In article ,
John Rumm wrote:


Does this include all the trasformers (freqently these are not rated for
external use either)?

As mentioned, transformer are included but are also the plug
for each kit and NO, they're not externally rated!

Where would you ideally like to control the lights from?

Somewhere on or around the deck. Not from wall socket in house.

Hmmm, don't fancy that much...

Why's that?

A fused spur can supply any number of sockets...

OK, thanks for pointing that out.

Are all these transformers supplying the same sort output (i.e. 12V AC
for example)?

Yes they are, I think its all 10V AC.

I think I would be looking at doing the vast bulk of the wiring, and
switching on the low voltage side of things. Perhaps building a new PSU
that can feed a LV supply from the house to the deck, and then having
whatedver switching is required for the different lights in the LV
wiring on the deck. That saves lots of fuss messing about with 240V
outside.


Due to other, ongoing building works currently happening, I do have an
available cable route from the garden, through the kitchen, garage
and into the understairs cupboard where the consumer unit is. This is
all via 2" conduit hidden behind fixtures and fittings. Are you
suggesting that I add a new circuit to the consumer unit, using one
of the spare 'ways', and fit a PSU which converts 240V to LV (replacing
the kit supplied transformers) and suitable for providing LV to all
3 lighting circuits in unison? And then interrupting the LV supply to
each by installing the desired switches?

Sounds like a potential solution and seems proper. How do I go about
calculating the requirements and selecting the correct components to
allow this?


Does not say if they are AC or DC, but at a guess they will be AC. Not
sure what the LED lights will expect however. Assuming they all want 12V
AC then an electronic LV lighting transformer of the type used for
internal halogen lighting could supply enough juice for the whole setup.
One hefty ish cable run outside from the house to the deck, switched and
then direct connection to the lights.

Is this an alternative to the above or in addition? It sounds
like an option as the biggest problem I have is the kit supplied
transformer plugs and it seems plausible that there would be a
transformer on the market that would cater for all three circuits.
Again, I lack experience with LV systems, but assume that such a
device would have an array of (2 or more) connectors and converts
240V on one side to multiple LV outputs on the other? I can then
install switches on each LV feed?


You can forget about all the bundled transformers that way, and not
worry about using mains outside at all.

Have I understood you correctly? Which do you think is more
appropriate and cost-effective?

thnks,

deano.