How to Daisy Chain Lights Together

How to Daisy Chain Lights Together | Landscape Lighting

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3 жыл бұрын

If you have ever wondered what daisy chaining lights mean or how to do it, watch this video.
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@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching the video! If you want to learn more or need help, here are 3 options. ✅ Feel free to check out my FREE PDF download of the fundamentals of landscape lighting course.aklighting.net/freepdfdownload Or ✅ Get the landscape Lighting I recommend! diycourse.aklighting.net/lightingrecommendations Or ✅ Complete Start-to-Finish Guide for Your Lighting Project Get affordable professional help so you can install your lights the right way course.aklighting.net/diylandscapelightingcourse

@ethanweed 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I’ve read several tutorials and watched a couple of videos on daisy-chaining, and this is the first one that actually explains the concept clearly.

@aklighting8292 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@rrose002 6 ай бұрын

Absolutely the best explanation on KZfaq for wiring, I can't believe it took so long to find it! Thank you

@helpicantfindaname1 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making these videos. I've wanted landscape lighting for years but have never had the money for it. With the help of Google and your channel/videos I was finally able to get my lighting done today! Thanks

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! I'm glad you got your lights done! If you don't mind, I'd love to see how it turned out. If you're good with that, send it via email or facebook or IG.

@bmw3842 Жыл бұрын

Love the Crape Myrtle in your yard ..

@NateMartin1 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, I really appreciate your videos!

@aklighting8292 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@Agui1226 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the vid it was helpful

@davidm1118 Ай бұрын

I want to say THANK U 😭

@legend6591 9 ай бұрын

When you say daisy chain , does that mean in series or parallel ?

@kwesty1 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Adam, I failed to see where you actually connected the wires. Specifically, how did you join the wires from the light to the main wire which you cut? Perhaps, this is in another video? anyway, I appreciate what your doing, it is helpful when trying to understand the in's and out's of ODL. Cheers

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Great idea. I'll add it to the list. I hope you'll understand it better soon!

@tribhatt1557 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for showing this. You did not show how to connect Daisy Chain wires. Is there any separate video for that?

@JerryGilkerson-mu2we Ай бұрын

Adam I have one transformer working I am attempting another transformer on the same circuit. All are led. The second transformer is powered on but no lights will come on. I have replaced the wire but still nothing. What am I doing wrong?

@hendrixghost Жыл бұрын

hi. i love your vids.can i use 14 gauge low voltage landscape wire with my lights that have 18 awg?

@FixItWithMe Жыл бұрын

How would u solder three wires together in a daisy chain and add shrink wrapping to waterproof it??

@nickhulsing9764 Жыл бұрын

I am installing lights on my deck stairs. They are obviously close together. Does each light need to make a separate connection to the main wire, or could I put multiple lights in the same connection?

@gustafbradshaw236 2 жыл бұрын

Can you set up a daisy chain of landscape lighting without cutting the main cable? What connector would you use to clamp the fixture wire to the main wire?

@carolebersole4025 Жыл бұрын

My professional landscape installer used connectors so the main cable wasn’t cut. I would think cutting the main wire at each light would not be a good idea, despite the waterproof connectors.

@juvoncampbell6249 2 жыл бұрын

How do I get a three wire daisy chain to work? The main power side work and not the other side. I tied all three wires together. Thanks.

@kbentz108 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your helpful videos. Are you a fan of daisy chaining? I've learned so far that every wiring method has their pros and cons. Daisy chaining saves wire but doesn't it create more splices throughout the system? More splices=more difficult to troubleshoot the system or a particular zone? On the other hand, less splices means you're probably using more wire and probably using hubs too, which increases the cost of your project but makes it easier to troubleshoot? For example you could take your fixture's standard 4 ft wire, splice it with your extra wire from your spool and then run directly to a hub that's connected to the transformer, or maybe order your fixture with 25ft of fixture wire and you could probably run the fixture wire all the way directly to the hub (this longer lead wire option would be more money but again, it's a more direct line with way less splicing for easier troubleshooting). Am I thinking about this the wrong way? Stay safe, God bless.

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Great thoughts and questions! I'm a big fan of daisy chaining on smaller jobs, and I only string about 5-6 lights on a run. For larger homes, I tend to have more main wires with "hubs" and less daisy chaining. For trouble shooting, I think its easier with daisy chaining because you know that if the last 4 lights are not working, they are all connected and you know the cut wire is in between the the light that's working and the light that is not working. I will definitely make a video that goes over the pros and cons of daisy chaining. Thank you!

@kbentz108 3 жыл бұрын

@@aklighting8292 thanks!!

@tazmankb26 3 жыл бұрын

I just subscribed and really like your tutorials. Can I tie a Volt 4 light kit to an existing landscape lighting system (Kitchner) that lights up my arbor? Would I just daisy chain off one of the existing lights or would it be better to run a new lead for the set of 4 into the existing 300W transformer? That transformer is not even at capacity now so it has plenty of room for growth.

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Yes you can add them to the existing system. If the Kichler wire is a 12/2 wire, I would suggest daisy chaining it. If now, then run a separate wire.

@normancuccio6644 2 жыл бұрын

Can you clarify how the wires connect into the grease cap at the intermediate light? Does each wire from main wire in, wire to light and main wire out connect together at each wire to light or does one of the 2 wires , of the main wire need to remain continuous and run uninterrupted along the length of the main wire until the last light in the series?

@aklighting8292 2 жыл бұрын

Great question. Essentially you cut the main wire to splice the light into the main wire. So yes each light is attached to the main wire.

@robertf7982 2 жыл бұрын

Can you Y it off in two different directions. Split 2 lines into 1 line

@anrod185 2 жыл бұрын

Is there a limit on connecting to existing runs?

@IndependenceCityMotoring 2 жыл бұрын

Is there a way to leave the main wire uncut and then just get connectors that pierce the wire through the insulation?

@aklighting8292 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, that is how most "box stores" sell their lighting. I would not recommend doing that. The uncut wire gets wire in it and corrodes the copper strands over time. The piercing connectors are not secure of water proof, often they disconnect from the wire.

@terrencemahanna6418 2 жыл бұрын

Doesn't wrapping the excess wire at each fixture create additional inductance that exacerbates voltage loss?

@aklighting8292 2 жыл бұрын

It does a little, but not much.

@mgg6905 Жыл бұрын

Is it safe to daisy chair 100 watt flood lights?

@irfhuss6882 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Why not just run one wire and use the cable connector clips that attach to the main wire from the transformer and put the wires from the light onto those clips?

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Are you referring to the connectors that snap on and pierce the wire with a metal pin? If so, those dont last very long and end up with more issues overtime than they should. As a professional, I'd rather install a connection that will last a lifetime instead of constantly fixing the lighting system.

@DynamicJon 3 жыл бұрын

I've read sometimes people do like a giant loop where the main wire runs back to the transformer from one point in the transfer, back to another point in the transformer - is that a common or normal thing to need? Seems like it would add more work?

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not quite sure what you're talking about. From what I think I understand, it's not common.

@Mary-ln8uk 3 жыл бұрын

Good job AGAIN!! Where did you purchase the waterproof covers?

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I get them at local irrigation stores.

@IronBallsMcNeese Жыл бұрын

I got some at lowes

@Hunter-vb8wo 2 жыл бұрын

How far can I run 12/2 wire with five 4 watt led lights? I plan on getting a volt transformer with a 15, 14, 13, and 12 volt tap. My farthest light will be 270’ away. I plan on doing a T method which will be a total of 350’ of wire on the tap. Will 12/2 work? Or should I go with 10/2?

@brianjmortensen 10 ай бұрын

Hello Hunter, If your power unit is a Multi Tap 100W+ Transformer, and you apply a combined fixture (bulb) load of 20W, and have a total wire length of 350-Ft, your voltage drop at the furthest out fixture will be 1.867 Volts. You CAN use 12/2 direct bury wire for that run, and apply a combined 20W load. I recommend using the 13V terminal tap, so that your voltage drop is reduced only to 11vac. Most modern LED bulbs have a range of operating voltage. I found this data by using the Ewing Voltage Drop Calculator App. It’s free and simple to use. I have found it helpful when planning a new job (and pricing wire for the estimate). Brian

@spartan3467 3 жыл бұрын

How long can your main wire be before you start to lose power to the further lights? I'm planning to daisy chain the lights as you've shown and having one main line to a 300w transformer using 16/2 wire and about 90w total on the line (possibly adding more later on so I went with a bigger transformer). Thanks.

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

If you have about 6 lights total with LED you can use 16/2 wire, but with 90 watts, definitely use 12/2 wire.

@spartan3467 3 жыл бұрын

@@aklighting8292 just curious what would happen if I did use 16/2 wire? I have about 20 lights total so I probably have to switch to 12/2 anyways. Can you connect 16/2 wire with 12/2 wire?

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Short answer is 1. The lights probably won't turn on because there isn't enough electricity going to them (or only half will work or half work and the rest will be dim) 2. If they do turn on you will probably trip the transformer breaker because you are essentially working it too hard trying to shove so much electricity through a tiny wire to so many lights. 3. If everything work, it won't stay that way for long...for a few reasons.

@spartan3467 3 жыл бұрын

@@aklighting8292 got it, thanks. I'll switch to 12/2. I was only going to run a few lights so started with 16/2 but now I'm planning to add more.

@jasonwilliams8875 3 жыл бұрын

I have a question my customer wants a dimmer on his backyard led lights. Can you run on off the transformer box?

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

There are a couple options. You can buy a dimmable transformer or look into a dimmer. Sadly I don't have much experience with either, so I'm not much help. Sorry! It's on the list of things to look into.

@jasonwilliams8875 3 жыл бұрын

Ok thanks. Ya it’s kinda a weird thing my customer wants. he wants it so he can turn the lights up when having party’s in his back yard.

@JammerGT 2 ай бұрын

What lights are you using?

@dreamingcode Жыл бұрын

It's frustrating that none of your videos in this series shows you how to power the lights outside. What is it being plugged into a my wiring this into a panel inside? Is there a Transformer that plugs inside the house?

@careyedwards5662 3 жыл бұрын

What gauge wire are you using? I saw two gauge of wire at my local big box stores. Can you explained

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

I mainly use 12/2 for the main wire and 16/2 for the rest.

@manoj93sharma 3 жыл бұрын

@@aklighting8292 so how about running 12/2 to all sections from the transformer. Then use the lower gauge wire such as 14/2 or 16/2 that comes with kits to install the fixtures in a daisy Chain manner 2 to 3 lights per section. I ran 12/2 to my 3-4 areas which are very close to one another. Did use 12/2 everywhere based on ur videos

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

@@manoj93sharma If the wires are 14/2 or 16/2 not 18/2, you can connect/daisy chain 6-8 lights together on 1 main 12/2 gage wire.

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

@@manoj93sharma BTW great job!

@IronBallsMcNeese Жыл бұрын

@@aklighting8292 Does this mean that you can use 12-2 directly from the transformer to the first light, then daisy chain the rest of the lights with a 16-2?

@roadshoulderphotography683 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for explaining Daisy Chain. I notice it looks like the main line is low voltage line, I wanted to do the same this with a 120 line for regular LED bulb lights on my patio wall. Will I be able to to the same process for the heavier line. I should I worry about the type of wire I bury in the yard ? I hope you can understand my question.

@s.m.newlin3401 10 ай бұрын

Do NOT TOUCH THE HOUSE VOLTAGE. DO NOT BURY ROMEX (120 line) IN THE DIRT. YOU NEED A JUNCTION BOX FOR EVERY SPLICE AND THAT WOULD NEED TO BE ON A POST WELL ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. CALL AN ELECTRICIAN FOR 120 VOLT.

@mineralt 2 жыл бұрын

How do I get Daisy Duke to come over to my house?

@aklighting8292 2 жыл бұрын

You probably need to call up Catherine Bach 😂 Can't help you there.

@TheNewps 8 ай бұрын

Great video of not actually showing how to daisy chain the light together.

@billweitzel4986 Ай бұрын

Why dig through the lawn instead of the mulch?

@bmw325ia 2 жыл бұрын

Someone commented the same, you really didn’t show which wire is connected where, please follow up video or reply

@OFR 2 жыл бұрын

Yes please replace this with the full and simple demonstration of how the wires connect...

@aklighting8292 2 жыл бұрын

Will do!

@kenziebrax 2 жыл бұрын

How do you price your jobs?

@aklighting8292 2 жыл бұрын

I currently price my installs based on the cost per light fixture(s) + the transformer(s). The price of the materials, labor, etc in go into the cost of the light fixture. Hope that helped!

@chvyguy21 3 жыл бұрын

Great info, but recording yourself actually connecting the wiring would’ve helped…for us visual learners.

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. I try to make my videos as helpful as possible I'll definitely add that in the future.

@ThatOneOddGuy 3 жыл бұрын

so basically a parallel bridge

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Never heard of that term, sounds right

@ThatOneOddGuy 3 жыл бұрын

@@aklighting8292 parallel circuits is that a commoner term for describing types of basic circuits If no I believe the term is regional

@Mommanoodle Жыл бұрын

Why would you show what to do? What wire connects to which wire ?

@davidbriggs8076 2 жыл бұрын

I'm now more confused than before I started

@nasserdiyqtrdny9500 Жыл бұрын

Firstly I will daisychain toys from the same battery so I can test my level app i'll play with a safe 3 V of electricity because my country does not use 120 V he was double of that

@s.m.newlin3401 10 ай бұрын

Better to not daisey chain. Instead run you main line out like the trunk of a tree. Then cut a loop that would be your perimeter or canopy of the tree, which should pass by every light. Connect that big loop to itself and the main line so that the electricity is disbursed evenly through the entire system. Attach each light as he said in the video. Yes you use a lot more wire, but its better to have the first light and the last light running without voltage drop. Daisey chain for 3 lights on a very short run, is fine.

@markcreighton4646 3 жыл бұрын

Why is having an intro important?

@aklighting8292 3 жыл бұрын

Because I like it :)

@lisabulich7191 Жыл бұрын

no offence, but very difficult to follow your instructions

@ChiBr33zy 5 ай бұрын

How can you not understand 😂. He explained it pretty clearly and even showed you what each splice looks like. If you can follow this then I think you need to tough up some money and hire a professional.

@ViejaEscuelaGamer Ай бұрын

It's not difficult to understand, but Daisy chain is probably the worst method for low voltage light. Because you can lose voltage from the first to the last light.