"N8N" wrote in message
...
On Jun 8, 11:47 am, willshak wrote:
on 6/8/2009 7:36 AM (ET) Dioclese wrote the following:





"James" no wrote in message
.. .

I have used 12 volt landscape lights for about seven years. During this
time, I have used various light fixtures from Home Depot and Lowe's.
Some
seem pretty low quality, some appear pretty decent at first. But, they
all leak after a few years.

I have also tried more "upscale" lights from a lighting dealer, costing
in the range of $90 per fixture. They also leak after a few years. I
see NO difference in quality of the "upscale" fixtures at $90 than what
I
buy at the big box stores at $15 each. No difference whatsoever.
(Generally speaking, I am a believer in the saying that you get what
you
pay for. This does not appear to be the case with low voltage landscape
lights).

Do any of you have experience with the long term use of low voltage
landscape lights, and have you found decent fixtures with good seals,
so
that they don't leak after a few years ? If so, what brand/ store / etc
would you suggest that I try ??

Thanks for any comments or advice !!

James

One box of 4 that I bought very cheap, says right on the box that the
solar
powered batteries cannot be replaced. Lasted for 2 years. No evidence of
water intrusion. Lights: LEDs. Lights hang down, not pointed up. No way
for water to affect them unless you have more than 8" of standing water.

Tried them again in a box of 6, even cheaper this time. No battery
replacement disclaimer. Similar design. 1/2 price sale, I'm buying
another
box for when these fail. Just connect the top section to the current
assembly already in the ground, all working again.

That's my advice. Buy them while on sale, and buy more than one set for
your application.

I don't think the OP is talking about solar powered lights.
However I was in HD or Lowes last week and I saw solar powered lights
that said the batteries are regular AA rechargeables.
The problem I've had with solar powered lights is that the solar panel
plastic turns milky and gets hairline cracks. I've gone so far as to
buff the lenses and coated them with Future floor finish, but it doesn't
last..

I've had the same issue, as well as the plastic stakes being softer
than the ground that they're pushed into (and the soil in my yard is
very soft indeed.)

----------

Last box of these I bought, said right on the instructions not to pound into
the earth. I used a length of 1/2" rebar for pounding out the holes here,
and bending to the side and around in a conical fashion. The "stakes" are
of conical shape. This works fine for installation here as long a I didn't
overdo the size of the hole. Some hardware stores will sell you a 2' length
of rebar. Soil here is rocky and very tough where lacking rock. Not rocket
science....
--
Dave