skip to main content

Can the 120 volt lantern pole lantern be used in a 12 volt system?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I bought traditional post light (120 volt) with three lights on one post (have 2 posts). Bought 12 volt 15 watt candalebra bulbs that fit perfectly. Connected to low voltage circuit however lights not turning on. Fixture says 60w per bulb and mine was a only 15w with total of 45 watts per post light. Not sure why lights not turning on. power going to transformer despite both these post light does not turn on.. I do have other landscape lights on this low voltage transformer. I Appreciate any suggestions. What conversions are needed?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
3 years ago
are you sure the wires coming to, from the transformer did not get damaged?

are you sure the 12v transformer did not get a surge and fry when the old light was broken?

what is the total available wattage for the transformer you have?

does the transformer have a power switch or timer? is it hardwired or plugged in, have you checked the plug?
0
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
3 years ago
and YES it can be used!
0
Related Discussions
Can I use a "Power Pack" Transformer in this Situation?
Q
Comments (1)
I received some responses about this on the Electrical Wiring Forum.
...See More
Bought Juno Trac 12; Have 120V direct wire--now what?
Q
Comments (2)
The route which will give the least headache is to use direct wire 120V AC lighting. Two other alternatives 1. Have the existing 120V AC wiring for the UCL separated out to form the low voltage wiring. Downsides - may not be simple depending on how it was wired up. A separate 120V AC run (with switch(es)) is required to the power supply (transformer). 2. Fish new low voltage wiring and add a separate 120V AC run with the necessary controlling switch(es) to the power supply (transformer). Your electrician will need to use the appropriate wiring gauge to account for the voltage drop and current draw. In both cases, the power supply could be left in the basement. Both could require additional holes inside the cabinets.
...See More
Electric ? - Volts and Amps
Q
Comments (3)
Your electric bill will be the same either way because it's metered/billed in watts (measure of work being done), which is equal either approach you take. 3 amps current is quite low and can be easily handled by the more economical light-wire gauges like 14awg (which is safe up to 15amps). Step up to 12awg and you can run up to 20 amps. After that, say 10awg, and the price really starts going up per lineal foot of wire.
...See More
Can 120v generator work with backfeed breaker?
Q
Comments (28)
Thanks for the follow-up, Breaker. I'm looking into powering both legs of my 240 panel with a single 120 generator, sort of along the line of what you were looking to do. I've already bought an interlock kit for my DO panel and really want to avoid using a transfer box. My plan was to wire it with 8/3 (for if I ever upgrade to a bigger generator) all the way out to the outside connection box. And I already have a 10/3 outside cable where I was planning to cut the generator side of the plug and replace it with a 10/2 plug, connecting both hot wires of the 10/3 wire into the single hot connector of the 10/2 plug. I thought I had it all figured out when I bought all this last year, but now having a little concern about powering both legs at the box with the single leg from the gen. I do know about being careful to stay under load limits and keeping off any 240 loads. This setup seems to be the simplest and at the same time offers the most flexibility about which circuits I want to power, and stay with a small 4k watt generator to keep noise and fuel consumption down (important for neighbor and fuel availability reasons). I welcome and would appreciate advice from anyone on what I mentioned above. IÃ¢ÂÂm a computer tech but a have a lot to learn when it comes to house wiring. This post was edited by rmui on Wed, Mar 6, 13 at 15:49
...See More
Ronnie
Original Author
3 years ago
RL, The transformer doesn't appear to have surged or doesn't it appear to be damaged in any way. It is a Malibu 300 watt transformer with a dial type timer with inserts on the dial to set times to operate. The transformer is plugged in and the low voltage wires are connected to the transformer. The other low voltage path lights and step lights all operate fine. Only the post lights are not operating. Do the candelabra sockets go bad? How do I check them?
0
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
3 years ago
how much wattage is already on the line?
0
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
3 years ago
If you just bought it new than no i doubt that, sometimes the little tabs at the bottom of the socket get pushed down and make for a shotty connection, sometimes the bulbs are cheap and the solder point on the bottom is too small.
0
PRO
User
3 years ago
You have a 120 volt fixture supplied with low voltage from a landscape transformer? That won’t work. 120 volt fixtures are not intended to work with low voltage lighting. The fixture itself would need to have its own internal transformer, for that to work. It needs a direct 120 electrical supply, and standard bulbs.
0
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
3 years ago
but one socket should work, not all three, is this at the end of a line? middle? perhaps take a working fixture and connect that to see if it helps, perhaps take the wires, pigtail a plug onto it and put a 120v bulb in plug it in and see if the fixture works?
0
PRO
User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Nothing will work when it is not wired correctly. Supply it with the correct exterior direct burial electrical supply line, right voltage, and right bulbs, and it should be fine. It’s not a low voltage fixture and is not wired correctly if low voltage anything is in the picture.
0
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
3 years ago
wrong, every post mounted light you buy in a store has the same sockets, its the bulb voltage, not the wire, not the socket.
0
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
3 years ago
that is so wrong........... this is just to support my cost, I sold all forms of lighting for YEARS, and I know how this works honest to goodness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q4cgym322Y
0

Related Stories

OUTBUILDINGS 12 Fun Backyard Forts Grown-Ups Can Love, Too

By Becky Harris

Kids might use them for secret meetings, but the word is out on these tree houses and playhouses that consider adult design tastes

LIGHTING 12 Fun Light Fixtures Made From Found Objects

By Becky Harris

Trash became treasure in these one-of-a-kind lights. See if they inspire your own DIY pendant project

GREEN BUILDING Sunlight Used Right: Modern Home Designs That Harness Solar Power

Embracing passive heating principles through their architecture, siting and more, these homes save energy without skimping on warmth

EDIBLE GARDENS Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden

By Abundant City

Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10 Things to Consider for a Sustainable Landscape Design

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Talk to your designer about materials, water use, maintenance and other elements that impact your yard’s footprint

FLOORS Is Radiant Heating or Cooling Right for You?

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Questions to ask before you go for one of these temperature systems in your floors or walls (yes, walls)

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Which Pergola Is Right for You?

By Joanna Tovia

A covered pergola can increase the time you spend in your outdoor living space. Which covering should you choose?

BATHROOM DESIGN Warm Up Your Bathroom With Heated Floors

By Tiffany Carboni

If your bathroom floor is leaving you cold, try warming up to an electric heating system

MOST POPULAR 11 Things to Expect With Your Remodel

By Ventana Construction LLC

Prepare yourself. Knowing what lies ahead during renovations can save your nerves and smooth the process

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 3 Ways to Light the Garden With Less

By Falon Mihalic

Use less energy and lower your electricity bill with these landscape lighting options

Sponsored

More Discussions

need help picking out a light

2

bathroom light fixture

16

Lighting over double vanities with two mirrors.

2

Need ideas for a light for our kitchen table to compliment our island

3

living area ceiling fan

8