Low Voltage Lighting
 

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"Gavin Wheeler" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 19:19:32 -0000, "Kevin Ashcroft"
wrote:

Apologies in advance of this is an inappropriate place
to post this question, however here I go.

I have recently purchased some low voltage lights from a DIY shop.
[...]
I have outside power sockets which this transformer plugs into,
however, the instructions tell you not to leave the transformer
outside. It should be inside the house or in a garden shed.
[...]
Can you purchase transformers which will happily sit outside or
does anyone know of a small enclosure I could purchase, which the
transformer can sit inside quite happily and be protected?

You can get transformers which will sit outside, but you would have to
be certain that it gave exactly the right power supply. Easy enough if
you read the specs on the side of the thing, but you would probably
have to accept that the warranty would be void as you were not using
the 'approved' power supply.

I have seen enclosures that look like a green plastic rugby ball.
These are designed to fit around the socket end of power extension
cords, so you run the extension out into the garden, plug in
[whatever], then clip the rugby ball around the plug+socket to (more
or less) waterproof the assembly. If your transformer will fit inside
these things, that would probably do the trick - frost might be a
problem, but I suspect the real issue is that the transformer is not
guaranteed waterproof.

(I saw these enclosures in the Brondesbury park garden centre in
Cardigan, Wales, but I doubt that is convenient for you!)
Please remove "brain." before emailing me.
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it, that'th our motto. That'th how you /tetht/ thomething!"
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Low Voltage Lighting
 

Re outside 230vac...

Use an RCD protected socket spur
o an internal socket makes it easy to turn it off from inside
---- and cheaper than (say) MK-outside-RCD-sockets
o conversely it makes it easy for someone to turn it back on
---- so you need to ensure safety re isolation

For waterproof enclosu
o IP67 boxes exist
---- but require proper glands to be used for IP rating to be maintained
o Verify the transformer doesn't require much ventilation
---- ironically an encapsulated SMPS vs Linear PSU would be good

Note even IP67 transformers may NOT permit free exterior mounting:
o They sometimes specify an enclosure or non-water-immersion
o Reason is heating/cooling cycles draws water in around the cable

Not impossible to convert standard light fittings to low-power, eg,
bollards,
and wall lights using low wattage bulbs. Can be a lot easier where a large,
but distributed garden lighting arrangement is desired or required. However
don't go OTT on the bulbs re fitting big halogen into PL light fittings. Can
be a cheap way of getting light, via LV, without some of the high prices.
--
Dorothy Bradbury
www.stores.ebay.co.uk/panaflofan for fans, books & other items

Low Voltage Lighting
 

Re outside 230vac...

Use an RCD protected socket spur
o an internal socket makes it easy to turn it off from inside
---- and cheaper than (say) MK-outside-RCD-sockets
o conversely it makes it easy for someone to turn it back on
---- so you need to ensure safety re isolation

For waterproof enclosu
o IP67 boxes exist
---- but require proper glands to be used for IP rating to be maintained
o Verify the transformer doesn't require much ventilation
---- ironically an encapsulated SMPS vs Linear PSU would be good

Note even IP67 transformers may NOT permit free exterior mounting:
o They sometimes specify an enclosure or non-water-immersion
o Reason is heating/cooling cycles draws water in around the cable

Not impossible to convert standard light fittings to low-power, eg,
bollards,
and wall lights using low wattage bulbs. Can be a lot easier where a large,
but distributed garden lighting arrangement is desired or required. However
don't go OTT on the bulbs re fitting big halogen into PL light fittings. Can
be a cheap way of getting light, via LV, without some of the high prices.
--
Dorothy Bradbury
www.stores.ebay.co.uk/panaflofan for fans, books & other items

Low Voltage Lighting
 

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 22:19:01 +0000, VivienB
wrote:

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 19:19:32 -0000, "Kevin Ashcroft"
wrote:

Can you purchase transformers which will happily sit outside or
does anyone know of a small enclosure I could purchase, which the
transformer can sit inside quite happily and be protected?

These people have one - they have been advertising a lot lately (I
have no connection whatsoever with them). www.greenbrook.co.uk

Regards, VivienB

For some reason the OP has not supplied feedback here (although asked
to do so), but has e-mailed me. I see no problem in outlining his
experience here, as it may be useful to someone else lurking.

He ordered one of the 'Armadillo' boxes obtainable from the above
website, received it promptly. It takes 4 transformers, so is a fair
size, about A4 x 6" high, cost £29. Apparently B & Q are selling
something similar for £20.

Hope this is of interest,

Regards, VivienB

Low Voltage Lighting
 

Fit the lights to the manufacturers instructions and you cant go wrong! the
transformer has to be indoors.I have a light setup from B & Q, the one were
you buy your transformer,cable,lights & pir switches etc, seperately to meet
your requirements & so you can add to the set up if you have chosen a big
enough transformer.The cable comes in different lengths too,so you can
easily fit the transformer indoors.The bulbs are also halagen so they are
brighter and make more inpact!I have purchased lighting packs in the past &
found they are restricted & are not very bright.You cant add to them & the
cabling isnt long enough.
cheers kenty

"VivienB" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 22:19:01 +0000, VivienB
wrote:

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 19:19:32 -0000, "Kevin Ashcroft"
wrote:

Can you purchase transformers which will happily sit outside or
does anyone know of a small enclosure I could purchase, which the
transformer can sit inside quite happily and be protected?

These people have one - they have been advertising a lot lately (I
have no connection whatsoever with them). www.greenbrook.co.uk

Regards, VivienB

For some reason the OP has not supplied feedback here (although asked
to do so), but has e-mailed me. I see no problem in outlining his
experience here, as it may be useful to someone else lurking.

He ordered one of the 'Armadillo' boxes obtainable from the above
website, received it promptly. It takes 4 transformers, so is a fair
size, about A4 x 6" high, cost £29. Apparently B & Q are selling
something similar for £20.

Hope this is of interest,

Regards, VivienB

Low Voltage Lighting
 

"kenty ;-)" wrote in message
...
Fit the lights to the manufacturers instructions and you cant go wrong!
the
transformer has to be indoors.I have a light setup from B & Q, the one
were
you buy your transformer,cable,lights & pir switches etc, seperately to
meet
your requirements & so you can add to the set up if you have chosen a big
enough transformer.The cable comes in different lengths too,so you can
easily fit the transformer indoors.
snip
cheers kenty

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the transformer
insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame, and I
don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options :-))

Thanks
Jan

Low Voltage Lighting
 

The only way really is to drill a small hole through the wall then lay the
cabling through the garden were you want the lights,you can get long drill
bits which will easily do the job.
kenty
"Jeep Beep" wrote in message
...

"kenty ;-)" wrote in message
...
Fit the lights to the manufacturers instructions and you cant go wrong!
the
transformer has to be indoors.I have a light setup from B & Q, the one
were
you buy your transformer,cable,lights & pir switches etc, seperately to
meet
your requirements & so you can add to the set up if you have chosen a
big
enough transformer.The cable comes in different lengths too,so you can
easily fit the transformer indoors.
snip
cheers kenty

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the transformer
insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame, and I
don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options :-))

Thanks
Jan

Low Voltage Lighting
 

The message
from "Jeep Beep" contains these words:

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the transformer
insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame, and I
don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options :-))

Exactly the same way as you would get the power out to an outside transformer?

--
Rusty Hinge http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/tqt.htm

Dark thoughts about the Wumpus concerto played with piano,
iron bar and two sledge hammers. (Wumpus, 15/11/03)

Low Voltage Lighting
 

The message
from "Jeep Beep" contains these words:

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the transformer
insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame, and I
don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options :-))

Exactly the same way as you would get the power out to an outside transformer?

--
Rusty Hinge http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/tqt.htm

Dark thoughts about the Wumpus concerto played with piano,
iron bar and two sledge hammers. (Wumpus, 15/11/03)

Low Voltage Lighting
 

"Jeep Beep" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the transformer
insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame, and I
don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options :-))

Make a junction in the loft. Take the cable out through the soffits.

Franz

Low Voltage Lighting
 

Franz Heymann typed:

"Jeep Beep" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the
transformer insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame,
and I don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options
:-))

Make a junction in the loft. Take the cable out through the soffits.

Or
Mine goes under the floor-boards and out through an air brick.

Low Voltage Lighting
 

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Franz Heymann typed:

"Jeep Beep" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the
transformer insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame,
and I don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options
:-))

Make a junction in the loft. Take the cable out through the soffits.

Or
Mine goes under the floor-boards and out through an air brick.

Equally good, if not indeed better.

Franz

Low Voltage Lighting
 

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Franz Heymann typed:

"Jeep Beep" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the
transformer insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame,
and I don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options
:-))

Make a junction in the loft. Take the cable out through the soffits.

Or
Mine goes under the floor-boards and out through an air brick.

Equally good, if not indeed better.

Franz

Low Voltage Lighting
 

if you can`t sort out a appropriate root for your cabling then maybe you
should`nt be attempting the job yourself!It really is common sense,You
choose the best root were possible and there will be disturbance in some
form no matter were you fit .
kenty
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Franz Heymann typed:

"Jeep Beep" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the
transformer insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame,
and I don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options
:-))

Make a junction in the loft. Take the cable out through the soffits.

Or
Mine goes under the floor-boards and out through an air brick.

Equally good, if not indeed better.

Franz

Low Voltage Lighting
 

if you can`t sort out a appropriate root for your cabling then maybe you
should`nt be attempting the job yourself!It really is common sense,You
choose the best root were possible and there will be disturbance in some
form no matter were you fit .
kenty
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Franz Heymann typed:

"Jeep Beep" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Probably a dumb question, but how do you get the wire from the
transformer insider to the lights outside?
-I obviously don't want to make a hole in the wall or window frame,
and I don't have a post box! ...so I'm looking for other options
:-))

Make a junction in the loft. Take the cable out through the soffits.

Or
Mine goes under the floor-boards and out through an air brick.

Equally good, if not indeed better.

Franz