Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Lighting Fixtures

This will be a good place to consolidate the manufacturers' specification sheets for each of the new fixtures I am accumulating for the backyard berm and moonlighting project.   New fixture information will be included for all new landscaping hardware and this section will be a comprehensive compendium of tech, beauty, and function.





Specifications
  • HOUSING:  Cast aluminum top cap with aluminum body and adjustable mounting yoke.  Fasteners are 300 series stainless steel. 
  • FINISH:  Thermoset polyester powdercoat is electrostatically applied after a five-stage conversion cleaning process and bonded by heat fusion thermosetting.  Laboratory tested for superior weatherability and fade resistance in accordance with ASTM B-117-64 and ANSI/ASTM G53-77 specifications.  
  • OPTICAL ASSEMBLY:  Clear tempered glass lens. 
  • LAMPING:  35W maximum MR16 bi-pin lamp.  Lamp is not included.  Lower wattage lamps are acceptable. 
  • ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY:  12 Volt fixture is pre-wired with 3-ft pigtail of 18-2 AWG, 105° C, SPT-1W wire.   Bi-pin socket type (GU5.3) with 250° C high temperature teflon coated wire leads.  Low voltage quick connector, catalog #LVC3 included for easy hook-up to the low voltage supply cable, not included.  12 Volt system requires remote transformer, not included. 
  • WARRANTY:  Three-year limited warranty. 
  • CERTIFICATIONS:  ETL listed to U.S. safety standards for wet locations.  cETL listed to Canadian safety standards for wet locations.  Manufactured to ISO 9001:2008 Standards. 
  • Height :  6 7/16" (154mm)
  • Width:  3 9/16" (71mm)
  • Max. Weight:  1.2 lb





Hadco Direct Links:

Before I introduce the Sportlights that I have selectoed to "audition" for this project I wqas ted to outline several fo the qualities I am looking for in an uplight so as to make the comparison here understandable as it is deleivered with respect to my own needs.

Requirements / Wish List:
  • Multiple mounting options beyond the standard ground stake.    It is necessary given my space restraints to mounts these fixtures with on the side of the house.    Nearby trees.
  • In a similar fashion - mounting oprtions should ideally include screw able extensions that boost the spots' height above intermediate obstacles.
  • These type of accessories generally accompany products put forth by companies anticipating exacting standards from their clientele.    This is a blessing and a curse because it carries with it a necessary premium for the base unit.    The good part is illustrated next;
  • Ideally any spot should be able accommodate a range of lenses and or mount configurations that allow it to be optimized in less ideal locations.   (Think Louvers, Frosted glass, Deep Shrouds).

The first high-End Light I received was a



Kichler 15384.

Ipression out of the box was that this was a cut above.   The adjustment necessary to enable the lamp to operate at various degrees had always been a plastic hand turned screw mounted.    Generally my experience is that these lights have two parts: a base which scres into a stake or other mounting hardware, and a cylander that holds the fixture, lamp and glass..    The two parts meet each other with interlocking teeth.   Untightened this gives the fixture a range of mobility.    Once tightened interlocking teeth fill the gaps on opposing sides and lock the fioxture in the desired position.

As previously described those lights I have worked with in the past (Malibu, etc.) allow you to lock in the desired angle by turning a plastic wheel that tightens the screw connection.     Great in the 30 minutes needed to achieved your desired look but don't revisit it after time has degraded the parts.

I've only had one fixture's ability to lock in an angle fail.   More often though the knob separates from the screw making tightening futile.    I digress.

The Kichler skipped this nonsense and included a beefy screw as the only piece holding the two together.



Without further ado..... The Tech Specs:


 The Kichler Features the following:


Kichler:
MR-16 MINI WELL


This is also a Kichler though far longer in the market.   The set I got was in horrendous shape but so cheap I couldn’t say no.

All housings were intact as were gaskets, lenses and Caps.  The weakness was the degradation of the fixtures which I will need to replace for at least two.

All in all these retail for $108 apiece and I got five delivered for $25 total including lightbulbs (20% fail rate so far.



Smaller version of our popular standard well light to shed focused upwards illumination on special features in the landscape. Recommended for salt-air environments.   Housing Durable high heat thermo-plastic composite resin.  Heat resistant convex shaped glass lens. Fully sealed for watertight outdoor usage.
·         Finish Black
·         Light Source 12V Incandescent bi-pin, high temperature
·         Porcelain socket
·         Power Usage at 12V AC Input
·         VA MAX: 50-W(VA)

Ordering Guide
·         15190 BK
·         15990 BK 6 Same as 15190 BK. Bulk packed in 6 (unbreakable master) with 25' of 16-gauge wire and Universal Connector for use with LV Junction.


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