Today's Technology and you

Today's
TECHNOLOGY AND YOU

New fiber-optic, low voltage landscape lighting

Many types of efficient, easy-to-install lighting kits

Q: Dear Jim: I want to add some landscape and security lighting in my yard. I prefer lighting kits that I can install myself to save money and ones that are efficient. What type of general purpose lighting kits do you recommend? - Jan T.

A: Dear Jan: The newest fiber-optic or low-voltage landscape and security light kits would be the best choice for all your outdoor needs. These kits are very easy to install yourself and they are energy efficient. Purchasing a complete kit (transformer/timer, fixtures, wiring, etc.) is the simplest method or you can buy all the components separately.

Since you can install these kits yourself, you will not have to be concerned about limiting the number of lights to minimize the electrician's fees. This allows you to locate the lights to target the lighting to specific areas instead of just flooding a larger area with light.

By targeting smaller selected areas with more, but lower-brightness fixtures, you will cut your electric bills. This also reduces the stray light that causes problems for birds and some nocturnal animals. In the subdivision where I live, most people have wasteful floodlights on all night and the sky never gets really dark. Many municipalities are passing ordinances that limit the number of lumens (brightness) of outdoor lighting allowed.

Over the past several years, there have been many ornate and contemporary models introduced. Some of the most ornate redwood, cedar and die-cast metal models can cost from $50 to more than $100 for each light fixture. For those on a tight budget, the complete lower-cost durable plastic kits are still available. You can mix and match various fixtures and add just a couple of the expensive ornate ones in high-visibility locations.

Hi-tech fiber-optic lighting kits are the safest to install and use because the individual light fixtures have no-electricity connected to them. A single projector box, that houses only one light bulb, is plugged into a standard electrical outlet. You can locate the projector wherever you wish. You may want to attach it to a motion-sensor switch for times when you are not using the outdoor area. This can frighten away an intruder.

Once you install the projector, locate the individual light fixtures wherever you need them. Some kits allow you to install up to 24 bollard-style lights to a single projector unit. Run the thin fiber optic cables from the projector to the individual light fixtures through your gardens, along walkways, etc. You will be surprised how durable the fiber optic cable is. Each fiber optic fixture has the equivalent light output of a 10-15 watt low-voltage light.

Futuristic-looking fiber optic lighting fixtures are also available, but you can use only a maximum of 16 fixtures per projector. An optional slowly spinning color wheel inside the projector can change the colors of the lights. For swimming pools, decks, patios, etc., contour lighting using a side glow fiber-optic cable is attractive. The entire cable glows to mark an edge or a walking path.

The variety of designs and applications of safe low-voltage (12-volt) lighting kits is constantly expanding. For example, built-in deck and stair lights are available. New "let's edge it" kits are ideal for

James Dulley is a mechanical engineer who writes on a wide variety of energy and utility topics. His column appears in a large number of daily newspapers.

18 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • MAY 2001

lining walkways and driveways. These use realistic-looking durable plastic bricks that weather like real brick. With built-in wiring connectors, they just snap together.

A 20-foot kit includes six lighted bricks and 22 unlighted bricks. The swiveling connector pieces between the bricks looks like real mortar. This allows the bricks to form a curve to follow a walkway. If you want to accent trees, for example, they swivel enough to form a 42-inch diameter circle.

Most low-voltage lighting kits now offer features like automatic timers, electric eyes and dimmer controls. Many new all-metal designs use frosted and decorative cut glass for attractive and efficient lighting. New designs, specifically for landscaping, such as inverted tulip-shaped lights and ones with planters built into the base, are ideal for flower gardens.

Another key area of improvement has been in the wiring connector design. If you have ever tried to attach old fixtures and ended up with sore fingers and lights that flicker, you will appreciate this. These new connector designs are much easier to snap on to the heavy 12-volt wire. Some are now also sealed to minimize corrosion for true maintenance-free operation.

There are several light bulb options with low-voltage lights. Choose fixtures with halogen bulbs and built-in reflectors for bright directional accent lighting. Small standard incandescent or super-efficient five-watt fluorescent bulbs are good choices for pathway or area lighting.

Write for or instantly download from www.dulley.com Utility Bills Update No. 983 - buyer's guide of 13 low-voltage/fiber optic lighting and brick kit manufacturers listing styles, fixture materials, features, prices and outdoor lighting design tips. Please include $3.00 and a business-size SASE. James Dulley, Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 54987, Cincinnati, OH 45254.

MAY 2001 • ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 19