Our Landscape Light Installation Diaries

The 10-Second Trick For Landscape Light Installation

Without any kind of major electrical experience I went on the search for very easy to mount reduced voltage landscape lights. Low voltage landscape lights are powered with a transformer, that affixes to the cord, that decreases the voltage from routine 120 volts to 12 volts.


I constantly thought I would certainly have to dig ditches and run all sort of cords yet the reduced voltage exterior limelights that I located were so very easy to set up. 30 mins was all it required to provide our cottage a wonderful radiance in the evening. I bought 2 of these light sets for the front of our home.


I probably could have gotten by with fewer lights but the 4 light set was the smallest one offered. After I narrowed down my selections I browsed for lights that had terrific evaluations.






As soon as I obtained them and laid the lights out I understood the 3 and 3 arrangement wouldn't work. Also though I got a great deal of cord with the set, I would have had to dig under the walkway in order to conceal the wire.

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While I figured out a repair I simply set up all 6 by the guest bed room to see exactly how they would look. We are just plugging in lights it's vital to be risk-free and utilize caution when functioning with electricity.


I just stuck the stake right into the ground and adjusted the light. There was a black wire that ran to each spotlight so I rolled up the unwanted from each light and connection covered it making use of the black spin tie that came with the collection.


As soon as the cables were buried I plugged the spotlights into my outdoor expansion cable, that is plugged in to an electrical outlet on the house. To make points also less complicated I additionally utilized a timer. Now the landscape lights switch on and off instantly at set times each night. As soon as the sunlight collection and my lights turned on I went outdoors and adjusted them to strike the front of your home.


Like I said, the tiniest collection I could obtain was 4 lights so that's what I purchased. Once they arrived I mounted them complying with the same actions as the very first collection of lights.

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He wouldn't confess that I was best butI was (Landscape Light Installation).


# 10 gauge exterior wire # 12 scale outdoor wire 1-1/2 in. x 12-in. PVC pipe 1-1/2-in. PVC cap with -in. women string -in. copper pipeline For every ground light: 1-1/2-in. PVC coupler with -in. tee for cord opening Lights One box of weatherproof wire ports Transformer 2 -in. sweat-to string copper adapters Extension ladder Garden rake Level Posthole miner Shatterproof glass Voltage tester Wire stripper/cutter Wrench setvolt me Volt meter A garden spade Aluminum outdoor tents stakes.


Install lights where they won't be easily damaged by rakes or shovels (Landscape Light Installation). Not all plants must be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are appealing lit up even when leafless.


It's a free service and you'll avoid dangerous and pricey shocks. Use 10-gauge wire for the major lines from the transformer to where the lights start, then change to 12-gauge wire between the lights. To Landscape Light Installation hide the wires where they go across the yard, make use of a flat-nosed a knockout post shovel to cut a slot and fold back the turf.

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Considering that the transformer will constantly be plugged in, you have to replace the conventional outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, readily available at many major home renovation facilities and hardware stores. The ground risks that include many upright illumination fixtures are not solid enough (or go deep enough) to keep them nice and straight with time with altering dirt conditions, disintegration, etc.


Using the PVC pipeline, construct and hide a footer that will certainly house the wire links and support your pole extensions (suggested to be made of 1/2- inch copper pipeline). Connect the cords with weatherproof wire ports. These cord adapters have a shield under and a blob of sealer inside that make them weatherproof.


If you're not sure where to start with landscaping lights, you're in the ideal area! Right here is our handy outdoor illumination guide, where we will walk with where to put landscape illumination, what kinds of lights to utilize, and just how to make use of light for the best effect.

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Install lights where they won't be quickly damaged by plows or shovels. Keep in mind, too, that the plants you illuminate will certainly go via seasonal changes. Not all plants should be evergreens, some plants such as hydrangea, dogwoods and sumac are fascinating brightened also when leafless. When you have your materials, your tools and your plan, it's time to call 811.


It's a totally free service and you'll avoid harmful and expensive surprises. Usage 10-gauge cord for the primary lines from the transformer to where the lights begin, then switch over to 12-gauge cable between the lights. To bury the cords where they cross the lawn, make use of a flat-nosed shovel to cut a port and fold back the sod.


Since the transformer will constantly be connected in, you have to change the common outlet cover with an in-use weatherproof cover, available at the majority of significant home improvement facilities and hardware shops. The ground stakes that include a lot of vertical lighting fixtures are not solid sufficient (or go deep sufficient) to maintain them great and straight over time with changing dirt conditions, disintegration, etc.


Using the PVC pipe, construct and hide a footer that will house the cable connections and sustain your pole expansions (advised to be constructed from 1/2- inch copper pipe). Attach the cables with weatherproof cable connectors. These cord connectors have a guard on the bottom and a blob of sealer inside that make them weatherproof.

Landscape Light Installation Can Be Fun For Anyone

Having a solid plan regarding landscape illumination is more vital than you may envision. Appropriately lighting up areas in your backyard and your home throughout the night not only provides a fantastic view of your house however can also prevent possible mischief-makers or thiefs. If you're uncertain where to begin with landscape design lights, you remain in the ideal area! Here is our useful outside illumination guide, where we will certainly stroll through where to position landscape illumination, what sorts of lights to utilize, and how to utilize my company light for the very best result.