The voltage drop calculator may provide the answer, and putting the transformer in the middle and having the runs go out in both directions, as another member suggested, is a good idea. Another common thing to do is, using the 12 gauge wire, make parallel runs. So one run is 40 feet, let's say, and has 4 fixtures, and it's closest to the transformer. Then the second run has a 80' wire running along the first, and has 4 fixtures on the second half of the wire (between 40' and 80'). And so on with the others. One way to combat voltage drop is to use heavier gauge wire. Also, spreading out fixtures puts more of a drag on the wire, so there's less drop-off when the fixtures are clustered.

So, what you are saying is that homeowners have asked for transformers that can be mounted outdoors? That may be but I am not sure there is that much customer feedback in the transformer marketplace from homeowners. I ended up buying a transformer that is rated for being mounted indoors or outdoors and mounted it indoors mainly because I had feeds going 3 sides of my house and the conduits were aready installed into the house. There were very specific requirements for installation of the transformer indoors such as clearances, mounting on non-combustible surface, etc. What puzzles me is what in the construction of a transformer would cause it to be hazardous to be mounted indoors if it was only rated for outdoor use. To me, it seems only the clearances required around it for heat dissipation and being mounted on a non-combustible surface and not near a combustible surface would be the main requirements for mounting indoors. Can anyone shed light on this? What exactly is different about an outdoor and indoor transformer that limit where it is installed (other than a rating that says "Don't do it" from some agency)? (no pun intended)

Update on the transformer and dimmer issue. The retailer sent a 60 Watt transformer to test with an ELV dimmer instead of the magnetic one. It's tiny, smaller than the dimmer and much cheaper, like $65 instead of $200 for the 150 Watt transformers. We got the package via UPS on Monday (not Next Day Air when sent on a Friday) and the lights worked fine but the dimmer did not work. The transformer was installed in a wall space near the ceiling. Today they disconnected the transformer and installed it all a different way, with the transformer installed behind the dimmer/electric box. It all seems to work with the exception of one bulb that won't fully dim. I'm just glad we have lights finally. They will install the kitchen lights once the additional 3 transformers arrive, which should be tomorrow.

Talk to some landscape designers and ask to see their portfolios. I’ve looked at a lot of landscape photos online and most of them are overdone, loaded with too-wavy lines, unnecessarily complicated shapes, fire pits and fountains that no one uses, redundant “features” and stepping stone paths to nowhere. A good pro design will address your family’s needs in the simplest way possible, IMO, taking into consideration the amount of time you want to spend maintaining it. Making a list of your needs and wants and a sketch of your yard as suggested above is the first step. You can do it yourself if there are no grade change or drainage issues, or paver installations that you can’t manage or aren’t willing to learn how to do correctly, but it’s hard physical work and there’s a lot to learn first. Planting and mulching is moderately hard work but doable with some advice on plant selection from a good nursery or the forums. Books from the library or online advice on proper planting methods are important for success. Having a lawn seeded or sodded is not that expensive in my area. Lighting is a job for pros. Here is an outdoor living area with a patio for sitting/dining, grill, lawn, simple flower beds, and not-yet-mature plantings for privacy in the background. It provides a walk from driveway to house. Small tree for shade. Retaining wall provides an interesting grade change. Out of view is a bird bath for bird watching, and additional small sun and shade gardens. No squiggly lines, extraneous rocks and gravel, squirting fountains, monuments to stone-look blocks, or kitsch. Simple. Professionally designed. Last summer this area was a construction site with a new septic system being installed until the patio, sod, and new driveway and were installed around October. There is enough space here to satisfy an urge to garden but not so much that it creates a burdensome maintenance problem. Beds are kept mulched for weed control and moisture retention. You could easily do something like this in your yard even if you completed the project over time. Some of the garden accoutrements here have been collected over a 25 year period. Some of the gray pots on the ground are 3 or 6 dollar plastic pots from walmart painted with rustoleum camo color spray paint that blends in with the concrete and stone. They were lime green before. Good luck and try to enjoy the process.