Lighting connectors

I just came across this question posted to the Nightscaping website... and no answer yet....



John L******* // Jul 5, 2008 at 2:18 pm

I have been using low voltage lighting for 30 years and am frustrated with the awkward system of connecting lights to the main low voltage line. The common way is the pronged system used by Malibu and many others. This a very difficult and cumbersome way of making a connection. Is there any product out there that simply plugs into the main line? Thanks for your help.

John L.

John... Pierce type connectors are really a thing of the past. They're a bad idea because they're not waterproof and they set up points where moisture intrudes and corrosion occurs. As a contractor who has used a lot of Nightscaping products, I have to tell you that one of the best ideas they ever came up with was the Ace Connector. It's a brass lug with hex head set screws that gets wrapped in 3M shrink tube. It is waterproof. Check it out on Nightscaping's website. Ace Connectors are not cheap. But that's really the point... you'll pay a little more, AND it's quality will last a lifetime.

Rain Bird service bulletin for ESP-M controllers

If you have a Rain Bird ESP Modular sprinkler controller and have been having any problems with it, give us a call. We installed more than a dozen of these over the last couple of years, for their easy programming and manual operation and large, easy-to-read displays.

Rain Bird discovered a problem, supposedly to do with some solder connections, in models manufactured before May 2007. Thy sent out a serive bulletin about it last month, but some distributors still haven't gotten the word.

One of the symptoms is a display window that reads "MV_Err" (for Master Valve Error, whether or not your system uses a master valve).

If that's the case with your controller, the fix is simple, so give please give us a call.

If we installed the original controller for you, then we'll replace the defective parts under warranty at no charge. If you or someone else installed the original we can still replace it, with no charge for parts but a nominal labor fee of $65.00.


Pictured below is the Rain Bird ESP Modular with the cabinet open.
The display window is on the upper left. An expansion module is shown at the lower right.

Fiber optic lighting for water features

I've found a source for some long-lived, energy efficient, safe lighting for small water features. This is an add-on fiber optics lighting system for new or existing low voltage systems made by a company called IlluminFX.

This system works for both free-standing or wall fountains and small waterfalls, even those that flow into swimming pools - not allowed with normal lighting fixtures.The beauty of fiber optics is that there is no electrical component in contact with water, abating any safety concerns for people or fish.

In addition, the MR-16 LED source "light engine" is rated for a very long life of 50,000 hrs. Even at 5 hours per night, 365 days per year, that amounts to more than 20 years before changing the bulb!

(Note: Although they don't seem to show their low voltage version on their website you can view photos of their line voltage metal halide and halogen systems. The effects are similar, but larger scale.)