On Jun 7, 11:45*am, "James" no wrote:
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

I have some that are still going after about 9 years. I coat the
connectors with Dow Corning DC4 silicon grease. This displaces water
away from any place it shouldnt be. Mke sure that if water does get
into them it can drain out because water will get in. Mine are cheapys
I got at Big Lots. The ones I have now uses bulbs but I will probably
soon replace them with LEDs.

My neighbor has some that are more like 15 years old. They made there
own enclosures out of sheet copper and stained glass, very pretty.
Light fixtures are automotive. They also use the DC4.

The fixtures pretty much mattch their art deco porch light.

Jimmie

On Jun 7, 8:45*am, "James" no wrote:
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

James-

My limited expericence is the same.

as per other posts, my opinion all LV fixtures are junk

I would suggest (worth a try) sealing the fixtures prior to
installation with silicone seal OR if you want to try & maintain dis-
assembly as an option.....a heavy application of silicone grease

IMO the only thing going for LV lighting is; fast & cheap to install
I tell people that their new LV installation will require ongoing /
never ending maintenance


the solar ones are kinda wimpy on the output & as near as I can tell
the batteries cannot be replaced...but they are hard to for ease of
install & maintentance

cheers
Bob

"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 ??

Have you looked into Aurora. They are not cheap, but I think that they
carry a lifetime replacement.

Mike


Thanks for any comments or advice !!

James

On Jun 8, 1:16*pm, fftt wrote:
On Jun 7, 8:45*am, "James" no wrote:





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

James-

My limited expericence is the same. *

as per other posts, my opinion all LV fixtures are junk

I would suggest (worth a try) sealing the fixtures prior to
installation with silicone seal OR if you want to try & maintain dis-
assembly as an option.....a heavy application of silicone grease

IMO the only thing going for LV lighting is; fast & cheap to install
I tell people that their new LV installation will require ongoing /
never ending *maintenance *

the solar ones are kinda wimpy on the output & as near as I can tell
the batteries cannot be replaced...but they are hard to for ease of
install & maintentance

cheers
Bob- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

the ones I have are "solar" brand from Home Depot, the batteries are
standard AA rechargeables. Downsides:

1) so flimsily made that they will break (from getting kicked,
newspapers landing on them, etc.) before the batteries wear out.

2) solar panels haze over worse than cheap car headlamps

3) stakes are worthless plastic junk

other than that (ahem) they actually work pretty well.

nate

Thanks Mike on the Aurora name. I will look for them.

As for solar lights, I have no need for them. I need far more light that
what I can get from solar lights.

Thanks for all the comments everyone !!

James

N8N wrote:

I would love to find a good quality light, either solar, low voltage,
whatever that could be relied upon to last more than a year or two.

I have had no problems with the Malibu Metal low voltage series for 18 months
now. Cast aluminum construction seems to hold up just fine.

on 6/8/2009 12:24 PM (ET) brooklyn1 wrote the following:
"willshak" wrote:

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..



It was only a week ago and you don't know if you were in Home Depot or
Lowe's... something is terribly amiss with your perceptive ability.

If you must know, I wasn't looking to buy patio lights, but I was
passing through the aisles where they were displayed.
I was in both stores that day and they are within sight of each other..

Sounds
more like you futzed with buffing and coating your lamp's solar panels when
new out of the box, thinking you'd improve them, instead you destroyed them.
Mine have been operating perfectly for nearly seven years and show no
crazing or opaqueness whatsoever, and the only cleaning they get is from
when it rains.

This photo was taken like a week ago, my solar panels look exactly like when
brand new:
http://i43.tinypic.com/2ivuhz.jpg

Btw, anyone know the name of that plant, I would appreciate it, I can't
remember and the tag is lost.


You don't remember the name of the plant that you planted on your
property, and you criticized my memory?


--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

"willshak" wrote in message
news
on 6/8/2009 12:24 PM (ET) brooklyn1 wrote the following:
"willshak" wrote:

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..



It was only a week ago and you don't know if you were in Home Depot or
Lowe's... something is terribly amiss with your perceptive ability.

If you must know, I wasn't looking to buy patio lights, but I was passing
through the aisles where they were displayed.
I was in both stores that day and they are within sight of each other..

Sounds more like you futzed with buffing and coating your lamp's solar
panels when new out of the box, thinking you'd improve them, instead you
destroyed them. Mine have been operating perfectly for nearly seven years
and show no crazing or opaqueness whatsoever, and the only cleaning they
get is from when it rains.

This photo was taken like a week ago, my solar panels look exactly like
when brand new:
http://i43.tinypic.com/2ivuhz.jpg

Btw, anyone know the name of that plant, I would appreciate it, I can't
remember and the tag is lost.


You don't remember the name of the plant that you planted on your
property, and you criticized my memory?


I never said I planted it, was there when I moved here. I've seen that
plant at a local nursery but don't remember the name, of the plant, I know
the name of the nursery. The original owner had little copper tags by many
of the plants, that one is missing or may never have been. That plant could
have been planted shortly after that deck was built, some twenty six years
ago, not six days ago. Btw, I've been separating and planting pieces in
unprotected areas, so far the deer and rabbits don't eat it.

This is the solar lamp I bought from Lowe's on 11/11/03, still works
perfectly. I paid $35 for a set of two. I wouldn't coat the solar panels
with anything as it may act like a sun screen one applies against sunburn,
blocking the rays that recharge the batteries... I'd think modern auto waxes
do contain a sunscreen to protect paint finishes.... clearly says any
modification voids the warranty. It's very easy to replace the batteries,
so far I'm still using the original batteries. Don't buy any B & D cordless
vacuum, costs as much to change the battery pack as to buy a new unit.

Malibu makes cheaper (plastic) solar lights too, they also make low voltage
lights, but these are made very substantially of cast aluminum and
beautifully finished, I got the ones with the pewter finish:
http://www.malibulights.com/index.ph...&pi d=LZ14001

When I bought them it was simply an impulse purchase, I did no research,
they just looked nice and the price was right. Initially I wanted solar
lights for markers at the foot of my driveway but soon realized it wouldn't
be such a good idea as anyone passing could make off with them, so I put
them in back at my deck.

"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

"willshak" wrote in message
m...
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..

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

The 2 models I"ve tried have lithim-ion batteries built-in.

The last set that quit, they just quit. No visible sign of why.
--
Dave

"James" no wrote in message
.. .
Thanks Mike on the Aurora name. I will look for them.

As for solar lights, I have no need for them. I need far more light that
what I can get from solar lights.

Thanks for all the comments everyone !!

James


Absolutely. Low voltage lights were not meant for illumination, never were.
They were meant as a general guide in pathways and driveways at night. They
are also kind to the eyes at night, decorative in some perspective.
--
Dave

On Jun 9, 11:05*am, "Dioclese" NONE wrote:

Absolutely. *Low voltage lights were not meant for illumination, never were.
They were meant as a general guide in pathways and driveways at night. *They
are also kind to the eyes at night, decorative in some perspective.

Lights that don't illuminate...? Well in that case you don't even
have to wire the fixtures, just stick them in the ground.

R

On Jun 7, 3:05*pm, "James" no wrote:
Yes, yes, I will look for those:

"I've got a set of those cheap plastic lights with the clip in 4v bulbs"

Think I could find these at Home Depot ??

James

hey, all sarcasim aside, I just mentioned that for whatever it might
be worth to someone else reading this thread later.
I looked at my timer box, and it looks like they are malibu lights

cheap, yes, from the borg, yes, what you were asking about, no.
but, like I said, just my 2 cents.


http://www.malibulights.com/malibu-wheretobuy.php

On Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:24:48 GMT, "brooklyn1"
wrote:

This photo was taken like a week ago, my solar panels look exactly like when
brand new:
http://i43.tinypic.com/2ivuhz.jpg

Btw, anyone know the name of that plant, I would appreciate it, I can't
remember and the tag is lost.

Those are lupines, a really nice perennial. No idea what variety, but
yours are lovely!

"KLS" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:24:48 GMT, "brooklyn1"
wrote:

This photo was taken like a week ago, my solar panels look exactly like
when
brand new:
http://i43.tinypic.com/2ivuhz.jpg

Btw, anyone know the name of that plant, I would appreciate it, I can't
remember and the tag is lost.

Those are lupines, a really nice perennial. No idea what variety, but
yours are lovely!

Thank you very much. I will write that in my gardening book.