eamon Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Hi allI have had a quick search & not found an answer to my query. I have a show starting that has a pond in it. It is about 6 inches deep. I am going to put some proper pond lights in it anyway. Has anybody ever ran rope light through a pond/submerged it fully in water? The start and end terminations will not be made in water! but placed suitably out of the way possibly in a sealed box. It is safe in anyway to do this? needless to say I will be dimming this (wanting to). I am only thinking of rope light as the pond is quite shallow & I wish to get "as much light in it". I am unsure what else may meet my criteria & as usual budget. Mods: I have put this in the safety forum but could be in the electrical/lighting forums. Feel free to move. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robloxley Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Well the ropelight itself (not the terminations) will be waterproof, but remember it's mains, and ropelight doesn't have much in the way of mechanical protection. Are you planning on having anyone in the pool - this will influence the RA.LED ropelight is another option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eamon Posted May 4, 2006 Author Share Posted May 4, 2006 I knew that ropelight was water proof but was not sure how strong. There will be interaction with the water. Albeit no body gets in it they will probably end up sticking there feet. in. I still count that as more than enough in terms of a RA. Never even thought of LED rope light. Next question being where is good to get it/spec on it?? many thanks eamon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutwo Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 Be very careful, I've had several (admittedly budget) ropelights that have burnt holes in themselves, especially where it has flexed most. Of course it will be cooler because of the water, but I personally wouldn't risk it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greateastern Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 I may not be experienced etc but I would never touch a rope light with an insulated barge pole! I've seen two catch fire and thats enough for me! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich newby Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 I must be honest and say that I have never had a rope light do anything weird on me, and I use them weekly for discos. I think the main trick here is buy the most expensive you can find, and then put that inside a clear tube, just as a failsafe. And no, the ends and controllers will not be waterproof, so only submerge the bit in the middle and leave both ends out of the water. I would do a few tests first as well, run your selected rope light for a wile and see if you have any problems. HTHRich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 I have seen pools lit with side emitting optic fibre. waterproof and insulating - needs a remote source on the set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Newlands Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 LED or fiber optic may be the way to do this, LED Neon Flex from http://www.batmink.co.uk/ is one alternative to rope light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDODD Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Check out Chamaeleon Technologies. They do a load or LED rope light running off 24Vdc(Not quite 12V as required, but should do the trick!) In addition, you could run through some hefty plastic glands on the edge of the "pond" if required. LED Neon Flex is great stuff, but pretty expensive. you can run twice the LED rope for half the cost of the neon as a rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Proper pool lights are 12v300w PAR56 or 64 The face is submerged and the back with connection is in a housing. All run off a real SELV transformer with thick wires, You could prob re-engineer a par36 to supply some pinspot lamps clamped into the tank edge with glands. Genuine SELV transformer please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eamon Posted May 9, 2006 Author Share Posted May 9, 2006 many thanks to all for the info & replies. I dispensed with the rope light idea as I felt that I could not trust it enough & obviously did not want to fry somebody with my corner cutting. I used some proper(!) pond lights that I bought in a large hardware chain. They are designed to be placed outside & have worked very well so far. cheers eamon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhuson Posted May 11, 2006 Share Posted May 11, 2006 Just a quick note to say that it is ESSENTIAL that anything you place in the pond should be protected by an RCD with a MAXIMUM trip current of 30mA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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