Love this new concept, I believe if you love your lawn, you'll love your landscaping. As an electrical engineer, I would like to point out that the polarity doesn't matter, because it is AC, not because it is low voltage. If it were 12 volt DC, polarity would indeed matter. AC stands for alternating current and the alternating they are referring to is polarity, so it swaps back and forth by nature where as Direct current or DC has a fixed polarity and it should be taken into consideration. Love you work Allen, keep it up. 😃
@@mbrown1261 yes for sure! I have a PVC conduit that will house all the wires going up from the ground. The connection in this video is just temporary for testing purposes.
I'm actually a fairly experienced DIYer and, yet, still have been hesitant to jump into DIYing my landscape lighting. Your video just gave me the "piece of cake" mentality for this. Ready to go plan my lighting and purchase my transformer, wiring and lights! Much appreciated.
This was so insanely helpful - thanks for putting this together. I was always so intimidated by landscape lighting just because it was "electrical" - this demystified the whole process.
Really like those new wire connectors. My tip to consider for lines in flower beds is to use a conduit to protect the wire from future digging. I have started using old water hose to recycle them. LED lighting has been a real plus for landscape lighting both pro and DIY installations.
Good sponsor. I put a Volt system a few years ago. Great customer support. I broke a glass shade by applying too much stupidity. I tried to buy a couple replacements and they wouldn't take my money. They shipped them for free even after I told them I broke them!
Loving the old school, vlog style shooting. Lights are going to look awesome. My wife blocks RUclips channels on my kids when they watch something inappropriate. She may block me from watching you if I keep buying everything you show on here 😂
Once I got rid of my crappy solar lights and went wired with Hue system I never looked back if anything ever goes wrong in the future with the hue lights. I’m definitely getting volt. Wired is King. Enjoy them and have fun with it.
Oh man, i just finished putting six cheap solar lights in not more than two hours ago. I’ll do Volt in a couple years when the rest of the landscaping is in place. Yours is going to look incredible when you are done!
very nice video man. I am also a diyer and have several volt lights on my property. The one thing I have learned that you could possibly have considered on the large palm tree is this--put a little more extra slack (some refer to this as a service loop) at that connection. This way if you need to replace the connection down the line, there is enough wire. I always leave enough slack for at least two future services where I might need to cut off a gel wire nut, strip for clean copper and make a fresh connection.
Great video! Very informative and too the point, without all the extra chatter!! I’m ready to try this! Just wish we could have seen the full final results. Still loved the video.👏🏽☺️
its interesting that you say, in the hubs, the polarity doesnt matter. these are LED right? LEDs are definitely polar. does that mean theres some sort of rectifier chopping this up to AC, or flipping the DC to make the light work? does that add extra cost? how much extra cost, and is the time saved in convenience worth the expense and complexity of the system?
it's something to do with modern LED fixtures. The same rule applies to my LED Christmas lights as well. Polarity doesn't matter. As far as extra cost, I don't think it matters as I don't even think you can buy low voltage LEDs that do require polarity to be consistent in this day and age. That would be a question for an electrician for sure.
Tip for Florida soil, since it's so sandy you can use a pressure washer (or even jet nozzle) and use the water to cut the trench for you. Its not for laziness but to avoid cutting/hitting any cables. Thought I'd share since it's always a concern of mine ever since I missed a water pipe by an inch.
For my tall Volt pathway lights, I upgraded the stakes to brass because the plastic ones that come in the box will break at the threaded insert if knocked hard. I also used 8# 2-part polyurethane foam in holes I dug for the lights, which keeps them similar to setting in concrete so they stay plumb.
Mr. Nut, I discovered Volt about 7 years ago and have used it on 2 houses now. Kind of expensive but they have kit sales that will save a bit. This is super high quality stuff...my big box store light kits all failed for a variety of reasons and went in the trash. while the Volt stuff has not even needed a bulb change. The web site info is excellent and customer service is as good as you say. Let the lighting domination begin. They are a little weak on automation features but I use their photocell option in the transformer which is all I need.
Nice one. 👍 They look good. I’ve already installed Philips hue outdoor lighting that has RGB. Never going back to one colour anymore. Can set the scene to any season. Enjoy!
Literally just installed a front and backyard Volt system with two transformers. Two hardest parts to the system were getting the design correct (where lights go, what type of lights, what power of LED bulb, what angle of lens, etc) and the burying of the wire. Had about 450-500' of wire to bury and started off with a trenching shovel that another RUclipsr recommended. Good god it was going to take too long. I bought the 6" trenching spade from Wilton Slimline Trenching Spade. Yes, it was $130 with shipping and I'll likely never use it again. But considering I was installing a system for about $3400 and the pros were about $9,000 or so, I could afford to blow $130. So, I knew EXACTLY where my fiber optic cable line was, and I used a little hand trenching shovel. I still nicked the line and took out my internet/phone! When the cable company guy came to bury the cable I let him borrow my Wilton Slimline Trenching Spade. He was amazed how well it worked and was going to order one! A trick he taught me is to make your trench at an angle. That way it is less noticeable when you go to stomp on it and "heal" it back up. Other tip I have is to make damn sure that you give yourself a nice loop of wire near every fixture and near every hub. That way you will always have enough to move the fixture around slightly.
Good stuff bro!! I have the trenching shovel from Lowes but I'm going to look up the one you have. I have to do some more digging for drainage so I'll use it more than just the lighting. Thank you for the recommendation !
‘ Please do a videos on… 1. Different ways to run wires or a conduit under a sidewalk/pathway 2. How to solder 3 or 4 wires together and use heat shrink wrap to connect them and still make it waterproof 3. Where should u place diaelectric grease? On the o-rings, when placing the light bulb. I heard that in a couple of years, if u don’t put diaelectric grease then u won’t be able to get the bulbs out to change them. Thanks!!! I’m trying to figure this out and do it this year!! :)
A transformer is not a step-down converter. It “transforms” the current from AC to DC. That’s why you don’t need to observe polarity. A step down converter converts to a lower DC voltage. Thanks for the video! I’ll be tackling this this year. I’ve been saying that every year for the last 10 years. I considered using a set of good quality solar lights using a remote panel but regular LV seems to be the best and most maintenance-free solution. Thanks again!
I have used Volt Lighting at my house and the Country Club I manage and it is a QUALITY product. I have used their spotlights, eyeball lights for my deck and my favorite the Salty Dog Well lights. Check out the Well lights for uplighting a featured tree. I used them for my Crepe Myrtles.
I’d agree just a novice here, but with wire nuts you should twist enough the wires start to wrap around(most people don’t do this but you should do this when wiring light switches). Wire nutts are so messy but less expensive also wrapped mine in electric tape for added security. They make another connector that combines the features of both connectors you used. Best of both worlds
The waterproof idc connectors - best practice is to put some electrical tape on them to keep them where they are. They do their job well at keeping water out of the connections, but the boxes can come open fairly easily. Just put a few wraps around the box, and on the splice put a few wraps on it. Belt and suspenders. I work for telecom company and we use the same style connections for Rg6/rg11 and the bells of the world do the same for theirs ( tape them).
When putting on a wire nut, twist them until the two wires start to wrap around each other, then pull on the individual wires to make sure they in securely inside the wire nut.
I watched about 40 hours of videos on how to do it. Including the videos Volt has created on their youtube channel. That was all I needed to gain knowledge and confidence. Once you do it, you'll find that it's actually pretty easy. 👍
Did about $4k worth of Volt this year, really pleased with the results but I didn't get a sweet free deal since a) I'm not a well-known YT celebrity and b) somebody has to pay for your free stuff, I guess 😁 Learned a lot doing a two-transformer run with 20 driveway lights (along a 200' driveway), multiple uplight and path lights, and upper and lower accent lights on the house. Long cable runs require 10 gauge wire and your total load should be no more than 80% of the transformer rated max. Don't skimp on the waterproof connectors although you could use cheaper ones than the those shown. Everything in my setup is zoned using a couple of home automation relays and include motion sensors to light up the driveway at night. Volt clamp connect transformers make connections much easier especially if you make frequent changes or additions. Also, I didn't use the metal knockouts in the transformer box but instead drilled a smaller hole in the plastic insert in the bottom and ran my connections through that.
What automation relays did you use? I just picked up a volt setup I want to zone and splitting it is proving more complicated than I expected. I was recommended the shelly mini's, but in attempting to set them up and speaking with a rep, I was told that I need to split the power coming into the transformer so the shelly can get 120v and there's nothing online mentioning how one might do that. Would love a bit more insight into your setup and what you used!
@@neilgriffiths4571Sorry, I should have been more specific but it was already a long post for RUclips. My setup is actually pretty basic using re-purposed switches and a smart outlet. I liked the idea of zoning at the transformer but couldn't figure out how to do it. Since I just needed three zones (porch, landscape, driveway) and had purchased two transformers it was pretty simple. I used a Shelly 1 on the light switch controlling line-voltage porch lights, a Shelly to toggle the switch for landscape lights (Volt 300V transformer), and a Sonoff outlet inside a Volt 600V transformer to control the driveway lights. A LoRa sensor at the top of the driveway will turn on all the lights, via Home Assistant, when someone enters the driveway. Lights are controlled via HA, mobile, Amazon Alexa, or a cheap Ikea remote. The automation stuff I already knew and I just watched a bunch of install videos to find the best way to do my long runs. I also posted questions several times on the Volt forum (forum.voltlighting.com) which might be a good resource for your questions. Happy to answer anything I can but it sounds like our use-cases might be different. Cheers!
@@joemccall8991 Thanks for that! It does unfortunately sound like our use cases are different, but I think I can get an outdoor electrical box and run an extension cord into it, so I can power the transformer and get a DC adapter to power the shellys, allowing me to switch on the 12v to the lights. I think that'll work, anyway...
I don't understand how u used the one main wiring green in 3 places? I understand how you used it for the closer light fixtures but how you used the same green wiring for the tree all the way over there? Did you have 2 green wiring cord running from the transformer?
I follow your channel, I was just looking at other people landscape lights the other night…..Went on volts web site….Iam not a cheapi but wow 300 for 3 lights….What I would need would 1000….I might pay that if they installed them….Iam gonna shop around and see what’s around st.petersburge Fl …I’ll let you know how I make out pricewise at all. I know these are very well-made lights.
I am in the same situation. I just bought a house and they ripped out all the low voltage lighting bc of lack of permit. So now I need to buy 50+ lights for front and backyard and looking at cost. Let me know which brand u find! I saw pro trade at site one landscape supply (can be bought local or online)
I installed volt earlier this year- very happy with it. You will most likely end up putting at least 2 lites on that front palm, and directing each higher to light the canopy of the palm, not the trunk, if not you will get ‘ hot spots’ on your tree trunks and its not a good look.
The most important thing i learned- dont try to light every tree in your landscape, instead choose 1 or 2 trees or architectual features and light them well. If you think you need 2 lites you probably need 3…
Great work! Only note is how critical it is to get utilities located before you dig, and make sure you understand the laws for your area (e.g. in my area digging more than 2” below grade requires a locate, along with hand digging 2ft from a located mark). Core aeration falls into this, sadly… hate it but its real.
yes agreed. Here they told me that since I was going only 6" that there was no need for location services. It was the same when we installed the underground cable for the robot mower at my neighbors house - they would not come out for that either.
You can use your edger to cut your trench for the wire. As an electrician your cover on the outlet you used to power your transformer needs to be changed to an in use bubble cover. Gfi will trip eventually if you dont
Thank you - I was wondering that. The one that is there is eaten up by the giant square plug from the water softener so I need a solution that will house that, plus the new plug and be able to remain closed. I'm going to Lowes to see what they have.
I want to do in ground landscape lighting but for now I went with a cheaper alternative of quality solar lights. They have lasted me 2 full years now and still going strong but I really want to upgrade at least some of them. Probably would be very expensive to do all of them with the hundreds of feet of wire and all the fixtures I would need to do my large property the way I want it
I don't know ow what that means lol. But if you are talking about "dialing it down" then yes you can. I am playing with that tonight in fact. I want it to be more subtle for sure.
Don’t you need a rubber grommet when taking cable through a metal box? Or a fixing that fixes to the box that clamps the cable so it can’t be pulled out of the box
yes, I have a PVC conduit that I will use when I do the final hookups. This was just a test to make sure that my connections were good. It's not permanant.
Lovely, but how the you know what can we "not worry about polarity", especially with light emitting *diodes*. I know, from house painting that if the wires got crossed (black to white to just fixture) that the incandescent doesn't (obviously) care, but that LEDs should, since current can only go one way through a diode (hence the *emphasis*). So, shouldn't there be shorts and disconnects if we don't have to worry about polarity, which, to me, is simply not lining up the proper side of the wire (or color), such as one side is + and the other, -, and in between are the lights, in parallel? When making little solar lights, I imagine a "ladder" diagram, where one side is + and the other, -. The rungs are a wire to LED, then another wire to the other side of the "ladder". This is parallel. If all the lights are in series, it would be easier, as long as the "series driver" has enough voltage, such as if there was ten, 3.2v LED lights, that the driver would have to be at least 32v or so. But in parallel, 12v (or 13 and 14v) is all you need as long as wattage rating is adhered to (oh, and 3 or 4 LEDs, in series at their own fixture and a little resistor, since individual LEDs are only like 3v or so). So, I know this much but how the HELL would I not get mixed up by not worrying about which main wire (I guess it's "12/2"? ) is hot, or common (or + and -). Is the 12v AC? Still, I don't understand and don't want to *cross the wires*. Thanks. BTW, great video, especially because this wiring stuff, without need to deal with polarity is, like really thought provoking, and because you showed how to do it well.
Wow your cable line isnt really that deep....i know ours are about 12" down. I also did a low voltage Hue system but this seems pretty easy as well. Maybe in my next house
Hey there Alan , a bloke in Australia died installing fairy lights on the house. Ironically it was Ian Molly Meldrum, the biggest queer guy of rock , goin bye aussie standards of rock media. So its not queer to light up , but it was queer that was how a fairy queen died.
Point of caution: Careful with using long lengths to bury for later. You’re adding a lot of length that could cause voltage drop if you’re not careful. Short runs it’s fine (
Nowhere near as good with lighting and also the Settings automations and also the length of time they burn out around 12, midnight, 1 o’clock the latest
Just wait til you have to troubleshoot the wiring cause lights aren’t working, oh boy half the time you have to pull up all the dam wiring to find the issue
Love this new concept, I believe if you love your lawn, you'll love your landscaping. As an electrical engineer, I would like to point out that the polarity doesn't matter, because it is AC, not because it is low voltage. If it were 12 volt DC, polarity would indeed matter. AC stands for alternating current and the alternating they are referring to is polarity, so it swaps back and forth by nature where as Direct current or DC has a fixed polarity and it should be taken into consideration. Love you work Allen, keep it up. 😃
Thank you for the clarification !! I read all I can to learn and comments like yours help bring better understanding.
Also needs a wire grommet going into the transformer box to protect the wiring from cuts and shorting out.
@@mbrown1261 yes for sure! I have a PVC conduit that will house all the wires going up from the ground. The connection in this video is just temporary for testing purposes.
@@mbrown1261 And bugs.
Love that you're venturing out into more landscaping and not just lawn. Lord knows I need to work on my yard more than just the lawn.
*** LOVE MY VOLT LIGHTS***
So glad to see you working with Volt Lighting, Allyn. I hope it’s a prosperous relationship.
This video was a huge help for me. Thanks for making it!
I'm actually a fairly experienced DIYer and, yet, still have been hesitant to jump into DIYing my landscape lighting. Your video just gave me the "piece of cake" mentality for this. Ready to go plan my lighting and purchase my transformer, wiring and lights! Much appreciated.
that is great to hear!! you are going to have fun too - it's rewarding because the day you are done, you see the results that night. It's cool.
This was so insanely helpful - thanks for putting this together. I was always so intimidated by landscape lighting just because it was "electrical" - this demystified the whole process.
Ran a big volt install a couple years ago at my house. Absolutely love it and zero issues.
Really like those new wire connectors. My tip to consider for lines in flower beds is to use a conduit to protect the wire from future digging. I have started using old water hose to recycle them. LED lighting has been a real plus for landscape lighting both pro and DIY installations.
excellent suggestion using old hoses!
Volt couldn't have sponsored a better guy.
Thank you !
Thanks for sharing you proyect.....now your house looks really cool when people drive by....cobgrats!!!!🤝🤝🤝🤝
Good sponsor. I put a Volt system a few years ago. Great customer support. I broke a glass shade by applying too much stupidity. I tried to buy a couple replacements and they wouldn't take my money. They shipped them for free even after I told them I broke them!
Allyn that is a cool project. I’m going to think about lighting my backyard with those lights next year.
This is awesome, can’t wait to see the fully finished.
Loving the old school, vlog style shooting. Lights are going to look awesome.
My wife blocks RUclips channels on my kids when they watch something inappropriate. She may block me from watching you if I keep buying everything you show on here 😂
🤣🤣🤣
Very helpful, thank you. Good idea with color coding the wires.
Once I got rid of my crappy solar lights and went wired with Hue system I never looked back if anything ever goes wrong in the future with the hue lights. I’m definitely getting volt. Wired is King. Enjoy them and have fun with it.
Great video, Allyn! Perfect timing on those RGBW fixtures. They can really add a whole new layer to holiday lighting.
Looks like a neat system. Definitely looking forward to seeing how the rest of it comes together.
Volt makes good equipment. I ran over 20 lights and still running strong. CS is top tier.
Glad I’m not the only one who uses the trash bin as a workbench
Oh man, i just finished putting six cheap solar lights in not more than two hours ago.
I’ll do Volt in a couple years when the rest of the landscaping is in place.
Yours is going to look incredible when you are done!
I started with solar lights from Amazon. They worked well for 3 years. The technology in them has improved greatly in recent years.
very nice video man. I am also a diyer and have several volt lights on my property. The one thing I have learned that you could possibly have considered on the large palm tree is this--put a little more extra slack (some refer to this as a service loop) at that connection. This way if you need to replace the connection down the line, there is enough wire. I always leave enough slack for at least two future services where I might need to cut off a gel wire nut, strip for clean copper and make a fresh connection.
Love the new set up killing it bro I really miss this style of video
Great video! Very informative and too the point, without all the extra chatter!! I’m ready to try this! Just wish we could have seen the full final results. Still loved the video.👏🏽☺️
Nice work big AL.👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
its interesting that you say, in the hubs, the polarity doesnt matter.
these are LED right? LEDs are definitely polar.
does that mean theres some sort of rectifier chopping this up to AC, or flipping the DC to make the light work? does that add extra cost? how much extra cost, and is the time saved in convenience worth the expense and complexity of the system?
it's something to do with modern LED fixtures. The same rule applies to my LED Christmas lights as well. Polarity doesn't matter. As far as extra cost, I don't think it matters as I don't even think you can buy low voltage LEDs that do require polarity to be consistent in this day and age. That would be a question for an electrician for sure.
Great job. Just installed a Volt transformer today.
awesome. They are such a good company to work with too. And their equipment and fixtures are all good quality
thats nice in all but will they work with cool season lawns
🤣
awesome video. ive wanted to install some of these for a long time.
Tip for Florida soil, since it's so sandy you can use a pressure washer (or even jet nozzle) and use the water to cut the trench for you.
Its not for laziness but to avoid cutting/hitting any cables. Thought I'd share since it's always a concern of mine ever since I missed a water pipe by an inch.
Works for lazy too, lol
Looks great! Nice job ❤
Great video. I guess I have my next project. Thanks for the info.
For my tall Volt pathway lights, I upgraded the stakes to brass because the plastic ones that come in the box will break at the threaded insert if knocked hard. I also used 8# 2-part polyurethane foam in holes I dug for the lights, which keeps them similar to setting in concrete so they stay plumb.
Thanks so much! Will try this.
Love the content brother as always. I did cringe when you threw those Costas on the rocks though 😅
Mr. Nut, I discovered Volt about 7 years ago and have used it on 2 houses now. Kind of expensive but they have kit sales that will save a bit. This is super high quality stuff...my big box store light kits all failed for a variety of reasons and went in the trash. while the Volt stuff has not even needed a bulb change. The web site info is excellent and customer service is as good as you say. Let the lighting domination begin. They are a little weak on automation features but I use their photocell option in the transformer which is all I need.
Dominate Day & Night!!
Nice one. 👍 They look good. I’ve already installed Philips hue outdoor lighting that has RGB. Never going back to one colour anymore. Can set the scene to any season. Enjoy!
Yeah its fun. I did a pink and turquoise like Miami Vice 😂
Lights look great Al👍🏼
Thank you !!
Any discount from Volt for subscribers?
That's a good suggestion. I'll ask them. We still have several more videos to do. 👍
Literally just installed a front and backyard Volt system with two transformers. Two hardest parts to the system were getting the design correct (where lights go, what type of lights, what power of LED bulb, what angle of lens, etc) and the burying of the wire. Had about 450-500' of wire to bury and started off with a trenching shovel that another RUclipsr recommended. Good god it was going to take too long. I bought the 6" trenching spade from Wilton Slimline Trenching Spade. Yes, it was $130 with shipping and I'll likely never use it again. But considering I was installing a system for about $3400 and the pros were about $9,000 or so, I could afford to blow $130. So, I knew EXACTLY where my fiber optic cable line was, and I used a little hand trenching shovel. I still nicked the line and took out my internet/phone! When the cable company guy came to bury the cable I let him borrow my Wilton Slimline Trenching Spade. He was amazed how well it worked and was going to order one! A trick he taught me is to make your trench at an angle. That way it is less noticeable when you go to stomp on it and "heal" it back up. Other tip I have is to make damn sure that you give yourself a nice loop of wire near every fixture and near every hub. That way you will always have enough to move the fixture around slightly.
Good stuff bro!! I have the trenching shovel from Lowes but I'm going to look up the one you have. I have to do some more digging for drainage so I'll use it more than just the lighting. Thank you for the recommendation !
‘
Please do a videos on…
1. Different ways to run wires or a conduit under a sidewalk/pathway
2. How to solder 3 or 4 wires together and use heat shrink wrap to connect them and still make it waterproof
3. Where should u place diaelectric grease? On the o-rings, when placing the light bulb. I heard that in a couple of years, if u don’t put diaelectric grease then u won’t be able to get the bulbs out to change them.
Thanks!!! I’m trying to figure this out and do it this year!! :)
Great detailed video. Can i use a 12v DC supply instead of 12v AC? Outdoor ac transformers are not available here.
A transformer is not a step-down converter. It “transforms” the current from AC to DC. That’s why you don’t need to observe polarity.
A step down converter converts to a lower DC voltage.
Thanks for the video! I’ll be tackling this this year. I’ve been saying that every year for the last 10 years. I considered using a set of good quality solar lights using a remote panel but regular LV seems to be the best and most maintenance-free solution.
Thanks again!
a transformer does not convert to dc, which is polarity sensitive. A transformer changes the AC voltage from 120VAC to 12VAC.
I have used Volt Lighting at my house and the Country Club I manage and it is a QUALITY product. I have used their spotlights, eyeball lights for my deck and my favorite the Salty Dog Well lights. Check out the Well lights for uplighting a featured tree. I used them for my Crepe Myrtles.
I’d agree just a novice here, but with wire nuts you should twist enough the wires start to wrap around(most people don’t do this but you should do this when wiring light switches).
Wire nutts are so messy but less expensive also wrapped mine in electric tape for added security.
They make another connector that combines the features of both connectors you used. Best of both worlds
Great job. Thank you for sharing.
The waterproof idc connectors - best practice is to put some electrical tape on them to keep them where they are. They do their job well at keeping water out of the connections, but the boxes can come open fairly easily. Just put a few wraps around the box, and on the splice put a few wraps on it. Belt and suspenders. I work for telecom company and we use the same style connections for Rg6/rg11 and the bells of the world do the same for theirs ( tape them).
That's great advice. Thank you. I'll wrap thr once I did yesterday before I bury them.
When putting on a wire nut, twist them until the two wires start to wrap around each other, then pull on the individual wires to make sure they in securely inside the wire nut.
Outstanding I’ve always been afraid about the electric and solar sucks so thx
I watched about 40 hours of videos on how to do it. Including the videos Volt has created on their youtube channel. That was all I needed to gain knowledge and confidence. Once you do it, you'll find that it's actually pretty easy. 👍
Did about $4k worth of Volt this year, really pleased with the results but I didn't get a sweet free deal since a) I'm not a well-known YT celebrity and b) somebody has to pay for your free stuff, I guess 😁
Learned a lot doing a two-transformer run with 20 driveway lights (along a 200' driveway), multiple uplight and path lights, and upper and lower accent lights on the house. Long cable runs require 10 gauge wire and your total load should be no more than 80% of the transformer rated max. Don't skimp on the waterproof connectors although you could use cheaper ones than the those shown.
Everything in my setup is zoned using a couple of home automation relays and include motion sensors to light up the driveway at night. Volt clamp connect transformers make connections much easier especially if you make frequent changes or additions. Also, I didn't use the metal knockouts in the transformer box but instead drilled a smaller hole in the plastic insert in the bottom and ran my connections through that.
What automation relays did you use? I just picked up a volt setup I want to zone and splitting it is proving more complicated than I expected.
I was recommended the shelly mini's, but in attempting to set them up and speaking with a rep, I was told that I need to split the power coming into the transformer so the shelly can get 120v and there's nothing online mentioning how one might do that.
Would love a bit more insight into your setup and what you used!
@@neilgriffiths4571Sorry, I should have been more specific but it was already a long post for RUclips. My setup is actually pretty basic using re-purposed switches and a smart outlet. I liked the idea of zoning at the transformer but couldn't figure out how to do it. Since I just needed three zones (porch, landscape, driveway) and had purchased two transformers it was pretty simple.
I used a Shelly 1 on the light switch controlling line-voltage porch lights, a Shelly to toggle the switch for landscape lights (Volt 300V transformer), and a Sonoff outlet inside a Volt 600V transformer to control the driveway lights. A LoRa sensor at the top of the driveway will turn on all the lights, via Home Assistant, when someone enters the driveway. Lights are controlled via HA, mobile, Amazon Alexa, or a cheap Ikea remote.
The automation stuff I already knew and I just watched a bunch of install videos to find the best way to do my long runs. I also posted questions several times on the Volt forum (forum.voltlighting.com) which might be a good resource for your questions.
Happy to answer anything I can but it sounds like our use-cases might be different.
Cheers!
@@joemccall8991 Thanks for that!
It does unfortunately sound like our use cases are different, but I think I can get an outdoor electrical box and run an extension cord into it, so I can power the transformer and get a DC adapter to power the shellys, allowing me to switch on the 12v to the lights. I think that'll work, anyway...
I don't understand how u used the one main wiring green in 3 places? I understand how you used it for the closer light fixtures but how you used the same green wiring for the tree all the way over there? Did you have 2 green wiring cord running from the transformer?
I follow your channel, I was just looking at other people landscape lights the other night…..Went on volts web site….Iam not a cheapi but wow 300 for 3 lights….What I would need would 1000….I might pay that if they installed them….Iam gonna shop around and see what’s around st.petersburge Fl …I’ll let you know how I make out pricewise at all. I know these are very well-made lights.
You can get Volt kits at Cosco so maybe check there.
I am in the same situation. I just bought a house and they ripped out all the low voltage lighting bc of lack of permit. So now I need to buy 50+ lights for front and backyard and looking at cost. Let me know which brand u find!
I saw pro trade at site one landscape supply (can be bought local or online)
They look good. I bought solar lights from Amazon and they aren’t that bright but definitely a lot easier to install. 🤪
Good job! Do you have a gas light? Let me know.
I installed volt earlier this year- very happy with it. You will most likely end up putting at least 2 lites on that front palm, and directing each higher to light the canopy of the palm, not the trunk, if not you will get ‘ hot spots’ on your tree trunks and its not a good look.
Thank you. I do still have a lot of learning to do on how to throw the light. I'm going to mess with the different filters tonight too.
The most important thing i learned- dont try to light every tree in your landscape, instead choose 1 or 2 trees or architectual features and light them well. If you think you need 2 lites you probably need 3…
Great work! Only note is how critical it is to get utilities located before you dig, and make sure you understand the laws for your area (e.g. in my area digging more than 2” below grade requires a locate, along with hand digging 2ft from a located mark). Core aeration falls into this, sadly… hate it but its real.
yes agreed. Here they told me that since I was going only 6" that there was no need for location services. It was the same when we installed the underground cable for the robot mower at my neighbors house - they would not come out for that either.
Alan, we need an entire video on automatic sprinkler timers. Thanks.
Great job.
I’d invest in the Klein tool wire stripper and cutter in one. Even one project was worth it 23 lights cutting and stripping like a boss
Volt has good quality solar lights to.
Good work
How do you waterproof the Christmas lights and the outdoor plug for the transformer?
Would it be ok to use an edger to cut both sides of a trench and lift the sod with a spade and the easily lay sod back in after?
In Idaho we have Dig Line. Before you dig you call them and they come mark up your property where the lines are hot. Free.
We have that here too. But only going 6" deep they wont even show up.
You can use your edger to cut your trench for the wire. As an electrician your cover on the outlet you used to power your transformer needs to be changed to an in use bubble cover. Gfi will trip eventually if you dont
Thank you - I was wondering that. The one that is there is eaten up by the giant square plug from the water softener so I need a solution that will house that, plus the new plug and be able to remain closed. I'm going to Lowes to see what they have.
I want to do in ground landscape lighting but for now I went with a cheaper alternative of quality solar lights. They have lasted me 2 full years now and still going strong but I really want to upgrade at least some of them. Probably would be very expensive to do all of them with the hundreds of feet of wire and all the fixtures I would need to do my large property the way I want it
Can you change the color temperature? Need more like 5000k..
I don't know ow what that means lol. But if you are talking about "dialing it down" then yes you can. I am playing with that tonight in fact. I want it to be more subtle for sure.
How does automation work? They turn on automatically? Off in Am? Also I see you used remote close to light…no app control?
I'll be using Ring smart plugs inside the transformer.
LCN, try hitting the knock outs from the inside if you only want the small one out (1/2 inch) the bigger one is for 3/4 inch...
Don’t you need a rubber grommet when taking cable through a metal box? Or a fixing that fixes to the box that clamps the cable so it can’t be pulled out of the box
yes, I have a PVC conduit that I will use when I do the final hookups. This was just a test to make sure that my connections were good. It's not permanant.
Can you control these w/ an app? I dont' like hand held controllers.
not the colors - need the remote for that. As far as turning them on and off, I will be using a RING system for that.
So it doesnt matter which wire is positive or negative like regular power wire?
Correct
Why does it look like you have a green main line on one side of paver edging and the same green main on other side of paver edging?
How do you put a timer on the lights?
Lovely, but how the you know what can we "not worry about polarity", especially with light emitting *diodes*. I know, from house painting that if the wires got crossed (black to white to just fixture) that the incandescent doesn't (obviously) care, but that LEDs should, since current can only go one way through a diode (hence the *emphasis*). So, shouldn't there be shorts and disconnects if we don't have to worry about polarity, which, to me, is simply not lining up the proper side of the wire (or color), such as one side is + and the other, -, and in between are the lights, in parallel?
When making little solar lights, I imagine a "ladder" diagram, where one side is + and the other, -. The rungs are a wire to LED, then another wire to the other side of the "ladder". This is parallel.
If all the lights are in series, it would be easier, as long as the "series driver" has enough voltage, such as if there was ten, 3.2v LED lights, that the driver would have to be at least 32v or so. But in parallel, 12v (or 13 and 14v) is all you need as long as wattage rating is adhered to (oh, and 3 or 4 LEDs, in series at their own fixture and a little resistor, since individual LEDs are only like 3v or so).
So, I know this much but how the HELL would I not get mixed up by not worrying about which main wire (I guess it's "12/2"? ) is hot, or common (or + and -). Is the 12v AC? Still, I don't understand and don't want to *cross the wires*.
Thanks.
BTW, great video, especially because this wiring stuff, without need to deal with polarity is, like really thought provoking, and because you showed how to do it well.
I have learned to never use their terminal blocks. I Always use uninsulated butt connectors with marine shrink tube.
Tap into it. Good video
Wow your cable line isnt really that deep....i know ours are about 12" down. I also did a low voltage Hue system but this seems pretty easy as well. Maybe in my next house
"Its always better to run long... if you know what i mean." 😂
When stripping wire, make sure ALL the goes inside the connector with no exposed wire outside your connector...
Light Care Nut!!!
😂 you know it!!!
Hey there Alan , a bloke in Australia died installing fairy lights on the house. Ironically it was Ian Molly Meldrum, the biggest queer guy of rock , goin bye aussie standards of rock media. So its not queer to light up , but it was queer that was how a fairy queen died.
It’s hard to beat solar lights. There are some crazy bright ones on Amazon
I agree - I've had those up until now and they have worked well.
Glad I used XMCOSY landscape lights and did not have to do any of this.
Point of caution: Careful with using long lengths to bury for later. You’re adding a lot of length that could cause voltage drop if you’re not careful. Short runs it’s fine (
I am all about solar lighting, no wires and in the Florida sun lots of free power
But they are no where near as intense, right?
Nowhere near as good with lighting and also the Settings automations and also the length of time they burn out around 12, midnight, 1 o’clock the latest
Once you go wired, you’ll understand you’ll never wanna look back
Cut the wire and find out? 😮😅
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
You make it look like even I could do this. bahhaha
Those are bright as hell hahaha
Yeah I think I can tone them way back. I need to mess with the remote some more tonight when it gets dark.
Just wait til you have to troubleshoot the wiring cause lights aren’t working, oh boy half the time you have to pull up all the dam wiring to find the issue
Yeah I'm keeping good notes and records so hopefully that will help one day if I do.
paint the water conditioner black
I stopped the video at two minutes in. These are way too expensive for. most homeowners
Not helpful to a novice.
I did 3 videos in the series - I think if you watch all of them you will find it helpful
Yes first
11:55 Curious anole
good eye!