Landscape Lighting

[Anonymous]

How do the individual lights connect to the main wire? Is there some sort of clip with pins that stick through the insulation? I suspect that is the source of your problem. Some of the clips are not making a good connection to the main wire.

I have several sets of landscape lights around my backyard (lighting up the area around the pond, pathway, etc.). Whenever I wire landscape lights, I turn on the power and connect the light with the power on so that I can make sure I'm getting a good connection. I find that certain brands are easier than others. I don't recall the exact brand, but whatever brand that Lowes sells is the most difficult to get to work IMOHO. Whatever brand Home Depot sells is easier, but still not foolproof.

Even after you get them to work, there is no guarantee that they will continue to work forever. Since you are poking a hole through the insulation, eventually, the elements may cause corrosion and you may lose electrical connection.

The most foolproof way to ensure you have a good electrical connection is to solder the wires. I have a few lights that have consistently given me connection problems; so, this is what I've resorted to and haven't had a problem since. Strip a little bit of insulation on the main wire (without cutting the wire) and strip the end of the wire for the light. I typically offset the two points on the main wire a couple of inches apart. Then solder the light wires to the main wire. Finally, apply several coats of liquid electrical tape to seal and waterproof the connection.

If you don't want to solder, something else you can try is waterproof wire nuts. They are like regular wirenuts, except, they are a bit larger and filled with some sort of grease to seal and waterproof the connection. They are typically used in sprinkler setups; so, you might find them in the plumbing department of your favorite home improvement store. I've never actually tried them on landscape lights; so, I can't provide a personal testimonial; but, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't work. The only problem I foresee is that they are often a bright orange or yellow color; so, it may be difficult making an unobtrusive connection in a garden landscape.

Jon

[bman36]

Ok, Ok embarrassment time. [:I] The story goes like this. Strung out three 14/2 wires. One was for the lights, the other two were feeder wires for my two tracks. Marked one for the lights with masking tape so I knew which one to attach all the lights to. In order to know which other wire was which I bared the ends and wound them together. This way a quick check with my Multi -Meter would show me the open and closed circuits. This quick check I learned from installing alarms. [tup] Remember I said I was rushing??? [:0] Guess which line I tied together thinking it was the track feeder? YEP...the landscape lights. PERFECT SHORT. Repair...cut the end off and plugged em' back in. [V] Fixed. Later eh...Brian. [D)][D)][D)]

[Anonymous]

All that matters is that the family likes the new lighting! And your happy with it.

[Anonymous]

Brian Mate;

This has got out of hand but I', glad it ended ok I still don't quite understand the whole thing

Rgs

Your Mate ian.

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

Brian Mate;

This has got out of hand but I', glad it ended ok I still don't quite understand the whole thing

Rgs

Your Mate ian.

Ian...Mate...Bud...
If you're happy, I'm happy! [:D] Rgs eh...Brian.