The Perfect LV Lighting Cable? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

James Solecki · 02-09-2008, 09:31 PM

What qualities would you list if you were to think of the perfect low voltage lighting cable?

Very Flexible Jacket, no memory effect and easy to install
Suitable for direct burial
Sunlight resistant
Tin Coated copper strands to eliminate oxidation.
Double jacketed conductors just like Romex
Inner colour coded jacket on conductors
90c rated for use indoors and on structures
Dual coloured outer jacket (Brown and Grey) for excellent hiding in trees.
Available in sizes from 8/2 through to 14/2.
Also available as a 10/3 and 12/3 for applications requiring grounding
unique shape allowing for a watertight connection to hubs and junction boxes - guaranteed.

Never heard of such a cable before have you? Well it is now available from Qtran and is called Qwire. Check it out for yourself.

http://www.q-tran.com/

NightScenes · 02-15-2008, 07:37 AM

I'm not a fan of tin coated wire. Increases voltage drop.

BreyerConstruct · 02-15-2008, 08:10 AM

For "quality" jobs we're usually using Cast wire, for "cheep" jobs we're usually grabbing whatever Lowes/HD has, and for LV LED systems, we use whatever seems to be the best "fit" for the environment we're working in...

I know it's not the best answer, but it's all I've got!

~Matt

NightScenes · 02-16-2008, 10:17 AM

Just a couple of thoughts.

If you talk to the folks at Cast or Qtran they will admit that the only benefits to tin coated wire are the ease of soldering (if you do that) and less corrosion for wire that is exposed (which it should not be anyway). They will also admit to an additional 2% voltage drop on tin coated wire.

If you don't solder (I use Buchanan crimps) and your connections are not exposing the bare wire to the elements (I sure hope not) then the added expense and added voltage drop for tin coated wire do not make it "quality", only expensive.

The wire purchased at the home improvement stores is just so bad that I would not even consider using it on the cheapest of jobs. It costs twice as much as the good stuff that you can get from the distributors where you buy your fixtures.

SOUTHERN LITES · 02-16-2008, 11:54 AM

Paul,

What are Buchanan crimps?

NightScenes · 02-16-2008, 12:35 PM

Steve, the Buchanan crimp is a copper cap (so to speak) that fits over the wire leads that you are connecting. You then use a special tool (C-24) to crimp it onto the leads. This connection is so strong that it won't even allow air to penitrate it. I then place this connection into a DBR grease filled tube and snap it shut.

I am attaching photos of the tool, the connection and the DBR. The DBR that I use is about 3" long though.

Will Johnson · 02-18-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightscapespaul

Steve, the Buchanan crimp is a copper cap (so to speak) that fits over the wire leads that you are connecting.

And I was just about to google "Buchanan crimps" !

Paul - what do you use when you need to join more than 2 - 12g wires? (such as, at the end of a lateral run where you want to connect several fixtures). Seems like 4-5 12g wires would need a pretty large grease-filled tube. Thanks!

LightYourNight · 02-18-2008, 02:49 PM

I have never thought of using these for lv connections. Good call Paul. How many wires max have you put into these crimps? how big do they come?

Billy-Integrity · 02-18-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightscapespaul

If you talk to the folks at Cast or Qtran they will admit that the only benefits to tin coated wire are the ease of soldering .

I am a solderaholic as you know. When I switched from Cast wire to copper I noticed it still solders up tight with no issues. I do run my solderpot as hot as I can possibly get it. With that said I do use the buchanans in some situations and Ace connectors when I need a low profile inline connection system such as in trees.

You can fit a good amount of wire in a large buchanan crimp. I think I have even put up to 3 strands of 10ga in there if you twist em down tight first. I also use the DBR tubes like Paul but the northstar ones instead that I get from fold. Never a failed connection yet

NightScenes · 02-18-2008, 06:05 PM

I usually get 2-12 and 5-16s in a single large buchanan cap with no problem.

SOUTHERN LITES · 02-18-2008, 07:30 PM

Where would be a good place to shop for these items?

James Solecki · 02-18-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOUTHERN LITES

Where would be a good place to shop for these items?

You can go the the Qtran website and click on "Where to buy" and find a distributor near you.

Or click here: http://www.q-tran.com/buy2.swf

Have a great day.

NightScenes · 02-19-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOUTHERN LITES

Where would be a good place to shop for these items?

I buy the copper caps at the Home Depot, the DBRs I get from my distributor who is an irrigation supply (Longhorn) and the tool will probably have to be ordered from your local electrical supply house.

SOUTHERN LITES · 02-19-2008, 09:40 AM

Thanks guy's, I always appreciate the help I get from ya'll!!!!!

SOUTHERN LITES · 03-04-2008, 02:48 PM

Paul,

Where can I find the DBR grease tubes? Are the Buchanan crimps and tubes much better than dry-lock wire nuts?

Thanks,

LightYourNight · 03-05-2008, 07:30 PM

Hey Southern Lites, You can find the DBR kits on my website.

lightyournight.com/item.php?item_id=524

Enter the promo code: DBR @ checkout and it will give you a 40% discount. If you want case quantity 100 tubes+ call or email me and I can hook you up.

I hope this helps

John Paul
The Landscape Lighting Specialist

SOUTHERN LITES · 03-06-2008, 07:51 AM

John Paul,

Thanks for the reply and I will check out your site!!

Thanks,

SOUTHERN LITES · 03-23-2008, 09:11 AM

Are these things worth using in any situations?