Sea Gull Ambiance Landscape Lighting How to Install Your System

Sketch your home and grounds, deck, fence, shrubs, trees, etc. in scale on a piece of graph paper. Each block on the paper can represent any dimension you desire - 2', 4', etc. depending on the size of your property.

Pick the focal points (areas you want to be the center of attraction), a large tree, statue, fountain, etc. Choose no more than two and use remaining lighting as accents (path lights, wall brackets, step lighting, etc.)

Select fixtures and locate them on your plan - path lights, well lights, spot lights, accent lights, etc. (use a different symbol to represent each type of light being used). Use our recommended spacing and proper light bulbs to achieve desired effect.

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Select location of transformer (this layout has the front yard transformer in the garage and the back yard transformer on the back of the house). (use a different symbol to represent transformers, cable and connectors). Connect all fixtures and use the bill of materials to calculate the total lengths of cable required. (12 gauge - 250W max., 10 gauge - 300W max.)

You may wish to purchase a transformer and several different lights that you intend to use, as well as cable and bulbs to test your lighting layout at night before proceeding with the entire plan.

Calculate transformer size by adding individual fixtures together, Front of this home requires a 300W transformer and the back requires a 600W transformer. Always buy a transformer with capacity between 50 - 100% of the required load.

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When using an outdoor receptacle, hang transformer at least 12" above the ground. Attach cable and adjust photo control so that it will not be affected by artificial light. Be sure the receptacle is GFI protected.

Lay all fixtures on ground at location on graph paper. Run cable above ground by each fixture. Cable can be left on the surface, covered with mulch, buried underground or stapled too trees or fences. No need for expensive installation costs.

Use fixture with 3' section of cable or for component fixtures, cut a 3' section of cable and attach to socket with wire nuts. To make connections use silicone wire nuts (9386) or use the cable connector (9381-12) to splice to main cable. With this method, fixture can be moved in any direction if it is not in the desired location.

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Before you bury the cable or secure fixtures, turn on the transformer at night and reposition fixtures if necessary for optimum effect. The safe, shock-free 12 volt system is easy to disconnect and relocate fixtures or to adjust the aiming angle without any concerns about shock hazards.

Slice through the sod with a spade or make a trough in the mulch to run the cable (above left). Force the cable into the spade opening with a wooden stick to avoid damaging the cable, or cover the cable with mulch (above right).

Press the fixture stake into the spade opening until the post rests at ground level (above left). Secure the base to a deck, wall, fence, or tree with screws for hidden cable (above right) or break away tabs on base for surface mount wiring.

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TRANSFORMER technical information

Low Voltage Transformers

As the heart of Ambiance Low Voltage Lighting Systems, Sea Gull Lighting transformers are designed to operate quietly and efficiently while providing a safe power conversion. To ensure safety and retain the Sea Gull Lighting Warranty and UL listing of the entire system, always use transformers supplied by Sea Gull Lighting. They have been designed specifically for the Ambiance Low Voltage Lighting System.

Magnetic Transformers

Sea Gull Lighting magnetic transformers are core type transformers. Sea Gull Lighting offers several sizes of magnetic transformers ranging from 150 - 900 watts at 12 volts. Each transformer features thermal protection on primary side (120V), and resettable circuit breaker on the secondary side (12V) to protect against shorts. Other features include faraday shield, potted and encased core and coil for added safety and ease of installation. Foe optimum operation, the load on all magnetic transformers should be between 50 - 100% of the rated wattage. For example, the 12V transformers are designed to have an output of 12 Volts when operating at 100% capacity. When the load is only 50% of the maximum, the output is approximately 12.6 Volts. As load decreases, the voltage increases. If the voltage increases above 12.6 Volts, the Bulbs are being overdriven. When this happens, the bulbs light output increases dramatically and too much heat is generated. The excess heat could damage the system, discolor the surroundings; and present a possible safety hazard. Also, overdriving the bulbs will significantly shorten the bulbs rated life.

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voltage drop

What is Voltage Drop?

When voltage at the beginning of a length of cable (at the transformer) is higher than the voltage at the end, the difference is known as "Voltage Drop".

The visual indicator of voltage drop is a lower light level from the same type of light fixtures (bulbs) towards the end od a cable run. The closer the light fixtures (bulbs) are to the transformer, the higher their voltage and brightness.

Voltage drop can be minimized through proper selection of the cable size based on the total wattage load and the length of the run. (See formula below).

Formula Using 10 and 12 Gauge Cable for Accent or Path Lighting at 12 Volts

Cable Constant x Total Watts on Run x Length of Cable Run = Voltage Drop in %

For 12 Gauge Cable, Constant = 0.0011

Example:	8 Fixtures x 16.2 Watts (T5 Wedge Base) = 130 Watts
	0.0011 x 130 (Total Watts) x 50 Feet (Length of Cable) = 7.2% Voltage Drop

For 10 Gauge Cable, Constant = 0.00007

Example:	8 Fixtures x 16.2 Watts (T5 Wedge Base) = 130 Watts
	0.0007 x 130 (Total Watts) x 50 Feet (Length of Cable) = 4.6% Voltage Drop

Cable Constant when Using Multi-Tap Transformer
Voltage at Transformer	Cable Size	Ambiance Cable Constant Multiplier
13 Volts	12 / 2 AWG	0.00100
14 Volts	12 / 2 AWG	0.00095
13 Volts	10 / 2 AWG	0.00065
14 Volts	10 / 2 AWG	0.00060

To achieve optimum lighting effects do not allow for more than 8% voltage drop (75% light output) on each fixture. Halogen light bulbs light output and life are severely affected with voltage over 12.5V and with more than a 10% voltage drop. Non-Halogen light bulbs may be used with any voltage drop. However, higher voltage drop results in lowered light output and the color of the light becoming yellow. In some applications up to 18% voltage drop (50% light output) may be acceptable, where the level of illumination is not objectionable. The lower voltage will extend the non-halogen light bulb life. For example, a 10% drop in voltage will extend non-halogen light bulbs' life approximately four times, while reducing illumination levels about 30%. To achieve even illumination on a landscape lighting system at points where two different lighting segments meet, do not allow for more than 5% difference in voltage drop at the ends.

Note:

For 12V halogen light bulbs, the voltage at each bulb must be between 11.0 Volts and 12.5 volts. Voltages outside of that range will affect bulb life.

HOW TO KEEP VOLTAGE DROP TO MINIMUM

Branch fixtures off of main cable as close to transformer as possible (3 - 5 ft). Reduce wattage load on single run of cable.

Use two main cables on long runs. Balance the wattage load as close as possible on both cables or install 9381 connector as shown.

Use 3 conductor cable for the main line and balance the wattage load as close as possible on both outside leads.

Use multiple runs.

Use multitap transformers.