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re: Least expensive way to add low-level lighting to this cluster
Posted on 7/23/20 at 1:53 pm to CAD703X
Posted on 7/23/20 at 1:53 pm to CAD703X
You could probably trench once run everything on the inside of the driveway and then just pull the wire through the culverts to power up the lights on the outside of the driveways.
You want LED lights and pay attention to the color of the lights
You want LED lights and pay attention to the color of the lights
2
Posted on 7/23/20 at 2:06 pm to wickowick
you think volt is the way to go for both spotlights and mounted lighting?
Posted on 7/23/20 at 2:07 pm to wickowick
I personally wouldn’t run it through the culvert, but it would work.
I would start at the furthest location and make one run. Avoid teeing as much as possible, the more places you tee off the wire, the a greater chance of water getting into it and messing it up. If you have to tee, do it at or near the transformer, trying to dig up your yard to find where you put that one splice is not where you want to be in a couple years.
I bought the Lightkiwi kit on amazon a couple years ago and the only issue I’ve had has been the timer on the transformer cracked and was sticking. Replaced it for $35 bucks.
I would start at the furthest location and make one run. Avoid teeing as much as possible, the more places you tee off the wire, the a greater chance of water getting into it and messing it up. If you have to tee, do it at or near the transformer, trying to dig up your yard to find where you put that one splice is not where you want to be in a couple years.
I bought the Lightkiwi kit on amazon a couple years ago and the only issue I’ve had has been the timer on the transformer cracked and was sticking. Replaced it for $35 bucks.
Posted on 7/23/20 at 2:13 pm to CAD703X
I like the idea of solid brass or copper lights, they are a little more than some other brands but less expensive than others. I don't know how they compare to other brands.
I wouldn't splice multiple wires underground, they make little hubs your can install above-ground and run wires from one place to another. Some of the volt lights give you the option to purchase them with 25' of wire which gives the ability to run back to a central hub to connect wires.
I wouldn't splice multiple wires underground, they make little hubs your can install above-ground and run wires from one place to another. Some of the volt lights give you the option to purchase them with 25' of wire which gives the ability to run back to a central hub to connect wires.
This post was edited on 7/23/20 at 2:19 pm
Posted on 7/23/20 at 2:26 pm to wickowick
Both Volt and Lightkiwi are cast brass with plastic stakes. Volt might have a better transformer, but when I was getting ready to pull the trigger I stumbled on that one and saved about $150 for a 6 light kit.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either, just stay away from the Lowe’s and HD stuff.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either, just stay away from the Lowe’s and HD stuff.
Posted on 7/23/20 at 2:53 pm to Citica8
quote:
the more places you tee off the wire, the a greater chance of water getting into it and messing it up
This is true.
Some will have to be done underground unless you run light to light.
The issue with this is; increase of distance. More digging, more wire.
I would just avoid splicing underground as much as possible.
Where you do splice underground, I would use heat shrink to help seal it from moisture. I also would take pictures with good reference points to document underground splice locations in the case a repair is ever needed in the future.
Posted on 7/23/20 at 4:33 pm to southern686
wow ok! every post i feel more educated.
if you look at my original pic; i think i could do this one one long cable. what do you think about this? start at the outlet (red/white square) on the house then work my way connecting the dots (red circles where lights go) and yes this is a very long run but it avoids Ts except where the lights are installed on top of those brick facades.
(just pretend the 2 brick facades on the left are in the pic where those 2 dots are)
this still requires 2 tunnels under the driveway but i just dont think thats avoidable.
i didnt include in the pic but there's another outlet just to the right of the CRV and i would make a second short run from there to a couple of lights behind the shrubs to balance out the ones on the top right.
if you look at my original pic; i think i could do this one one long cable. what do you think about this? start at the outlet (red/white square) on the house then work my way connecting the dots (red circles where lights go) and yes this is a very long run but it avoids Ts except where the lights are installed on top of those brick facades.
(just pretend the 2 brick facades on the left are in the pic where those 2 dots are)
this still requires 2 tunnels under the driveway but i just dont think thats avoidable.
i didnt include in the pic but there's another outlet just to the right of the CRV and i would make a second short run from there to a couple of lights behind the shrubs to balance out the ones on the top right.
This post was edited on 7/23/20 at 4:36 pm
Posted on 7/23/20 at 4:48 pm to CAD703X
Better to make a hub, as you run a long like the voltage drops and the lights at the end of the line will be duller than the first lights in the line
Posted on 7/23/20 at 7:05 pm to wickowick
Are those cherry blossoms?
Posted on 7/23/20 at 7:36 pm to CAD703X
CAD, not one mention of using Hue landscape lights 
Posted on 7/23/20 at 7:54 pm to wickowick
The hub won't work that well for that lighingt layout, its convenient in a shorter flower bed, where there are 3 or more lights inside a 40' span, but multiple hubs would be needed for how that is set up.
Hubs also don't solve the voltage drop issue with that setup, it would slightly reduce it, but a properly sized transformer and running LEDs pretty much negates any dimming or dulling of lights on the end of the line.
Hubs also don't solve the voltage drop issue with that setup, it would slightly reduce it, but a properly sized transformer and running LEDs pretty much negates any dimming or dulling of lights on the end of the line.
Posted on 7/24/20 at 6:49 am to CAD703X
Is there wood in the expansion joints in your driveway? Maybe find one that’s either already rotted out or pull one out. I would think you could lay that low voltage wiring in the void space.
Posted on 7/24/20 at 8:57 am to wickowick
Do you have a control joint wide enough to get a low-voltage wire shoved in there to cross the driveway? Caulk over it after 
Posted on 7/24/20 at 9:13 am to modes
quote:
Do you have a control joint wide enough to get a low-voltage wire shoved in there to cross the driveway? Caulk over it after
i think in either of these cases the wire would have to surface on either side of the driveway to lay across the expansion joint and so i would sever it the first time i edged the driveway.
i'd prefer it to be buried for the entire run if possible.
Posted on 7/24/20 at 9:49 am to mctiger1985
quote:
CAD, not one mention of using Hue landscape lights
seen any on clearance?
Posted on 7/24/20 at 10:40 am to wickowick
quote:
Your biggest issue will be digging under the driveway.
Pull up one of the expansion joints and run the wire under there. You can’t dig out the joint to lay the wire lower and use a conduit to protect it.
Also the drawing suggests you are using lights that you can daisy chain, is that the case?
This post was edited on 7/24/20 at 10:43 am
Posted on 7/24/20 at 11:39 am to NOFOX
No idea. I'm learning as I go on this. I'm definitely going LED and the range issues concern me given how spread out the lights are.
Posted on 7/24/20 at 11:51 am to CAD703X
quote:
if you look at my original pic; i think i could do this one one long cable. what do you think about this?
In short, yes. It most definitely would work.
It would just require more labor to dig, and more wire as the run is longer.
quote:
Also the drawing suggests you are using lights that you can daisy chain, is that the case?
I believe what you are talking about is the actual wiring. If so, when you said "daisy chain" I think what you're meaning to say is wired in series configuration.
Strictly speaking on actual LEDs them self... it's actually preferable to wire them in series configuration.
Dealing with "lights" like this you'd have to ensure the manufacturer allows for it and they are not specifically designed to be wired in parallel.
What we are discussing is wire routing. He can "daisy chain" in terms of wire routing and be wired in parallel or series. (conductor count pending)
The benefit of routing the wire this way is to allow all connections/splices/Ts to be made above ground and not under.
quote:
Citica8
Nailed it.
Using a central "hub" won't make a noticeable difference.
To mitigate the issue of "varying brightness" we would have to dive into:
-wiring in series VS parallel configurations.
-Varying output LED drivers. (power source)
-Voltage drop not being the problem, current is.
Posted on 7/24/20 at 12:04 pm to southern686
quote:
To mitigate the issue of "varying brightness" we would have to dive into:
-wiring in series VS parallel configurations.
-Varying output LED drivers. (power source)
-Voltage drop not being the problem, current is.
i'll go walk the property w/ a measuring wheel and get a sense of the total distance.
i'm not trying to light up the taj mahal; the flagpole which is at the start of the run i would want the brightest followed probably by the 2 trees but i just want some accents; nothing too bright.
i put some temp led spotlights on the 2 trees last year for a hot minute and they looked fantastic but the front of my house faces west and it takes the sun all day to get over the hill behind it so by the time the sun is past those trees and at an angle to get to the lights there's nothing left to charge the batteries.
Posted on 7/24/20 at 12:19 pm to CAD703X
quote:
i'm not trying to light up the taj mahal
I hear you!
When I said "varying brightness" I meant inconsistent brightness.
Meaning the lights you are wanting to install all being a slightly different brightness.
Yep best to start with measuring wheel for cable length needed.
I'd then in this order:
-Pick lights you will be using
-Pick wiring configuration
Only after that is done can you 100% properly choose a cable and correct driver to power them.
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