Landscape Question

[Zbach]

Total length of run is 200'
I have 18 12volt lights totaling 160 watts.
Now my question is can i run 8-2 landscape wire and hook up to a 300 watt multi tap transformer and tap onto say 18 volts to make up for voltage drop?

 

[charlie b]

If you do that, then the first light in the string is going to get a voltage that is nearly 50% higher than it is rated to handle. Not recommended.

 

[480sparky]

Voltage drop is also a function of amperage. And amperage is determined by the number & wattage of the bulbs.

If you succeed in getting 12v at the end, then the voltage will rise when one bulb burns out. This may or may not affect the rest of the bulbs, but it may end up in a cascade effect, burning out all of them.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

You can try this site

or you can go to kim lighting. Go to page 90 in the low voltage landscape pages of the pdf file.

 

[Zbach]

Scratch that multi tap transformer part of the question that was dumb. 10 wire should be well enough for this run right?

 

[stickboy1375]

I would do multiple runs and I would get the transformer as close as possible and split the load up equally. Even use multiple transformers to eliminate the voltage drop. Your scenario has disaster written all over it.

Here are some other good layout ideas to help eliminate voltage drop.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Scratch that multi tap transformer part of the question that was dumb. 10 wire should be well enough for this run right?

For a 200 foot run and 160 watts you would need #8/2 and a 300 watt transformer.

I would do as Stickboy suggested or perhaps put the transformer half way and feed both directions..This way you probably can use #10/2 without any problems. But remember if someone wants to ever add to this you may wish you used #8/2. Unfortunately 8/2 is very expensive.

 

[Zbach]

Going to go with the transformer in the middle of the run that seems like the best bet. Thanks guys.