A common question when planning a landscaping lighting design is “how many lights can run on a single transformer?”. As transformers are available in different wattage capacities, a better question to ask is “what is the best transformer for my design?”. Picking a garden light transformer is a matter of adding up the wattage power of each bulb needed to light the garden.
We recommend allowing some extra power on each transformer to allowing you to add lamps or increase wattage as your garden grows. An extra 25% to 30% will accommodate those potential changes. Transformers normally range from 60W to 900W in 50 or 100 steps, so once you calculate the total power needed for the bulbs, just choose the next step transformer for your landscape.
Another tip is to always keep the transformer with at least two-thirds of its capacity running to avoid overloading the bulbs and reducing their lifespan. See some examples below:
Fixture | Wattage | Total |
---|---|---|
2x LED Directional Bullet | 20W each | 40W |
6x LED Brass Deck Light | 20W each | 120W |
1x Well Light | 75W each | 75W |
Spare capacity | 65W | |
Recommended Transformer: 300W Multi Tap Stainless Steel |
Fixture | Wattage | Total |
---|---|---|
5x Low Voltage Landscape Light 3 Tier Pagoda | 50W each | 250W |
8x LED Deck Light | 20W each | 160W |
3x LED Directional Bullet | 20W each | 60W |
Spare capacity | 130W | |
Recommended Transformer: 600W Multi Tap Stainless Steel |