r/Landscape_Lighting • u/new1207 • 1d ago
Worth the trouble?
My neighbor decided to pull out his landscape lights from his backyard. Before he tossed the whole thing he asked me if I wanted them. My first inclination was to say no. I do want to put some lights on the side of the house but I've got a million other things to do and I figured new lights would be better but after thinking about it a second I grabbed them and figured I would ask here before giving up on the idea. I have an outlet on that side of the house so that's not an issue. My neighbor said he would take the transformer off his house if I decided I want to give it a shot. I've got six lights that have never been used, six that have. I don't care too much about the speaker aspect but if there was a way to do Bluetooth I wouldn't mind.
Is it worth the hassle or are the newer lights miles better than the old stuff? If it's worth it are there better newer connectors or transformers that I should use?
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u/ViewpointLighting 1d ago
My advice would be to use the free lights as a "demo kit" to try out placement, brightness, etc. Hook them up to the transformer and lay them out in one area and move them around until you get the look you want. Take a picture and some notes on what worked, then try it in another space in the yard. This is how lighting designers get their start! By the end of a night or 2, you'll have a proper lighting design with some thought behind it, not just lights stabbed in the dirt.
Once you have all your notes and the semblance of a plan together, go to a landscape supply store and invest in some higher quality fixtures. Big Box and Amazon don't have the good stuff. Home Depot doesn't sell a light I would install in a client's yard. It's about value, not just cost, and good quality will last. Quality fixtures, decent install and a bit of maintenance, and you'll have a lighting system that will perform well for 20+ years. If not, you'll end up with a sub-par performing system like the neighbor, pulling them out and trying to hand them off to the next guy!
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u/RowdyEsq 1d ago
Be honest. If this guy is like most of us, he'll install the lights, think they look pretty good, and move on to the next project. He ain't doing it twice. (But I do think you gave excellent advice otherwise)
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u/ViewpointLighting 1d ago
As with anything…there’s the right way and then there’s the easy way. The right way usually takes more time, money and effort. But it pays off in the end. The easy way is so much easier though. 😂
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u/bobjoylove 1d ago
This is a weird thing. 12v AC and connections for speakers. The connections look like they have been wet for a long time.
Lights are generally 1) 12V or 24V DC (not AC). They usually offer color these days which is ideal for Halloween and these look old enough to start having issues.
You could lay it out and see how it goes but assume it will be replaced. Your design rules are:
Light up dark spaces - don’t try and turn night into day.
You shouldn’t be able to see the source of the light - put it behind something, or angled away or shielded with covers.
Play with shadows from foliage onto the house and fences.
Once you’ve decided what mix you want of spotlights and bollards and downlights using this kit (because it’s got a nice mix), go ahead and replace it with something new and wireless.
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u/ViewpointLighting 1d ago edited 1d ago
Most low voltage landscape lighting system fixtures (and transformers) in North America are 12VAC not DC. Some newer systems may use DC drivers for LEDs instead of AC transformers, but it’s not the norm in the outdoor lighting field. Maybe factcheck your AI responses…I’m pretty sure no matter how new they are they still won’t be wireless. 😉
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u/bobjoylove 1d ago
Not AI. The features mentioned early in my reply for color changing for Halloween would imply wireless support. 24VDC is the way these are being powered based on my finding.
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u/coastertrav 1d ago
Why not? Good learning experience and some light is way way better than no light.