REALLY don't feel like digging for yard lighting question..

[kwired]

Any suggested ground fixtures that weather the storm??? seams to me they ALL rot out, rust, corrode,,,,

Something that will weather the storm, no, but unfortunately for you making much installing - self contained solar powered units maybe the best answer, after couple years they fail and you replace them either way.

All my wife has for landscape lighting is relatively cheap solar powered units. Some do have replaceable standard AA or AAA rechargable batteries, if it needs much more than that they are cheap enough you just replace them. I have re-soldered a connection or two on them, but not worth that effort for a paying client.

 

[FionaZuppa]

Once you go powered (line AC or LV) you never go back to solar.

Powered is just way more consistent, they all light, they all light the same way, they all gone on off at same time.

Ok, that said, having a set of 12v AGM batts, a ~50watt solar panel, a small charger/controller, integrated with a LED LV lighting system, is a very nice zero $ operational cost setup. So, I call this a "solar" system, but it's nothing like the little lights that have 9sq.in or less solar panel on their tops. Sizing the solar panel and batts depends on total LED watts, on time, are all lights on at same time, and if PWM is available in the LV system. I dont run my LV lights all night, so it all depends on design and use. But since I run my lights for just a few hours each night, and the power use is low, I saw no compelling reason to integrate a solar panel and batts to try and save on power use, I pay for my util power, and I have no quest to save the Earth in 12yrs.