Lights embedded in concrete

[DionM]

Hi all,

I'm just about to cement some mower strips along the front of some raised brick (soon to be rendered) garden beds I've just had installed.

For some effect, I was considering putting some lights flush in the mower strips (shining upwards). I'm sure I've seen these sorts of lights at large public parklands etc, but I can't find any information around about them.

Firstly, does anyone know if they are typically 12V (good for me) or 240V (no good). And if they are 12V, where they can be bought from, and are there any special installation requirements, and would they stand up to being hit with the whipper snipper now and then?

[frog's wife]

Personally, I wouldnt set the lights into the concrete. With our wondrous selection of cheap imported products, I wouldnt expect something like that to last more than a few years at best. Then what? You'll have to smash the concrete to remove and replace. I'd be looking at setting them just inside the concrete mower strip. That way they're easily accessible if you need to replace or repair. Most lighting shops and even bunnies has a huge range of garden lighting including outdoor deck lighting. I've even seen them preset into fake rocks that you artfully arrange in your garden bed! There's plenty in both 12 and 240v. Are they to light the overhead garden or simply to mark an outline and perhaps show a pathway? If so, why not look at some of the renewable energy stuff? There's some great solar around and I'd try and use LED's for their lifespan too. My dad took a heap of solar lights and wired them up 12v of course to a dedicated solar panel. He didnt just rely on the ones they were supplied with. He put them on a timer too. After the inital purchase, it was a no cost thing. They've been in for about 3 years now and so far he hasnt had to replace even a bulb. Then there's always the nice fuzzy feeling you're doing something to save the environment!

Sonja

[Sideshow]

I think you'd find they would typically be of low voltage, with a transformer located elsewhere.

If they are flush mount, the snipper would pass over them relatively easily, so unlikely to break. The lens/diffuser would have to be somewhat shatterproof/waterproof so you should be ok.

Ask around about LED lighting (or google it), there are some pretty good options these days - I saw someone had put some in their kitchen? floor on the forum not long back.

[patty]

electrical wholesalers carry a range of recessed enclosures to suit various recessed in ground lights in all shapes and sizes these enclosures are usually screwed to the formwork in your case you would most likely lay them in the trench with the open side facing up then pour your concrete around them the enclosures usually have what we call knockouts for the conduits located to loop the power cable in and out to each light keeping the conduits at the very bottom of the box to ensure your fitting does not be obstructed when fitting it
240v or 12 v depends what you want if you just want something that looks pretty and you dont want to light it up like luna park 12 v would be ideal 240 v are also good for this but my experience from either of these fittings is they look great for a couple of years and over time they really do become a hassle the seals eventually perish from a combination of the sun and the heat generated from the fitting and once the seals go moisture starts then corrossion unless you are ready to pay some decent bucks for a stainless fitting I would give them a miss have you thought about some low voltage step/ edge lights along your retaining wall these are surface mount I installed some at my place a few years back with the transformer mounted remoteley under the house and they have not missed a beat!