Lighting ideas for my yard?

[Whitey]

Now that spring is in full swing, I'm doing some projects around the house. I'd like to have better illumination of my backyard without it being intrusive to my neighbors.
I'm looking for some creative ideas from you gentlemen. I have four flood lights, but they dont reach past the bushes. I'd like more light up by my fence.
Your thoughts?

[04 Rocko Taco]

some upward facing ground lights, flood style. They are rectangular. Maybe R150's (been a LOOOOONG time since I did this as a job) and put them about 2-3 feet out from the fence, and let them shine back and up towards the fence. Keep them low wattage so you dont over light, but since they are low voltage lights, shouldn't be anything to it, and they will really give you some good light back there.

[corax]

how bright are you looking for? how about several of the little solar powered walkway lights?

[4x4mike]

One thing to consider is the power consumption for yard lighting. A handful of lights or a kit from Home Depot probably consumes more power than all the ceiling lights in my house (most are 13w CFL). Having said that I'd look into LED and solar powered lights. Big floods can be too much all you really need is accent lighting without the runway look. If you had some bigger trees or bushes I'd say light those up but maybe that's down the road.

Expensive but the bulbs will never burn out.
http://www.lightyournight.com/item.php?item_id=579

I think these pics have a long exposure time but you get the idea.
http://kynelandscaping.com/LED-lighting.php

If you had the time and know how you can make these lights or retrofit halogen fixtures to led.

[Whitey]

I'm thinking about Corax's idea with the solar powered lights. I know they really dont throw any light but they are cheap so it's worth a shot.

Mike, have you seen the first ones you linked in person? If they are bright enough I wonder if a couple of those would do the trick.

[4x4mike]

I haven't seen them in person but I've made something like it. Search on here for my led area light. The baby just fell asleep so I'm going to try to grab some pics of what I have outside now.

[Whitey]

I'm loving your home made LED lights.

[4x4mike]

I'm loving your home made LED lights.

Thanks. I think my wife and daughter think I'm a geek.

Anyways these are my Home Depot specials. It's been sunny here so they're pretty bright and are still on at 0530 when I wake up.


This is a little side yard I have behind the house. It's a little path to the shed and where I park the trailer.

[img width=531 height=800]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Outside%20Lighting/DSC_0290.jpg[/img]


[img width=800 height=531]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Outside%20Lighting/DSC_0296.jpg[/img]

Front yard looking towards the street from the house. I monkeyed with the settings on the camera and in Picasa because I was having a hell of a time getting the camera to focus in low light. My eyes didn't make it any better. I had to over expose it then darken it. The porch, garage and street light throw things off and the led lights aren't quite that bright but kind of close.

[img width=800 height=531]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Outside%20Lighting/DSC_0295.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=469]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Outside%20Lighting/DSC_0294.jpg[/img]

[arjan]

Now that spring is in full swing, I'm doing some projects around the house. I'd like to have better illumination of my backyard

That should do it.