Norminn wrote:
hobbes wrote:
Hi,

I am interested in installing some low voltage landscape lights. I am
looking at 12v systems. I looked at the lights at Home Depot (Malibu)
where the spot lamps 20w are about $US 14.00 each. These look flimsy.
If I were to spend something like $US 30 per lamp, what would be a
good brand / model to buy?

I am looking for MR16 Based Accent spot lamps, and I live in
NorthEastern USA. So get snowy winters, well now I do, not sure what
global warming will bring... has stayed pretty mild recently.

Another question is, in general are lamps which will take 50w bulbs
better built that the ones which have a max wattage of 20w?

Best, Mike.


A friend of mine has an ancient Malibu system, and parts of her system
went bad .. Florida, on the water. I had the dubious honor of shopping
with her to buy replacements and she had an electrician install them.
New transformer, some new wiring, new fixtures and bulbs. I learned way
more about Malibu than I ever wanted to know. I learned a little that
most folks probably know .. don't over- or under-size the trans. related
to number and size of bulbs. Size and length of wire matters. If a
bulb burns out, replace right away or the added power burns out other
bulbs. Her system, if original to the house, would be close to 35 years
old. Used all the time, rare problems.

She's gotten good service 35 years, man. I installed Malibu's also in
the metal series vs. plastic, both spots and paths. However I used
Vista pro transformers. Vista has a great wizard for calc'ing out the
wire, transformers, etc.
http://www.vistapro.com/wirewizard.htm