Garden lighting installation and cable conceal

[ettman8]

Smart garden lights installed to give the backyard fence and surrounds a new look.

• The project
• Tools and materials
• Steps
• More inspiration for backyard lighting

The project

This project was to install some garden lights to be able to see the perimeter of the garden at night. Part of the post covers what I did to run the low voltage cabling across a path and hide away all of the cabling.

Tools and materials

Materials used in the project:

• Pope 150mm round valve box
  
  
• Conduit
  
  
• Screw in tent pegs
  
  
• D.I.Y. smart garden lights
  
  
• Light extension cables
  
  
• Extra garden lights
  
  
• Cable clips.

Tools used in the project: 

• Hand trowel
  
  
• Impact driver
  
  
• Hammer.

Steps

Step 1

Planning:

• Power source: We had an external power source attached to the side of the house, however, we had to add extra extension cables to reach the back fence.

• Wi-Fi: We were installing a smart unit so it was important that it was in Wi-Fi range to be able to control it.

• Cable management: We had to run a long length from the plug to the back fence but also cross a path, so we had to conceal the low voltage cable underground somehow.

• Protecting things from the elements: We also wanted to conceal the control unit and not have it exposed to the elements.

Step 2

 

Concealing the controller:

• We used a round valve box to house the controller.
  
  
• We dug out a 15cm hole and put the valve box in the ground.
  
  

Step 3

 

Running the cable across the path:

• We threaded the low voltage cable through the conduit.
  
  
• Excavated a shallow trench in the decorative rocks we have.
  
  
• Used screw in tent pegs to secure the conduit to the ground. We found that if we didn't secure it to the ground, it kept surfacing through the rocks.

Please be aware this is only appropriate for low voltage cabling. Do not bury regular power extension cords.

Step 4

 

Running the cable along the fence:

• To ensure we don't ever sever the cable during gardening, we opted to run the cable along the fence and secured it using cable clips. 

Step 5

Installing the lights:

• Closed the trench with rocks again.

• Planted all of the lights along the perimeter.
  
  
• Enjoyed the end results.

More inspiration for backyard lighting

Workshop member weekenddiyer hung backyard festoon party lights to add ambience to alfresco dining at night.

Community member rahatsaini affixed this rain curtain water feature with LED lights to his side fence.

[Akanksha]

You've done a terrific job adding ambience in your garden, @ettman8, congratulations! Trust you've been enjoying spending time in your garden. 

Many thanks for sharing details of this project and look forward to seeing what you tackle next.

Akanksha