[Fine Edge]

Here's where I need a little help.
Will be building a large set of steps with 2 columns at top, 2 at bottom and 2 in the middle ( at the 14' mark ). Customer wants low voltage fixtures on top of columns but I am having a tough time finding anything that looks good.
The columns will be approx. 20" - 22" square & 2 1/2' - 3' above the steps. Natural stone cap / treads and a synthetic Mountain Ledge stone by ElDorado.
Tried Kichler, Hadco, Vista, Unique, Nightscaping and have come up with nothing.
Would I be better off going to line voltage since the selection would be much better or does someone have a good fixture for this situation?

[Stonehenge]

I'd go with line voltage.

[Fine Edge]

That's the way I'm leaning since I'll have a broader selection of fixtures.

[Inspired]

Why do they want low voltage? You can run line voltage with dimmers if you want a soft look.

[PSUscaper]

A simple solution......kind of.

They make low voltage edison bulbs. They are 50 watts, and put out a good amount of light. Basically, you can buy any 110 light fixture, put the low voltage bulb in, and just wire the white and black in any order to your two low voltage leads, and scrap the ground. Done. You just have to buy fixtures with a common edison bulb and not small/multiple candle like bulbs.

biggest problem. you have to make sure the client knows they are low voltage edison bulbs. Later on, when they burn out, you can bet they will try a regular bulb in them. Best thing to do is make stickers for inside the fixture stating what they are and then leave the client like 5 extra bulbs for each of them.

I know my supplier stocks the bulbs, but if your's doesn't, I'm sure you can find them online pretty easy.

I've done a few single light pole installations where people just want a post light at the end of the walk. It beats getting involved with a electrican (which we all know how excited they get when they have to install ONE light post) and works pretty well. Only problem is that no 'good' manufacturer makes small transformers, so you end up either buying a 300 watt one for one bulb, or, do what I do, and buy a cheap box store transformer. With one bulb, they actually work quite well and don't seem to cause many problems.

[nightscapespaul]

I can't believe that you can't find a good low voltage fixture for your project. Do you have a pic of these columns or a drawing? I would hate to see you put in some line voltage glare bomb on a project where you could use a fixture that would give you a great effect.

Feel free to email me. I would be happy to help you with this project.

[Inspired]

Glare Bomb? Thats funny, Paul.

I guess you could find the line voltage fixture you like and re-fit it with a low voltage socket. Did I say that?

I made some low voltage wall fixtures once with palm tree frons....

Anyway, just because its line voltage doesn't mean it will be a glare bomb. Just be careful not to buy the glare bomb series.

[nightscapespaul]

As stated earlier, you just need 12v lamps in the 120v fixture and then hook it up to the transformer. It just seems that most 120v fixtures that I have seen put on posts/columns allow you to see the source of the light and not the effect. That is always my prime concern in design, never see the source, just the effect.

Good luck and have fun with your project.

[Fine Edge]

Well, I've looked at all the major low voltage companies and none offer any good looking fixtures for column tops.

Paul, you ever installed on a column top & if so, what brand and type of fixture did you use?

Picture a stone column about 2 1/2' high above the top of steps with a double tiered inset top. The look I'm after is more of a post lamp. I know i'll get more spread from a fixture on top of a column than any light that I install in the steps.

[Inspired]

Just laughing at the name you came up with, Paul. I'm with you, I hate to see the light source.

I'm having trouble visualizing what you're looking for, Fine Edge, but I've had similar issues finding a certain look for a client in low voltage lights. I wish more manufacturers would offer more visually compatable low voltage and line voltage fixtures so you could refit the fixtures already in place around the outside of the house (porch light, garage door areas, back patio, etc. Right now it seems pretty time consuming.

Rockscapes and the spin off company... I can't remember the name... SPR or something like that. Anyway they used to offer some post and wall fixtures in 120 an 12 volts. I'll see if I can find an old cataloge.

[PSUscaper]

I love the term 'glare bomb'. I'm definitely using that one on my next estimate! That's not copyrighted by any chance?

I hate existing lights with a passion. No matter how many times I tell people to leave the outside lights off, they insist on having them on.......exploding 'glare bombs' off all over their once tranquil lighting job. I've been tempted to unscrew the light bulbs lose before I leave jobs so that they don't use them.

[Turtle]

I was just searching for column lights two days ago came across SPJ fixtures they seem to have a nice selection of post and column lights in all kinds of finishes and voltage heres the link




http://www.spjlighting.com/products/2342////

[Inspired]

Originally posted by Turtle
I was just searching for column lights two days ago came across SPJ fixtures they seem to have a nice selection of post and column lights in all kinds of finishes and voltage heres the link




http://www.spjlighting.com/products/2342////

Thats it! Thanks Turtle.

[4seasons]

what about the nice glow of gas lanterns?
i was going through some brochoures today,
a company called Fire Stone Home Products had some
listed. Looked kinda nice.

Bruce