Outside the house led lighting

[Bill]

We’re building our retirement hone on 30 acres in rural Montana. The house is single story with a porch wrapping around 3 sides. We’ll have nice lighting on the porch, but I want to be able to illuminate 360 degrees around the house at night- if there’s something outside like a bear, mt lion or wolf.

I know how to wire switches so they can all be turned on by multiple switches at all external doors (3-way and X switches). 120v lights are large and pretty ugly. These would be thinner.

I was thinking about wiring these type 12v narrow led lights under the gutters on the fascia, and painting them to match the fascia color. Install a 12v transformer and use 120v switches and wiring.

Thoughts?




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[Kelmat]

I believe those are 12 volt DC lights. You would need an inverter to convert your 120 AC to 12 volt DC.(RV inverter)

[Bill]

Outside the house led lighting

Yes, they’re 12VDC.

120VAC to 12VDC transformers are $10. Going the ‘other way’ requires an inverter.



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[Pedernal]

Not a bad idea. I have been thinking of running some of the cube style LEDs as security style lights .

Just make sure the lights & transformer/power supply don't get too hot as some of the higher wattage LEDs tend to do. Additionally, when you get the transformer/power supply make sure you get one rated for significantly more wattage than the accrual LEDs require.

What wattage are those in the pic??

[Johnny Dangerr]

I have 12 low watt lights on every corner of the house. Will be going this way next.....

[JayB]

These will wire in to eaves and stay flush

https://www.amazon.com/Lithonia-Ligh...6639331&psc=1#

.....and God Bless America.

[kmitchl]

We used 120 volt LED flood lights around our house when we built two years ago. Minimal energy usage but good lighting. IIRC the fixtures were around $25 each. The bulbs are the expensive part at $12 each with two per fixture but they do last much longer than the incandescent. Before you wire a bunch of three ways look into Smart switches. They work through your home internet network and have a built in timer allowing you to program each to turn on and off at a set time. Plus you can have an app on your phone that operates them manually. Four switches from Amazon were $60.

[Bill]

Outside the house led lighting

Pedernal- they’re 18W each. Also saw. They’re IP68 rated which is designed for continuous immersion- should be good for driven rain.


JayB- I’m thinking about lighting-up the area surrounding the house/ porch, not under the soffit and the porch itself- but thanks.

Kmitchl- good idea, I’ll look into that. My idea is these are ‘middle of the night, *** is that outside we just heard’ lighting. I want to be able to light-up all the perimeter with one flip of a switch next any of the external doors of the house.

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[Bill]

8 led lights at 18 watts each is 144 watts. Divide by 12 volts, 12 amps with all 8 illuminated. 15 amp 14 gauge wire/ switches should work.

150 watt transformer is $32 on amazon.




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[Mike D]

Outside the house led lighting

8 led lights at 18 watts each is 144 watts. Divide by 12 volts, 12 amps with all 8 illuminated. 15 amp 14 gauge wire/ switches should work.

150 watt transformer is $32 on amazon.




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I’d get a bigger transformer than that Bill. Preferably only load to 80% of rated output.

You also need to consider voltage drop. Typically about 50’ is as far as recommended to push 12 volts and you may have problems at that distance.

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[TMC50]

We just have flood lights with LED bulbs and it lights our house up. I can see out any window for a good 100 ft. I adjust them in the back to light up my BBQ pit and cutting table.

[ruger41]

Just get a security camera set up. They have night vision options and you can see what's going on from the safety of your recliner. You would then be able to respond appropriately without letting what ever it is know you are there.

[Bill]

Just get a security camera set up. They have night vision options and you can see what's going on from the safety of your recliner. You would then be able to respond appropriately without letting what ever it is know you are there.

NV scope and take out the threat!
Thanks for all comments.


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[Kossetx]

Bill, Like TMC I have my house surrounded by standard flood fixtures with LED bulbs. They're up under the eaves for protection. I have a wall of windows and I'd say I can see 200 ft at night. The nice thing about unseeing par38's is you'll always be able to match them up when they are needing replaced.