.

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Thursday, August 11, 2005

Voltage calculations for low voltage lighting systems and 12 volt wiring.

Dear Sir / Madam: I would appreciate if you could tell me what size/type LV transformer I need for a 12-Volt circuit (12-Gauge) that runs about 120 feet and carries fixtures totalling 200 W. Thank you very much, Linos

You might try using our handy POWER CABLE CALCULATOR to find your answer. We also have a very good informational page on DESIGNING LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING SYSTEMS. Good Luck!

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Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Help me design my outdoor lighting system!

To Whom It May Concern, I am in the process of designing the front exterior portion of my home and am looking for an electrical/lighting designer to list all the items that I will need. Based on your website I believe I can specify the lights required but need help with respect to the best layout of conduit and underground cable, their connections, and lastly how to daisy chain the lights into circuits. Do you provide these services or can you direct me to someone who does?Sincerest regards, Robert Maylan

James in customer service is very qualified in helping you DESIGN A LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING SYSTEM. He can be reached at 800-239-2939 between the hours of 9:00 to 5:00 CST.

We have a great selection of LINE VOLTAGE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT and LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT as you know.

Did you check out our OUTDOOR CEILING FANS and OUTDOOR SPEAKERS to finish off your project?

We look forward to serving you!

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Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Hampton Bay transformer is tripping my circuit breaker.

I have a 600w transformer from Hampton Bay. It is tripping the breaker in my main panel sometimes. It will go between 2 and 10 days before tripping the breaker. I do have it plugged into a GFCI but it has never tripped the GFCI.

That sounds like a wiring problem to me. The GFCI should most certainly trip before the circuit breaker. You might want to investigate the house wiring first, and then address issues with the Hampton Bay transformer. If you need a replacement 600 WATT TRANSFORMER check out this one we have on sale.

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Wednesday, June 22, 2005

How do I know what size wire to use for my low votlage lighting system?

We get asked the that question all the time! Designing a proper low voltage lighting system is fairly easy to do if you have a good understanding of the terminology and electrical formulas. To better assist our customers, we created a POWER CABLE CALCULATOR.

Check out our selection of 12/2 LANDSCAPE CABLE and 10/2 LANDSCAPE CABLE.

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Monday, June 20, 2005

Can you tell me what kind of outdoor landscape lighting fixtures are use for moonlighting?

We are interested in upgrading from our low voltage lighting system to a more sophisticated look. I have seen some mercury vapor fixtures at my neighbor's house up in the trees. Can you point me in the right direction?

MERCURY VAPOR BULLET FIXTURES are the light source of choice for most professional landscape lighting designers who do tree lighting. The soft blue light is complimentary to plant materials, has a long lamp life and is relatively efficient to operate. It' the closest thing to real moon lighting!

MERCURY VAPOR BOX FLOODS are used to illuminate tree canopies, tree groupings or other areas that need a large quantity of light. Smaller MV BULLET UP LIGHT FIXTURES can also be used for smaller trees as fill light.

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Thursday, April 28, 2005

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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