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So without any kind of major electrical experience I went on the quest for very easy to install reduced voltage landscape lights. That implied no electrical wiring or small building and construction. Roger had his uncertainties yet calmly (well, almost calmly) he viewed from the sidelines. Low voltage landscape lights are powered through a transformer, that affixes to the wire, that decreases the voltage from regular 120 volts to 12 volts.


30 minutes was all it took to offer our home a wonderful radiance at evening.


I possibly can have gotten by with less lights however the 4 light set was the tiniest one available. After I narrowed down my options I browsed for lights that had terrific reviews.

As soon as I got them and laid the lights out I knew the 3 and 3 configuration would not function. Even though I obtained a whole lot of wire with the collection, I would have had to dig under the sidewalk in order to hide the cable.

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Bear in mind, I wanted this to be very easy with no excavating and no rewiring. While I determined a fix I just set up all 6 by the visitor bedroom to see how they would certainly look. A quick word of caution. Although we are just connecting in lights it is necessary to be safe and use care when collaborating with electrical power.

I just stuck the risk right into the ground and readjusted the light. There was a black cable that ran to each spotlight so I rolled up the excess from each light and connection covered it using the black twist tie that came with the set.


Currently the landscape lights transform on and off immediately at set times each evening. As soon as the sunlight collection and my lights transformed on I went outside and adjusted them to hit the front of the home.


Like I stated, the tiniest set I could get was 4 lights so that's what I got. Once they arrived I mounted them following the very same steps as the very first collection of lights.

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He wouldn't admit that I was best butI was right.


# 10 gauge outside cable # 12 gauge exterior cable 1-1/2 in. x 12-in. PVC pipeline 1-1/2-in. PVC cap with -in. women thread -in. copper pipeline For every ground light: 1-1/2-in. PVC coupler with -in. tee for cable opening Lighting One box of weatherproof wire connectors Transformer 2 -in. sweat-to look at this web-site string copper adapters Expansion ladder Garden rake Level Posthole miner Safety and security glasses Voltage tester Cable stripper/cutter Wrench setvolt me Volt meter A garden spade Aluminum tent risks.


Set up lights where they will not be conveniently damaged by plows or shovels (Landscape Light Installation). Not all plants should be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are appealing lit up even when leafless.


It's a totally free solution and you'll prevent dangerous and costly surprises. Usage 10-gauge cord for the main lines from the transformer to where the lights begin, after that switch over to 12-gauge cord between the lights. To bury the wires where they go across the lawn, make use of a flat-nosed shovel to cut a port and layer back the turf.

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Since the transformer will constantly be plugged in, you have to replace the basic electrical outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, available at a lot of major home renovation facilities and hardware shops. The ground stakes that come with a lot of vertical lighting components are not strong enough (or go deep sufficient) to maintain them good and straight in time with see this changing soil conditions, erosion, and so on.


Using the PVC pipe, construct and bury a footer that will certainly house the cable links and support your post extensions (advised to be constructed from 1/2- inch copper pipe). Attach the cords with weatherproof cable connectors. These wire ports have a guard on the base and a ball of sealant inside that make them weatherproof.


If you're not sure where to start with landscape design lights, you're in the ideal location! Here is our handy outdoor lighting overview, where we will certainly stroll with where to position landscape illumination, what kinds of lights to make use of, and exactly how to make use of light for the ideal impact.

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Mount lights where they won't be quickly damaged by plows or shovels. Keep in mind, too, that the plants you light up will experience seasonal modifications. Not all plants should be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are appealing illuminated also when leafless. Once you have your products, your devices and your plan, it's time to call 811.


It's a cost-free solution and you'll prevent dangerous and pricey surprises. Usage 10-gauge cord for the major lines from the transformer to where the lights start, then switch over to 12-gauge special info cable between the lights. To bury the cords where they cross the grass, utilize a flat-nosed shovel to cut a port and fold back the sod.


Considering that the transformer will certainly constantly be plugged in, you have to replace the conventional outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, offered at many significant home renovation facilities and hardware shops. The ground risks that include most vertical illumination fixtures are not solid enough (or go deep adequate) to maintain them wonderful and straight with time with changing dirt problems, erosion, etc.


Utilizing the PVC pipeline, construct and hide a footer that will certainly house the cable links and sustain your pole expansions (recommended to be made from 1/2- inch copper pipeline). Link the cables with weatherproof cord connectors. These cord adapters have a shield under and a blob of sealer inside that make them weatherproof.

Our Landscape Light Installation Diaries

If you're not sure where to begin with landscape design lights, you're in the ideal place! Here is our handy outdoor lights guide, where we will certainly walk through where to position landscape lighting, what types of lights to make use of, and how to utilize light for the best effect - Landscape Light Installation.