A How To Guide For Installing 12V Garden Lighting
An easy guide to installing low voltage 12v garden lighting
You may ask yourself why would I need to run my garden lighting at a low voltage of just 12v ‘DC’. Well, there are TWO main reasons I will discuss here as follows:
The first thing to consider is safety when installing anything electrical.
Running any outside lights using a reliable and safe 12v dc power supply reduces the risk of injury from high voltages substantially. In the event, damage to cables could mean the escape of dangerously high AC voltages into damp soil (which could of course electrocute not only the owner but anyone or anything else unfortunate enough to venture there). Of course a properly installed outdoor AC power circuit should be protected by a residual current device to chop power off if or when problems occur.
The second point here is efficiency.
One of the things we like about using 12V lighting direct is that it is more efficient. If however, you really want to ramp up the efficiency, it is strongly recommended to install a simple solar PV system. This consists of a Solar PV cell, solar power regulator and often a modest 12V gel battery. One can then harvest the power of the suns free energy and utilise it to power the exterior lighting either via the built in dusk till dawn switch or simply use a regular lighting switch to operate the lighting as required.
Most people who consider themselves competent at ordinary DIY tasks will almost certainly enjoy installing a 12V DC lighting circuit into an garden project, outbuilding or shed. Maybe install some safety lighting at the remote stabling.
Take a look at the items you will need:
Your chosen lamp fitting (from your local lighting or DIY, electrical store). Normally, you can easily convert an AC lamp simply by installing a 12V OnSolar CFL, CCFL or LED Light bulb. The exception to this will a non standard lamp with a special fitting that is not either B22 or E27 or one that has internal electronics incorporated such as dusk till dawn, PIR or dimming.
Other items required include; interior or exterior grade cable (as the case may be). You will also need a 12v lead acid battery, a suitably rated light switch (most domestic switched will suffice with a single 12V compact fluorescent lamp of say 7W). You will need a suitable fuse (we recomend a simple blade style car fuse system for small 12V DC lighting projects), a connector block, and an exterior grade (IP 65) connector box to mount to the outside of your shed or outbuilding.
If you do not intend to purchase dedicated solar PV equipment (or not yet anyway), your garden lighting can of course be powered by a dedicated indoor 12v power supply. Tip: 1 amp at 12V DC is equal to 12 watts.
Your garden lighting can be controlled form within the home or from a remote position by using a remote mounted switch or by using a ‘key fob’ style remote control. Always remember that a power transformer left plugged in may consume power even if the garden lighting circuit is turned off, in this case it can be better to turn off the transformer at source or unplug it.
Always use a fuse to protect your 12v garden lighting circuit. When using a lead acid battery, it is important to ensure this is mounted close to the battery and of a suitable rating to prevent fire in the event of a short circuit.
Tip: Mount the fuse near to your battery and remeber 1 amp is equal to around 12watts
Want to find out more about OnSolar 12V Garden Lighting, then visit OnSolar’s site to find out more 12V Garden Lighting Specialist See our special 12V 7W Cold Cathode lamps!