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How to connect low voltage garden lights?

Is there any reason a he29 connector cannot be put on this lead either before the transformer or after the transformer as they both appear to be 5v

The Holman underwater lights unfortunately have a normal 2 pin mains connection with the small inline transformer and won’t connect to the 2 pin Holman connection on the Holman controller I would like to connect them to.

As we are only dealing with 5 volts I don’t see any issue as it’s not mains power unless anyone can advise otherwise or if any damage might occur to the lights.
In my photos the small rectangular box is the underwater lights transformer and the other 2 are the Holman controller

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Comments

EricL

Hello @bn71

In the interest of health and safety, I suggest consulting an electrician in regards to your plan of joining these two separate electrical parts together. Unexpected electrical reactions and incorrect connections could cause electrical fault, shock or injury. I propose getting a professional opinion before proceeding.

Let me call on our experienced members @CSParnell and @MikeTNZ for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we ca help with, please let us know.

Eric

CSParnell

Hey @bn71 @EricL

You have a mismatch of transformers here.

They are both 12vdc but the current is wrong, the original Holman is 5 amps 60w, where the black one in the image is approx 0.5 amps 5w.

It wont be enough to drive your lights unless they are max 6w LED 12vdc

bn71

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60686#Comment_60686

Hi @CSParnell

just to clarify the black 0.5 amp transformer is the that I want to cut the plug off and put a 2 pin connector on so it can connect to the 5 amp controller.

Can I just cut the transformer off of the 0.5 amp and connect via a 2 pin plug into the controller like the other lights do?

Would I be correct in saying the following

1. Both are 12v so no chance of light damage.

2. Maximum supply to lights on black transformer lights that I want to remove transformer from and add connector to is 12v x 415ma or 4.98 watts (5 per label) so it cannot power or supply for than 5 watts of attached lighting.

3. The connector added to the lights (point 2. above) has a maximum supply of 12v x 5amps for a capacity of 60w (manual recommended not powering more than 55w or 75m of cable.

4. Based on the above there is no harm to the lights and they can be powered from the controller by using the appropriate 2 pin connector joined correctly to plug into the controller?

I 100% understand and agree that 240v is a professional electrician domain, both for a risk and legal viewpoint and I don’t encourage anyone to do any mains powered work, however 12v is not mains power and I can’t see any more risk to this than plugging in any of the components so long as the connector has the correct polarity and is connected appropriately.

Thoughts?

bn71

Obviously 12v but can’t edit original post

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60725#Comment_60725

Hi @bn71,

Please allow me to tag @CSParnell, so he is notified of your response and question.

Hopefully, he will respond shortly.

Jacob

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92817#Comment_92817

@bn71

As mentioned on the output side of the 12vdc the amps are going to be your restriction. Think as it as a water hose. The water is your voltage you are delivering the same water but the amps are the pressure applied (how hard you turn the tap on).

Your lights are like a water canaster you fill up from the bottom with no over flow once they full they can't be filled anymore and they won't take anymore but if there is not enough pressure to fill them up to the top they will only remain say 1/4 full.

With your old Incandescent globes they would operate at lower voltage or current but with LED if the voltage/current/polarity isn't correct they just don't work.

So what does the mean?

If you total current for all globes required is 5amps then 0.5amps is not enough to power them despite having 12vdc.

If your total current for the globes are 0.4amps then the LED driver will power it.

Now to the other side of the LED driver / transformer.

Unfortunately it is 240Vac on the primary so this is a no go for anyone unlicensed.

My advice. Swap like for like as a whole unit, you avoid mismatch of drivers, you avoid any messing with mains.

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