Which cable for 12 volt garden lights

[Kheiyd]

I would like to install 12 volt LED lights in my garden. I had planned to use a 2x2,5mm2 cable for longer distances (about 50 mtrs)

 

Does anyone know which type of cable is suitable to be buried? I heard NYY is used for 220 volts but at Home Pro I only see VAF and THW.

[Crossy]

At 12V VCT (regular flex) will be just fine, obviously NYY is the right stuff but ...

 

http://www.bangkokcable.com/product/backoffice/file_upload/131007_43-450!750V 70C VCT-4C.pdf (the link only shows big sizes but it's available down to < 1mm²).

 

The big DIY places should have it, else your local electrical emporium.

 

We had some VCT buried in the garden for 5 years which was in perfect condition when dug up to move the lights.

 

Keep any joints above ground and all will be hunky-dory.

[carlyai]

Are there any waterproof junction boxes you would use to have cable joins buried in crushed dust under tiles? Or, would you run separate feeds so you don't have any joins?

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[Crossy]

2 minutes ago, carlyai said:

Are there any waterproof junction boxes you would use to have cable joins buried in crushed dust under tiles? Or, would you run separate feeds so you don't have any joins?

 

I wouldn't bury any sort of junction box, they invariably end up full of water. At 12V it's not going to go bang, or even fizz, but the terminals will corrode meaning you'll have to dig it all up anyway.

 

Depending upon the design of your lights you could run two wires up into the support and make the join there, above the ground, or as you say, run individual feeds from a central box.

 

If underground joints are unavoidable then good quality insulated crimps, preferably the type with heat-shrink insulation, with an overall cover of adhesive-loaded heat-shrink tubing will be as waterproof as it's possible to get without going for pukka resin-filled joint boxes.

[Kheiyd]

Dear Crossy and Carlyai,

 

Thank you very much for the helpful info.

 

I planned to have waterproof junction boxes fixed well above the ground from where I will make the final connection to the lights. https://www.euro-electronics.nl/AK1-kabeldoos-met-M20-wartel-Attema-2280

 

I also want to buy a LED transformer at home (The Netherlands) and connect it to four separate lines starting form the middle of the area I want to light up. https://www.ledsrefresh.nl/nl/led-trafo-12v-voor-buiten/led-trafo-200-watt-12vdc-16-7a-ip67

 

On each line I plan to connect three 7W LED and a few 2,5W LED lights to light up both sides of the 50 meter footpath and driveway. This means four times 25 meters at approximately 31W each. Combined with the 2,5m2 cables this should stay below the limitations of the 200W transformer.

 

Since I wasn't sure about the cable I was (and still am) thinking of buying 100 meters of the 2x2,5 YMVK-as cable and take it to Thailand as well. https://www.groepenkastbestellen.nl/2-X-2.5-YMVK-RING-100-meter

From what you say, the latter will not be necessary. 

[Crossy]

I wouldn't bother bringing the cable unless weight really is no issue, but those boxes look nice for 150 Baht a pop.

[Kheiyd]

I will do that. Saves a lot of weight in my suitcase. More room for the boxes.

[carlyai]

That's a nice transformer, and 4 outputs as well. I need one of those. I'll do some searching and see if I can find one in Thailand. Bangkok Outlet and a Thai LED company may have them.

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[Kheiyd]

You could try Banggood.com or Alibaba.com as well. And if you are in the Hua Hin area I could get one for you.

[carlyai]

No mate....miles away...in the capital of Isaan...kuchinari. 555

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[Kheiyd]

Ah, that is indeed a bit out of my way.