Garden Lighting
Hi,
I'm looking for some garden lighting, I like the look of those small rock lights, as they can be hidden amongst the flowers, however they are only 12v, and can only be placed 3-4m from the transformer, and you can't daisy chain them together. I think I need something higher voltage, maybe just standard 240v with no transformer. A set of 5 or 6 smallish ground lights, that can be daisy chained around the garden (20m). It would also be good if it was possible to install multi coloured bulbs as well, (as the rock lights only support 10w halogen, and coloured halogen are 30w). Anyone know of anything simular to this? Cheers Ben |
Garden Lighting
"Ben Blackmore" wrote in message .. . Hi, I'm looking for some garden lighting, I like the look of those small rock lights, as they can be hidden amongst the flowers, however they are only 12v, and can only be placed 3-4m from the transformer, and you can't daisy chain them together. I think I need something higher voltage, maybe just standard 240v with no transformer. A set of 5 or 6 smallish ground lights, that can be daisy chained around the garden (20m). It would also be good if it was possible to install multi coloured bulbs as well, (as the rock lights only support 10w halogen, and coloured halogen are 30w). Anyone know of anything simular to this? Ben, Low voltage lighting can certainly be strung out further than that. At our previous home I had 8 lights (2 strings) daisy chained and extending at least 20 meters. A standard (at least here in Toronto) Noma product. No problem. The transformer was stock too -- straight out of the box. If the look of the lighter-weight low voltage stuff suits you, it is certainly the way to go. Completely DYI and very little hassle. Its sometimes a little fiddley to ensure good contact at the lights and connections but aside from that it's dead easy. Relatively inexpensive too. Jim |
Garden Lighting
On Tue, 6 Apr 2004 17:00:27 +0100, "Ben Blackmore"
wrote: Hi, I'm looking for some garden lighting, I like the look of those small rock lights, as they can be hidden amongst the flowers, however they are only 12v, and can only be placed 3-4m from the transformer, and you can't daisy chain them together. I think I need something higher voltage, maybe just standard 240v with no transformer. A set of 5 or 6 smallish ground lights, that can be daisy chained around the garden (20m). It would also be good if it was possible to install multi coloured bulbs as well, (as the rock lights only support 10w halogen, and coloured halogen are 30w). Anyone know of anything simular to this? Cheers Ben I agree with Jim. if you get the right transformer, you can have a nice array of lights in series over a much greater distance than you have suggested. You might have to look beyond the home despot for pro-quality stuff (or maybe not--I haven't messed with the stuff they have, since it always seems to be broken when I see it at others' houses), but you can do it. I've had good success with Vista brand products (I have no connection with them other than being a customer). I think using AC to run garden lights is a waste of juice, an eyesore, a maintenance nightmare, and a safety risk. 12V is safe, easy, unobtrusive, and efficient. I also prefer the spotlight/ambient light effect more than the floods you usually see in AC systems, but that's me. good luck, K For more info about the International Society of Arboriculture, please visit http://www.isa-arbor.com/home.asp. For consumer info about tree care, visit http://www.treesaregood.com/ |
Garden Lighting
Babberney8/4/04 3:30
On Tue, 6 Apr 2004 17:00:27 +0100, "Ben Blackmore" wrote: Hi, I'm looking for some garden lighting, I like the look of those small rock lights, as they can be hidden amongst the flowers, however they are only 12v, and can only be placed 3-4m from the transformer, and you can't daisy chain them together. I think I need something higher voltage, maybe just standard 240v with no transformer. A set of 5 or 6 smallish ground lights, that can be daisy chained around the garden (20m). It would also be good if it was possible to install multi coloured bulbs as well, (as the rock lights only support 10w halogen, and coloured halogen are 30w). Anyone know of anything simular to this? Cheers Ben I agree with Jim. if you get the right transformer, you can have a nice array of lights in series over a much greater distance than you have suggested. You might have to look beyond the home despot for pro-quality stuff (or maybe not--I haven't messed with the stuff they have, since it always seems to be broken when I see it at others' houses), but you can do it. I've had good success with Vista brand products (I have no connection with them other than being a customer). I think using AC to run garden lights is a waste of juice, an eyesore, a maintenance nightmare, and a safety risk. 12V is safe, easy, unobtrusive, and efficient. I also prefer the spotlight/ambient light effect more than the floods you usually see in AC systems, but that's me. Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Why? What will you do with it? Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? This country has (IIRC) the highest light pollution in the world proportionately speaking. I can understand garden lighting when you're using a deck or terrace for a party but to light plants at night? WHY? Can't you look at them in the day time? If you live in the boondocks and need to light the path to the house - maybe install something that comes on as you approach it and goes off rapidly as you enter the house. So - FWIW, you may want to consider less light pollution and more sitting outside in the soft darkness of a summer's night looking at the *stars* which will not have been blanked out by a something-or-other lighting your Skimmia or bamboo and all those of all your neighbours. Just a teensy thought.... A newcomer to this village tried to get street lighting installed once - not a shrewd move. I think he moved quite soon after that. ;-) On many winter and summer nights we go outside to look at the stars and even with the very faint loom of Torquay some miles away we can actually *see* them. It's another world, a magic, a revelation. And all our plants are still there next morning, in the *day*light. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
Garden Lighting
Sacha wrote:
Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Why? What will you do with it? Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? This country has (IIRC) the highest light pollution in the world proportionately speaking. I can understand garden lighting when you're using a deck or terrace for a party but to light plants at night? WHY? Can't you look at them in the day time? If you live in the boondocks and need to light the path to the house - maybe install something that comes on as you approach it and goes off rapidly as you enter the house. So - FWIW, you may want to consider less light pollution and more sitting outside in the soft darkness of a summer's night looking at the *stars* which will not have been blanked out by a something-or-other lighting your Skimmia or bamboo and all those of all your neighbours. Just a teensy thought.... A newcomer to this village tried to get street lighting installed once - not a shrewd move. I think he moved quite soon after that. ;-) On many winter and summer nights we go outside to look at the stars and even with the very faint loom of Torquay some miles away we can actually *see* them. It's another world, a magic, a revelation. And all our plants are still there next morning, in the *day*light. Oh how I agree, the usual argument for excessive lighting is it reduces crime rate. How is that so, when I was young just after WW2 in Somerset my parents home looked out from the Mendips over the Somerset levels, the only light was looking up. Now it is all that awful yellow, and crime, reduced? I think not! -- Please only reply to Newsgroup as emails to this address are deleted on arrival. |
Garden Lighting
Sacha wrote:
Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Why? What will you do with it? Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? Apparently you aren't familiar with the tradition of barbecue (bar-BQ). It is where you cook outdoors on a grill (charcoal or propane) and eat outdoors. If the host has a nice garden, the bar-BQ may be held in or next to the garden. If the function lasts after sundown, outdoor lighting is needed. Frequently it includes tiki torches with citronella laced fuel to keep the insects down. -- Pardon my spam deterrent; send email to Visit my Rhododendron and Azalea web pages at: http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/rhody.html Also visit the Rhododendron and Azalea Bookstore at: http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/rhodybooks.html Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman |
Garden Lighting
Jim Voege8/4/04 8:38
"Sacha" wrote in message o.uk... snip It's another world, a magic, a revelation. And all our plants are still there next morning, in the *day*light. Different preferences in "magic" ... Jim And a total loss of the *real* thing to the artificial. Big shame, IMO. -- Sacha (remove the weeds to email me) |
Garden Lighting
Stephen M. Henning8/4/04 8:41
Sacha wrote: Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Why? What will you do with it? Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? Apparently you aren't familiar with the tradition of barbecue (bar-BQ). It is where you cook outdoors on a grill (charcoal or propane) and eat outdoors. If the host has a nice garden, the bar-BQ may be held in or next to the garden. If the function lasts after sundown, outdoor lighting is needed. Frequently it includes tiki torches with citronella laced fuel to keep the insects down. Ah. Now this may be because me and mine have a mutual view on barbecues - poor food, badly cooked, for the most part. We prefer to cook the food indoors, carry it into the garden and sit there as the daylight fades, watching the stars 'come out' and the bats flying around, listening to the Little Owls calling etc. You don't get a lot of that with artificial garden lighting..... OTOH, each to their own which is why my original post did say something about entertaining on a deck or terrace and understanding that lighting might be needed for that. I am querying whether individual trees and shrubs, bits of the garden, etc. need to be lit up at night, every night, for, what - exactly .........? How many people that do this turn off the lights inside their houses and sit at a window, gazing out into their spasmodically illuminated garden? Try letting gardens be lit by moonlight is my suggestion and if there's no moon, wait for the next one. Just another pov. -- Sacha (remove the weeds to email me) |
Garden Lighting
In article ,
Stephen M. Henning writes Sacha wrote: Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Why? What will you do with it? Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? Apparently you aren't familiar with the tradition of barbecue (bar-BQ). It is where you cook outdoors on a grill (charcoal or propane) and eat outdoors. If the host has a nice garden, the bar-BQ may be held in or next to the garden. If the function lasts after sundown, outdoor lighting is needed. Frequently it includes tiki torches with citronella laced fuel to keep the insects down. Poor old mother earth. The unnatural light in the garden scares off all those nocturnal creatures that don't like light . . . .. . . you kill the insects so the animals that feed off the insects all die; then all the animals that feed off the animals that eat the insects all die . . . .. . . and you would rather look at artificial light than the stars . . . poor old mother earth :(((((((((((( BTW in the uk when the temperature reaches a sufficient level to have a bbq outside, it stays light until it is too cool to be outside any more!!! -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see |
Garden Lighting
"Sacha" wrote in message o.uk... Jim Voege8/4/04 8:38 "Sacha" wrote in message o.uk... snip It's another world, a magic, a revelation. And all our plants are still there next morning, in the *day*light. Different preferences in "magic" ... Jim And a total loss of the *real* thing to the artificial. Big shame, IMO. -- I have gained a garden at night. What have I lost? Jim |
Garden Lighting
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message ... In article , Stephen M. Henning writes Sacha wrote: Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Why? What will you do with it? Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? Apparently you aren't familiar with the tradition of barbecue (bar-BQ). It is where you cook outdoors on a grill (charcoal or propane) and eat outdoors. If the host has a nice garden, the bar-BQ may be held in or next to the garden. If the function lasts after sundown, outdoor lighting is needed. Frequently it includes tiki torches with citronella laced fuel to keep the insects down. Poor old mother earth. The unnatural light in the garden scares off all those nocturnal creatures that don't like light . . . . . . you kill the insects so the animals that feed off the insects all die; then all the animals that feed off the animals that eat the insects all die . . . . . . and you would rather look at artificial light than the stars . . . poor old mother earth :(((((((((((( BTW in the uk when the temperature reaches a sufficient level to have a bbq outside, it stays light until it is too cool to be outside any more!!! You folks in the UK should understand that you live quite a bit further north than most North Americans and during the summer it stays light longer. In many places in August, for example, after you get home from work, have dinner etc, you're running out of light. Jim |
Garden Lighting
"Stephen M. Henning" wrote in message ... Sacha wrote: Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Why? What will you do with it? Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? Apparently you aren't familiar with the tradition of barbecue (bar-BQ). It is where you cook outdoors on a grill (charcoal or propane) and eat outdoors. If the host has a nice garden, the bar-BQ may be held in or next to the garden. If the function lasts after sundown, outdoor lighting is needed. Frequently it includes tiki torches with citronella laced fuel to keep the insects down. Yeah but by the time the weather is conducive to BbQing its light until very late and a few candles are far more romantic :~)) Jenny |
Garden Lighting
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message ... BTW in the uk when the temperature reaches a sufficient level to have a bbq outside, it stays light until it is too cool to be outside any more!!! There is no such thing as too cold to BBQ... -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see |
Garden Lighting
"Bella" wrote in message ... There is no such thing as too cold to BBQ... Wow! I can save a fortune on charcoal and firelighters if that's true! |
Garden Lighting
Jim Voege8/4/04 10:54
"Sacha" wrote in message o.uk... Jim Voege8/4/04 8:38 "Sacha" wrote in message o.uk... snip It's another world, a magic, a revelation. And all our plants are still there next morning, in the *day*light. Different preferences in "magic" ... Jim And a total loss of the *real* thing to the artificial. Big shame, IMO. -- I have gained a garden at night. What have I lost? Jim The real thing. But if you turn off your telly, turn out your house lights and illuminate your garden, sitting at a window to enjoy it, then that's your business. -- Sacha (remove the weeds to email me) |
Garden Lighting
Bella9/4/04 7:47
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message ... BTW in the uk when the temperature reaches a sufficient level to have a bbq outside, it stays light until it is too cool to be outside any more!!! There is no such thing as too cold to BBQ... -- I found a hailstorm, in Jersey, in April gave the lie to that for me. ;-) -- Sacha (remove the weeds to email me) |
Garden Lighting
In article , Jim Voege
writes You folks in the UK should understand that you live quite a bit further north than most North Americans and during the summer it stays light longer. In many places in August, for example, after you get home from work, have dinner etc, you're running out of light. So why did you post your post to a uk group? -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see |
Garden Lighting
Bella wrote:
There is no such thing as too cold to BBQ... But who wants to stand over a hot fire on a cold day? -- Warren H. ========== Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife. Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants to go outside now. Blatant Plug: Spend your Amazon gift certificates he http://www.holzemville.com/mall/associateshop.html |
Garden Lighting
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message ... In article , Jim Voege writes You folks in the UK should understand that you live quite a bit further north than most North Americans and during the summer it stays light longer. In many places in August, for example, after you get home from work, have dinner etc, you're running out of light. So why did you post your post to a uk group? Actually, I'm at rec.gardens and when I replied to the original post at the beginning of the thread I hadn't noticed that it was posted to both groups. Jim |
Garden Lighting
"JennyC" wrote:
Yeah but by the time the weather is conducive to BbQing its light until very late and a few candles are far more romantic "Bella" wrote: There is no such thing as too cold to BBQ... "Sue da Nimm" . wrote: Wow! I can save a fortune on charcoal and firelighters if that's true! We still use a fire, but we brush the ice and snow off the grill before we start. Sometimes we take the food indoors to eat, unless we have a neighbor that gets up tight about outdoor light. Then we brush the ice and snow off the picnic table and eat there so we don't have the indoor lights shining out the windows of the house upsetting our neighbor. Sometimes we even take the Scouts camping in the middle of winter and eat and sleep under the stars. |
Garden Lighting
"..... But who wants to stand over a hot fire on a cold day?....."
Some people like toasted nuts..... -- David Hill Abacus nurseries www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk |
Garden Lighting
Xref: kermit rec.gardens:271141 uk.rec.gardening:195427
In article , Jim Voege writes So why did you post your post to a uk group? Actually, I'm at rec.gardens and when I replied to the original post at the beginning of the thread I hadn't noticed that it was posted to both groups. I also have to confess . . . I didn't notice the cross post either :))) -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see |
Garden Lighting
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message ... In article , Jim Voege writes So why did you post your post to a uk group? Actually, I'm at rec.gardens and when I replied to the original post at the beginning of the thread I hadn't noticed that it was posted to both groups. I also have to confess . . . I didn't notice the cross post either :))) -- Hehe. I guess in mid-summer you guys have to stay up pretty late to enjoy those stars. Jim |
Garden Lighting
In article , Jim Voege
writes Hehe. I guess in mid-summer you guys have to stay up pretty late to enjoy those stars. In Scotland you hardly have time at all :( -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see |
Garden Lighting
The message
from "Bella" contains these words: "Jane Ransom" wrote in message ... BTW in the uk when the temperature reaches a sufficient level to have a bbq outside, it stays light until it is too cool to be outside any more!!! There is no such thing as too cold to BBQ... I suspect you haven't been to Scotland in summer. I love a winter picnic in snow round a large fire on which we cook. However a cool damp still summer day/night barbecue when midges are active, the air reeks of toxic midge repellents, and putting on your fleece jacket/midge net hat makes the host go all huffy and sniffy, is my idea of hell :-( Janet |
Garden Lighting
The message
from "David Hill" contains these words: "..... But who wants to stand over a hot fire on a cold day?....." Some people like toasted nuts..... Some people are toasted nuts.... Janet |
Garden Lighting
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message
... In article , Jim Voege writes Hehe. I guess in mid-summer you guys have to stay up pretty late to enjoy those stars. In Scotland you hardly have time at all :( Hehe. I know what you mean. Some of my countrymen who live way, way up have literally no time at all. Interesting growing season up there. So short. But so intense. Jim |
Garden Lighting
"Sacha" wrote in message
o.uk... Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Yes! Why? What will you do with it? Have trendy garden parties at night with all our friends! Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? Maybe if it looks nice This country has (IIRC) the highest light pollution in the world proportionately speaking. I can understand garden lighting when you're using a deck or terrace for a party but to light plants at night? WHY? Can't you look at them in the day time? If you live in the boondocks and need to light the path to the house - maybe install something that comes on as you approach it and goes off rapidly as you enter the house. So - FWIW, you may want to consider less light pollution and more sitting outside in the soft darkness of a summer's night looking at the *stars* which will not have been blanked out by a something-or-other lighting your Skimmia or bamboo and all those of all your neighbours. Just a teensy thought.... Doesn't really matter to me, we live in a town, we have street lights already, I don't think 5 or 6 low voltage lights are going to harm anyone! A newcomer to this village tried to get street lighting installed once - not a shrewd move. I think he moved quite soon after that. ;-) Good on him for trying. Last area I lived in had street lights installed and burglary, assult and car theft fell by over 75%! To many people are stuck in the *dark ages* on things like this, only seeing the negatives, and not the benefits! Would you rather see the stars, or be safe walking at nights! Sure, it would be great to be able to do both, but thats not the world we live in is it! On many winter and summer nights we go outside to look at the stars and even with the very faint loom of Torquay some miles away we can actually *see* them. It's another world, a magic, a revelation. And all our plants are still there next morning, in the *day*light. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) Ben Swindon |
Garden Lighting
"Stephen M. Henning" wrote in message ... Apparently you aren't familiar with the tradition of barbecue (bar-BQ). It is where you cook outdoors on a grill (charcoal or propane) and eat outdoors. If the host has a nice garden, the bar-BQ may be held in or next to the garden. If the function lasts after sundown, outdoor lighting is needed. Frequently it includes tiki torches with citronella laced fuel to keep the insects down. Indeedy! I want to throw trendy parties with our friends, BBQ, cocktails etc. Its my fiancee 21st soon, and I plan to have the garden sorted so we can have a big bash for her! Ben |
Garden Lighting
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message ... I also have to confess . . . I didn't notice the cross post either :))) -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see Ah, that be my fault! I like to get as many views on a subject as possible! Posting to just the UK group would have meant missing out on other contries views, and they might have had a different product that I could order online to what we have here in the UK. Ben |
Garden Lighting
Ben Blackmore13/4/04 8:49
m "Sacha" wrote in message o.uk... Look, I'm really sorry to rain on anyone's parade but perhaps you might ask yourselves if you really *want* garden lighting? Yes! Why? What will you do with it? Have trendy garden parties at night with all our friends! You must live in a much warmer climate than most of us. Will you actually sit at the window and turn off the telly and look out at our night-illuminated garden? Maybe if it looks nice But unlikely to be a nightly habit, is it? This country has (IIRC) the highest light pollution in the world proportionately speaking. I can understand garden lighting when you're using a deck or terrace for a party but to light plants at night? WHY? Can't you look at them in the day time? If you live in the boondocks and need to light the path to the house - maybe install something that comes on as you approach it and goes off rapidly as you enter the house. So - FWIW, you may want to consider less light pollution and more sitting outside in the soft darkness of a summer's night looking at the *stars* which will not have been blanked out by a something-or-other lighting your Skimmia or bamboo and all those of all your neighbours. Just a teensy thought.... Doesn't really matter to me, we live in a town, we have street lights already, I don't think 5 or 6 low voltage lights are going to harm anyone! All that light pollution had to start somewhere..... A newcomer to this village tried to get street lighting installed once - not a shrewd move. I think he moved quite soon after that. ;-) Good on him for trying. Last area I lived in had street lights installed and burglary, assult and car theft fell by over 75%! To many people are stuck in the *dark ages* on things like this, only seeing the negatives, and not the benefits! Would you rather see the stars, or be safe walking at nights! Sure, it would be great to be able to do both, but thats not the world we live in is it! We're perfectly safe walking at night here, that's the point that made his request so ridiculous. This is a small Devonshire hamlet/village, not a suburban housing area. There is and was no need for permanent lighting. If we walk out at night we take torches and if we go further afield we go by car. If a car goes past our house after midnight it makes us wonder who's up that late! snip -- Sacha (remove the weeds to email me) |
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