How to Install Easy but Effective Garden Lights
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2023
- After trying all the various types of garden lights over the years I think I have finally found the easiest and most effective solution to enhance the garden in the evening.
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Great video - a common sense approach and very practical, down to earth advice [ no pun intended ! ]. You always make it look so easy. I especially like the flexibility of the system and the ability to add further lights almost on a plug and play basis. Definitely going to be installing this in my garden, once the summer weather is here.
10:22 - Heh, called it as soon as I saw the elbow you were using. I suspect you knew it too and just saw it as a good video opportunity (just nod). That's why I always try to use two 45-degree bends instead of a single 90-degree one. Even for plain cables (without connectors) it makes things so much easier.
I don't like using small radius elbows when a cable needs to be pulled in. The solution is to bend the conduit to the required angle. The bend/s can be done by heating the conduit with a heat gun or even a hair dryer. This way, a greater radius is achieved. The only disadvantage is the conduit needs to be deeper than shown here.
In addition, bricks, pavers or something similar can be placed over the conduit to create a solid barrier and add further protection to the conduit and electrical cable from damage.
Another step is, the glue any joints so water is prevented from entering the conduit.
As always Stuart - great info and thanks for the tips
Thanks for your research here, definitely spiked my interest.
Just to add that I wouldn't bother with the photocell sensor but instead opt for smart control.
If you power the whole thing with a smart mains plug you can use Alexa or Google Home to turn the lights on at sunset or 30 mins passed sunset (whatever you want) which will change daily & then have it turn off whatever time you decide.
Obviously you'd be able to override this from your phone if needed, currently I have my Summer House lights working in this way.
This is the way ^
Agreed, on - 30mins before sunset. off at 1am is my routine 👌
Amazing. I did similar but plugged them into a smart plug so can turn them on at my command with Alexa etc. plus you can run schedules with them. Cool vid
Great video Stuart and some cool-looking lights.
The only thing I would add, is that although those connectors may have gaskets, you still need to smear some silicon grease on the metal parts before assembling. I would also then bind the assembly with a layer of self-amalgamating tape. Its cheap and saves future hassle.
Should anyone still choose solar and want them to last until the following year, then it is VERY important to open them up and coat the inside PCB, switch, etc., with something to resist corrosion. Those 12v lamps used here, may also need a bit of extra protection inside. One should have been opened up to inspect the build quality. This is so often overlooked by the amateur DIY'er. How to do all this corrosion protection would make a good subject for another episode.
We have geckos up here in Queensland and our lights in the garden attract moths and bugs so the geckos have a field day. It’s always great to watch. And yes they do look great love the variety of topics on your channel it’s always interesting so cheers
Brilliant, exactly what I need. Thanks Stu.
The lighting looks excellent Stuart 👍
Looks a good system thanks Stuart !
Looks good 👍😃
Good job, looks good, needing something similar for my garden. Thanks.
This channel is superb keep up the good work
Great video. Great work. Definitely a fan of the warm white too.
I loved this one. It simple but super effective
I love the way you show the nitty gritty stages - right down to using 90° elbow bends with a removable panel to feed the cable plug through the conduit without difficulty. I think everyone within earshot of my efforts would appreciate the ability to edit out expletives as they're uttered -clever trick that! 😄
Good one Stuart always as methodical
IT looks really pretty, Stuart, especially the lights shining on the hanging garden wall.
Thanks.
Cute, love that smile :) , whops wrong video, nice setup bro, I spent £100+ on garden lights that are all broken by now
Hi i would have fed cable before putting conduit in ground also put some coloured roll over conduit before back fill in the future if you decide to improve that area you hit the yellow tape then you will not damage the conduit . They are not cheap items
Fantastic video I have ordered the lights I have so what for my garden and they are amazing thank you so much 🎉
That green living wall looks amazing! An update video on it would be great 15:02
I think most of these are captured elsewhere in the comments, but we have been using the Elluminere system for just over 2 years so will share a few thoughts on them.
We have 2 transformers feeding 8 deck lights and 8 spots. We buried 40mm flexible duct when casing our shed base (to the inside of the shed, which also has mains) which was a lot easier to put the cable connectors through then the 20mm conduit Stuart used. The hose used for ponds also often comes in larger sizes and is available to length, so another option.
Like many other commenters, we've used a smart plug rather than old-school photocell, with the plug set to come on around sunset and switch off just before midnight. You can also find PIRs which can activate some smart plugs, though havent done this. Then in winter your view isnt cut short at 7.30pm, 4 hours after sunset!
When installing, I used self amalgaming tape (available from all the usual sheds, and diy stores, amazon, etc) on all the connector joints, and have had no problems with these.
The deck lights (installed sideways in sleepers in our case) are also all good. Where we have had a few minor issues is with the spots, but what I only recently realised is these contain MR16 replacable bulbs. Whilst you may be able to use a bulb from anywhere (they seem to work), we have used the manufacturers own replacements for now in the expectation the may be designed for the use case. I would say hold on to your receipt (or take a photo of it) as these may be covered by the warranty... alas we didnt. We have I think now replaced 4 of the 8 spot bulbs due to issues. And one did show signs of a water ingress, so it may be worth trying to seal them.
But agreeing with Stuart, overall it seems the best system for most use cases where you want proper display lighting, to light paths, etc.
To edit my comment... the small spots we have (which also come in the starter kit) contain MR11 bulbs; the large spots and posts lights contain MR16 bulbs.
@@olicukGood to know. Are the Mr11 bulbs also replaceable? Thanks if you can answer.
@anthonydavid1965 yes, certainly in the small spots they are replacable.
@@olicukThanks👍
Hello Stuart,
Just a word of warning, if you've planted the bamboo directly into the border.
Keep an eye on it, because it grows at an alarming rate.
Both above and below ground, It's a nuisance to get rid of..
A strong large pot is preferable for containment.
A good informative video as always..
He already did a video on that exact topic, I believe.
@jsaurman
Hi,
I must have missed that particular video..
@@paulmccarthy7061 Roots are surrounded by thick plastic wrap so they don't shoot out
A very helpful and informative video as ever Stuart! It seems like you came up against many of the same problems as I did while trying to decide on the best way to go with outdoor lighting. I ended up going for the Techmar 12v LED light system and installed it around our front garden earlier this year. I am very impressed with it! Yours looks spectacular!! It’s amazing how much a little light transforms the look of the garden 🪴
Very interesting, I want some similar lights but always worried about the faff and messing with digging wires etc but this looks excellent.
Thank you Stuart, we have also just installed some flood lights around our house purely for security but they work well.
Great video Stuart. We’ve given up on the solar lights and have been looking at alternatives. I need look no further.
Very interesting as I live in Wales. I did have a little giggle at the pulling the wire through the corners :)
I ended up investing in a similar system by Techmar (the 2 pin plugs look identical) - decently priced, metal, user-replacable lamps and uses standard SPT-2 cable (cheaply available in reels of 50m length) which you then clip the sockets on to afterwards wherever you need them - much easier for pulling through conduit. And with the cable being so cheap, we just ran 2 lengths from different transforners all the way around the garden so if we want more lights in the future, we just tap off it - and depending which one you tap in to depends which "scene" that light will come on with.
Interesting. Living in a second floor flat I don't have a garden but I do have several large (6' high) indoor plants and the lights with spike bases look like I could mount them in the plant pots to light my plants from below to accent them in the darker evenings, here in Scotland it gets dark around 4pm in winter 👍
Add a 240v timer upstream to come on say midday, obviously then the photocell will be powered but not trigger till dark....BUT you can use the timer to power off say midnight regardless so as not to run when in bed.
There are quite a few similar systems , i think many of the connectors at the end are universal. I have a few brands of outside fairy lights that are all the same connector and you can daisy chain them.
I feel your pain with the conduit - I did a similar job for lights (deck type) in a timber-clad wall - there were 4 "traverses" with bends etc - elected to use 32mm waste pipe so easy with a draw-cord. Connected to a Hive plug/socket controlled from an app - a couple of time adjustments during the year are no big deal - and we can turn it all off if, for example, we're away.
Hi sir sounds like a good product range , as retired electrical contractor I’m never really in favour of mains voltage in the garden certainly in your type of installation . Knowing of course you would not do anything that was unsafe , but as you pointed out making things water tight is always an issue . As for the solar option it’s never really going to be a success due to the small voltage these tiny panels can produce . And in reality there’s probably millions of them laying dormant in gardens across the country , destined eventually for landfills . A little tip regarding the conduit , if you use a 20mm bending spring your cable connection will travel around the bends with no problem . Best wishes and kind regards as always. 😀👍👍👍
Absolutely perfect timing, I’m sat looking at the inadequate, weather damaged solar lights now. Will use your Amazon affiliate links as a thank you
like all your videos! awesome job may i just say those cable cleats should have the nail on the bottom this will support the weight of the cable over a long period of time. although the water pipe should take some of the load.. Keep up the good work!
Hello. About the photocell you installed, instead I choose to use a smart socket before the transformer. You can control it from your phone anytime and set up smart scenes like turning it on at dusk or linking it to movement sensors, doors, etc.
Cool.
I already did a similar thing but added a smart plug to the end of the transformer. That way will the home automation the light can be remotely controlled. Smart timer/ door / motion sensor.
Subscribed and followed you for a good few weeks now…. But I always say that if I like what I see after someone has done the research, then it’ll do for me … Now all I need do is to add it to the list of jobs you’ve given me!
12:26 It seems there is another fencepost to fix 😅
Can I add my vote for using a bending spring to bend the conduit alternatively if you still wanted to do it with pre-formed bends there are swept bends available but you will probably have to go an electrical wholesaler eg. CEF.
I am veiwing you in North Aurora, Illinois U.S.A.
Stuart, how did you terminate the conduit at the fence? Did you leave the pipe open and facing upwards, to the rain? Usually add 2 90 degrees to turn the end down, so rain doesn't get in and fill the underground part.
It will fill up anyway as he didn't cement the conduit together and used inspection elbows.
It's only for mechanical protection
Good thinking!
That's a great system, those would be good security lights aswel, lighting up certain area's of your property
You used an 'inspection elbow' instead of a bend. Therefore, the radius was too tight for the 12v plug.
Very useful information, the only thing that I would add is to avoid shining lights into the neighbours property. Are you doing a separate Christmas lights vlog?
Birdy
This is genius! But isn’t there a risk of rodent biting/chewing into the cable?
Very nice system, but EXPENSIVE!
you should treat your fence , try this its great stuff....Bartoline Creocote Timber Treatment
Looking at the starter kit, it doesn't appear to have the 12v metal transformer you show, did you have to buy this separately? If so, why did you go for this over what comes in the box? Thanks
could you add a water pump to the system for a water feature?
Great stuff! What’s the paint pen you’re using? Can’t see a link or find an equivalent.
I remember seeing these on Dragons Den a few years ago, They are called The Marxman Pen. Seen them at Wickes & Toolstation
Do you mean the chalk pen? I think that's a MarXman Marker. If you want an actual paint pen that works on most surfaces, look for "tyre markers".
I'm looking for a similar solution for my balcony. I live in a flat so I can't install outdoor power but don't want to rely on solar. I'm trying to find lights that are battery powered with a dusk sensor. So they don't need to rely on the sun to keep them bright and charged up but still switch on and off automatically.
Wifi controlled switches, far better than using solar partly because the power supply is always energised with the sensor and you have no further control of it.
I have two controlling garden lighting, both are two channel so have two outputs. One section of garden has colour changes and they need 12vac and the others want 12vdc so I have two ring circuits.
Do you still rate these about to purchase some
would 'capillary action' suck water in to the conduit
Great video! How many lights do you think you can hang off the transformer?
Was 12 (which we have), now says 18 in their FAQ, but they do a couple of different wattage transformers so add the bulb wattages up and make sure they are less than the transformer rating.
Thanks @@olicuk! I guess they're not zonal either? And to turn different sets of lights on you'd need one transformer per zone?
@@TomWhi yes, that's correct, you'd need multiple transformers for this (unless you can find suitable MR11 smart bulbs perhaps).
@@olicuk thanks for the advice!
I'm not a fan of garden lights per-se, it screws it up for the creatures that live there, and can be annoying for the neighbours, but nice neat installation all the same.
25mm conduit should use ..would of flown round those bends
Hello Stuart... Please ell me about your living wall shown on the video?
Water feed in UK permanently??
Always use stainless steel screws in the cable clips, future you will say thank-you when you replace the fence.
How far can these lights be extended
If you used a simple (say) Amazon Alexa enabled smart plug then you could integrate it into your “routines” will full app control
The dictionary definition of electrical conduit; "That was a lot of unexpected faffing about!?"
You've missed a trick here. The perfect solution is to use a mains powered light on the house with a series of elaborate mirrors to direct the light onto the solar panel based spike lights. Flawless
😂😂😂😂
Absurd.
Mirrors in gardens should be outlawed, birds fly into them😢
@@brianchandler1365 there's a solution for everything. Simply enclose the mirrors inside pvc light tubes.
@@brianchandler1365 Birds fly into my windows - should they be outlawed too?
Is there not enough light pollution with out adding to it?
Just a word of warning. That blue water pipe is normally not UV resistant, and is meant to be buried.
Insulation tape on that plug over the draw cord would have made that easier.
Every year my father pulls all the NiMh AA batteries from the dozen or so lights he has and charges them all up...
Any one who likes tinkering with low-voltage led lighting should look at some ideas BigClive has on his YT.
That was really useful thank you. I have been tempted to add lights to the garden, but was my priority is encouraging wildlife to come share the garden, I am not sure if I will take the plunge. But if I do I will almost certainly follow your excellent example. Looks great around your planting.
That is my reservation, too: wildlife. I'm also reluctant to add more plastic to the world. These matters are all so 'first-world'. We don't need lights in the garden at night: we should be asleep!
Looks good but like any outdoor lightning this video needs and update and honest report after a season or two on any failures and problems. My worry is connections are only as good as the gaskets and cable exposed on beds might be damaged
Exactly what I was thinking, will be a good item to come back to next year!
We've had these installed for just over 2 years now. I put self amalgamate tape on the connectors and haven't had any problems with those. All our deck lights (installed sideways into a sleeper wall) are fine, but the bulbs in a few of the spots have gone. Technically these would be replaced under warranty I think, but we didn't keep the receipt :(. I didn't initially realise the spots open and the bulbs are replacable but they are. Spares are available on the manufacturers website, though they MR16 so you could try bulbs from anywhere... I did test one, but have used the manufacturers in case they are rated better for external use. One holder (of 8 spots) had signs of water ingress, so it may be worth waterproofing them with a bit of grease before putting them out...
Abit off topic but does anyone know how to remove a stump in the garden by using a chemical?
Looking good
Looks like a great kit, and another great video.
You sir, are WONDERFUL! Thank you.
I always pull more string through the conduit with my cable. Just in case the string breaks, plus it gives you the option to pull something else through later.
New video! ❤ Looking forward to watching this video right away 😋
WOW! SO much light from them.. I've looked at this kind of lights, similar ones and I thought that these might not give off too much light, but wow.. if the ones we have available are as good, then they are definitely worth it!
Great video! ❤
The green wall illumination really does look the business - my favourite of all of them.
Great video, as the nights draw it is certainly needed
Great video Stuart, think it will solve my garden problem. Thanks for the video.👍👍
I love watching your videos because you’re so neat and tidy about your installations! I like a nice neat installation - I’m the sort of person who clips cables to skirting boards.
Nice Job
I do all my electrical waterproofing and mechanical fastening at the same time with hot glüe gun. Cheap, fast, and effective.
Tip: those plastic conduits can be heated with a heat hint and a more gradual bend formed… should help with drawing cables through them…
Remembering of cause, to fill with sand first or use a spring pipe bending spring, to stop wall of pipe collapsing in.
Very nice. Good work as always.
Was the conduit strictly necessary? I feel not. But does tidy it up and look nice i have to say.
Cool vid! :)
If you wish to expand your 12v lighting in the future then because you have the transformer inside you could get a 12v 3d printer power supply to do it. They are cheap and reliable switch mode power supplies which means they will only supply the current required.
Fab video as always. What was the marksman tool you used to mark the holes on the wall?
Marxman Pen
@@webbo73 thanks. Will google it.
Can you give an idea of how much it will cost per day, week or month to run these lights?
LED's so naff all basically
The basic set in the link has 4 x 1 watt bulbs so for 4 watts per hour approx 2.1p per hour on most energy calculators
Depends on how much electricity costs where you live and how your power company charges you (ex., real power vs. apparent power - which will depend on the PFC of the power supply). You should be able to find energy consumption numbers (watts) online. Though they'll probably just list the power of the bulbs, and not how much the transformer itself uses (there's always some loss, not to mention the PFC issue), so I guess an actual test would still be useful.
I'm not sure I understand what the advantage of this system is over just regular mains lighting. It kind of locks you into a manufacturer, the overall price is unlikely to be lower, and you're still using the same amount of electricity. I guess the consequences are less serious if you make a mistake or use low-quality components, is that it? Overall it's not _worse,_ but it doesn't seem that much better, either. And it's less "DIY".
Personally, I think it would have been more interesting if you'd hacked some solar lights to use a bigger battery and a bigger solar panel (and you can use the solar panel itself as a photo cell, with some simple circuitry). But maybe sunlight in England really is so bad that you'd need a whole solar plant just to power garden lights in the winter. ;-)
BTW, regarding water ingress, the general advice I've heard from people who install a lot of outdoor lighting is: don't bother trying to prevent 100% of water from getting into things, just make sure any water that does get in can easily come out instead of pooling anywhere important (e.g., don't create u-shaped pieces of sealed conduit unless you're fine with whatever is in them being submerged, and water possibly coming out of the lower end because it managed to get into it through the higher one).
Excellent work. Being 12v, of course, you could potentially run it off a car battery and a solar panel if mains access isn't possible.
Yes, solar lights in the cloudiest country on the planet, might not be the best solution, but might work well, literally everywhere else on earth 😂
Great video! Anyone got a link to that transformer (with the 2 pin connector)? Could do with upgrading mine…
Brilliant! The wife uses the solar powered ones and they are terrible. Christmas present sorted, cheers!
have you got a link to the psu you used ( I dont think it comes in teh starter pack )
Do you have any smart home videos planned? These lights alongside a smart plug, programmed to come on based on timing of sunset (or a smart light sensor) would be a good solution - and it gives you remote control
Did you watch the whole video? He added a photocell which automatically comes on for X amount of time once it gets dark