Outdoor Lighting

Landscaping and Outdoor Lighting
There is one big secret about outdoor solar lighting.  It is not powerful enough to really give you the look you want.  Electrically powered lights can be much brighter and show off your yard much better.

Transformers
Landscape lighting is low voltage.  It runs on 120 volts ac and is then reduced to 12 volts by a transformer.  The transformer also serves as an automatic timer for the lights.  Most transformers have a dusk/dawn switch; as well.

The transformers are usually 300 watt or 600 watt.  To know what you need, add up the watts you are going to put on the line and make sure it comes under the amount the transformer can handle. For example, twelve ten watt bulbs is 120 watts and you would need a transformer to handle 120 watts.  If unsure, just buy the higher watt transformer.  It doesn’t hurt to have extra capacity. 

Transformer Installation
The transformer should be installed outdoors.  They can get quite hot and are so are safer outdoors.  They have a short power cord on them for safety.  Don’t add an extension cord.  This is bad.  Instead, mount the transformer right next to the outdoor outlet. 

How to Choose Wire
Outdoor wire sets typically come with 14 gauge wire.  In most situations, this will work just fine.  However, to be on the safe side use 12 gauge wire. Twelve gauge wire can carry 300 watts, 14 gauge wire can carry 200 watts and 16 gauge wire can carry 150 watts.  Add up your watts being used, and then make sure the wire can handle that many watts.

Styles
Lantern, tulip, or tiered lights are for pathways and flower beds.  They shine out across the ground evenly.  Floodlights point upwards and put out more light.  They are best to illuminate trees, tall shrubs, and statues.  The ideal landscape should have a combination of tiered and flood lights.

Prices
A kit with 10-12 lights, a transformer, and wire will cost around $300.00.  Led lights are, however, more expensive.

Led Landscape Lights
The new led landscape lights are brighter than halogen lighting.  In addition, they use less watts.  They are a better choice, but they cost two to three times more to buy.  Over time, we can expect the price to come down.

Outdoor Lighting Design
The typical installation will consist of a lot of tiered lights and a few floods.  At the very least, you need to light the front entryway, garden paths, and flower beds.  The appropriate use of spot flood lights make a big difference.  The tiered lights should be no more than 10 feet apart and there should be at least two spots per tree.  Any unique hardscape items should be shown off with floodlights as well. 

Installation
You don’t have to worry a lot because you are working with low voltage wire.  It can be run across the top of the ground or lightly buried.  The lights are put on by simply clamping then on the wire.  It’s very simple.  A good railroad pick will make digging a small trench for the lines quite easy.  The most difficult part is mounting the transformer.  This can be accomplished by using plastic anchors and screws.  Tranformers are quite heavy and should be installed with care.