I want to do some landscape lighting and wondering if using  a 12volt
system(20 watt bulb) is more efficient than normal 120 volt  (20 watt Bulb).

"David B."
>
>I want to do some landscape lighting and wondering if using  a 12volt
> system(20 watt bulb) is more efficient than normal 120 volt  (20 watt 
> Bulb).
>


**  In a word  -  no.

But you may well find that only 12 volt is legally allowed on safety 
grounds.




......   Phil

Thanks Phil, Is there any advantage in using low voltage recessed ceiling
lighting? Seeing that the fixtures are costlier than line voltage cans, why
are they becoming so popular?
Dave

"Phil Allison" <p...@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:5...@mid.individual.net...
>
> "David B."
> >
> >I want to do some landscape lighting and wondering if using  a 12volt
> > system(20 watt bulb) is more efficient than normal 120 volt  (20 watt
> > Bulb).
> >
>
>
> **  In a word  -  no.
>
> But you may well find that only 12 volt is legally allowed on safety
> grounds.
>
>
>
>
> ......   Phil
>
>
>

"David B."
>
> Thanks Phil, Is there any advantage in using low voltage recessed ceiling
> lighting? Seeing that the fixtures are costlier than line voltage cans, 
> why
> are they becoming so popular?


**  Its all about the looks.

Spot lighting, pretty effects, full range dimming etc,  et alia.




.....   Phil

"David B." wrote:

> I want to do some landscape lighting and wondering if using  a 12volt
> system(20 watt bulb) is more efficient than normal 120 volt  (20 watt Bulb).

Low voltage halogen bulbs are more efficient than 120/230 volt tungsten
incandescents.

Was that what you wanted to know ?

Don't forget about the serious effect of volt drop due to cable resistance with
low voltage lighting though.

Graham

On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 07:44:23 -0400, David B. wrote:

> I want to do some landscape lighting and wondering if using  a 12volt
> system(20 watt bulb) is more efficient than normal 120 volt  (20 watt
> Bulb).

If you use fat enough wire, the efficiency should be practically the same -
the thing is, 12V doesn't kill pets or children.

Cheers!
Rich

I wanted to know if I would save on the electrtic bill by using 12volt. Will
be doing lanscape and soffit lighting. I have 18 ga safty wire that I can
use to minimize the voltage drop.
Dave
"Eeyore" <r...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4...@hotmail.com...
>
>
> "David B." wrote:
>
> > I want to do some landscape lighting and wondering if using  a 12volt
> > system(20 watt bulb) is more efficient than normal 120 volt  (20 watt
Bulb).
>
> Low voltage halogen bulbs are more efficient than 120/230 volt tungsten
> incandescents.
>
> Was that what you wanted to know ?
>
> Don't forget about the serious effect of volt drop due to cable resistance
with
> low voltage lighting though.
>
> Graham
>
>

"David B." <d...@glis.net> wrote in message 
news:54202$467046e5$d8ea7da1$2...@123.NET...
>I wanted to know if I would save on the electrtic bill by using 12volt. 
>Will
> be doing lanscape and soffit lighting. I have 18 ga safty wire that I can
> use to minimize the voltage drop.

You won't save a significant amount, no.  In fact, it is at
least possible you'd wind up spending a miniscule amount more.

Bob M.

"Rich Grise" <r...@example.net> wrote in message 
news:p...@example.net...
> On Wed, 13 Jun 2007 07:44:23 -0400, David B. wrote:
>
>> I want to do some landscape lighting and wondering if using  a 12volt
>> system(20 watt bulb) is more efficient than normal 120 volt  (20 watt
>> Bulb).
>
> If you use fat enough wire, the efficiency should be practically the 
> same -
> the thing is, 12V doesn't kill pets or children.

I agree with Rich ... 12 volts is a lot safer than 120 volts.  Also, it 
eliminates the need for conduit and expensive direct burial cable and that 
kind of stuff.

Efficiency, general speaking, is poorer with low-voltage systems.  Not a big 
issue unless you are going to have a rather extensive outdoor lighting 
system. 

On 13-Jun-2007, "David B." <d...@glis.net> wrote:

> I wanted to know if I would save on the electrtic bill by using 12volt. Will
> be doing lanscape and soffit lighting. I have 18 ga safty wire that I can
> use to minimize the voltage drop.
> Dave
> "Eeyore" <r...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:4...@hotmail.com...
> >
> >
> > "David B." wrote:
> >
> > > I want to do some landscape lighting and wondering if using  a 12volt
> > > system(20 watt bulb) is more efficient than normal 120 volt  (20 watt
> Bulb).
> >
> > Low voltage halogen bulbs are more efficient than 120/230 volt tungsten
> > incandescents.
> >
> > Was that what you wanted to know ?
> >
> > Don't forget about the serious effect of volt drop due to cable resistance
> with
> > low voltage lighting though.
> >
> > Graham
> >

Your 20 Watt lamp will draw ~1.6 amps from 12 Volts.  18 gauge wire might be enough for one or two
lamps but will not minimize the voltage drop.  The system is not very efficient if power is lost in
the wires.  14 gauge would be better.

Ken Fowler