DIY LED Deck Lights: Quick and simple install! Outdoor accent lights.
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- Опубліковано 25 вер 2024
- #outdoorupgrade #decklights #homeimprovement
These low voltage deck lights can add a great look to any outdoor space! These were an easy DIY, with just a simple 1" forstner bit (or spade bit). If your deck is already complete, you can retrofit these - you just may need to remove a board or two, depending on your accessability.
As there is 18" of wire on either side of each light, consider your spacing when deciding how many to buy. About 24"-30" is good for spacing between each perimeter light and it will allow the joining cables to go under joists to connect with each other. If you needed a larger span, you could buy an extender to give you added leeway. I was happy to have the extenders when joining the perimeter lights to the lights in the stairs.
Links are below for everything I used. No affiliate links :(
Feel free to look at them here and search for them on your country's Amazon.
I'm very happy with how easy they were to install and how great they operate. Provides a nice safety warning for the edge of the deck (even though it's only about a 16 or 18" jump down. I wouldn't want someone to fall!
Let me know if you have any questions.
16 pack of LED deck lights: amzn.to/2TUVadh
LED light dimmer: amzn.to/2TL5mFr
Cord Extenders: amzn.to/3hukzDD
Outdoor outlet with timer/photocell: amzn.to/36tlI8a
DeWalt Drill/driver combo: amzn.to/3k2N8dk
1" Forstner bit: amzn.to/3ALiNWu
Outdoor extension cord: amzn.to/3k1Q35Z
Irwin Wire stripper (amazing!): amzn.to/3U0W0Sk
Nice. I am planning to build a set of of stairs to my existing deck on Feb 2024 and I am planning to install these lights. Thanks for sharing. I have placed the items from your link in the description, to my Amazon cart.
Best of luck!
Best video I’ve found on the product and installation. The Amazon links you provided also helped a ton! Thank you
Thanks! I just released another one with the same lights and more details on installation. Check it out...
I am about to tackle this project! Great video, very informative!!
I believe in you! They're gonna look great.
Great video for SMY deck lights
Great 👍 video looks Awesome just liked your video as well
Thanks so much
How long will the lights reach each other without the extension cord? I've noticed the extension cord is a highly returned item.
any updates on how these are working
Great video thank you - and a very well built deck. The system I bought is not clear on how to attach to a low voltage run back to the transformer. Must be simple
Thanks for watching. These lights are definitely great for diyers as they are so simple to hook up.
Great video. Could you provide an update on how well they've held up? Have any of the bulbs burned out? Any water damage? Thanks very much.
They're holding up great! They have been through several tough Canadian winters and they show no signs of wear. All the lights still work, including the remote/dimmer!
Hi it looks awesome. Where can I buy the extension cord? Thanks
Are you talking about the low voltage cord extender - to join the lights to each other? Check the description - I believe I put links for everything. It was all ordered through Amazon.
Great video! Thanks for sharing. Mind me asking how well the lights are holding up?
Terrific! Survived the Canadian winter (plugged in and used) without any issues and going strong this summer.
Awesome!
Does the dimmer have memory for ex. if I have the light set at 50% brightness once turned off & back on will it stay at 50% or would I have to dim them manually again. Great video by the way looks awesome!!!
I tested it last night, and yes, when turned off then on again, they come on at the last intensity they were set to.
Thanks for the video. I'm planning to use this product, but the link to the dimmer does not appear correct. It links to the same lights as in the first link. Could you please re-post the link to the dimmer? Thanks!
I have corrected it. Please let me know if it works for you now.
@@billymacmakes Yes the link works now thank you. One other question. Did you install the warm white or natural white style LED lights? For some reason the 10-packs only appear to be in warm white.
@@richardstuart4380 When I click on my order history, it doesn't indicate whether they were the warm or white. When I click on the link, it takes me to the page where only the warm are available. I can't recall exactly what I choose at the time, but they don't seem to have the "warm" glow to them.
@@billymacmakes Ok great thank you!
@@richardstuart4380 Yes, we only sell 10pack in warm white.
I'd prefer just to use little stick on lights as it is much easier to fix if something goes wrong with one of the lights and also means no need to drill holes in the decking
Are each of the stick on lights you are talking about battery operated? Otherwise, what are you doing with the wires? You'd have to drill holes to run the wires behind or else you have them in the front, and that is ugly. Each of these LED's is easily swapped out should anything go wrong, as you'd just have to unscrew it from the connection and put in a new one. But after many years, all mine are still going strong!!
@@billymacmakes yeah I mean little battery operated ones or even solar ones, no wires and no drilling holes.
I've mounted these same lights on my deck, and now I'm looking for an elegant way to plug them into the electrical outlet next to my back door (that leads out onto the deck). Is there no other way than to drill a hole through the floor board to get under the substructure and connect to the first light?
@rousseau Is it possible to temporarily remove a board near the outlet? Or even just the end of it? Enough so you can bring the plug end of the cord up above the deck? If so, you then put the board back and have the thin cord coming up between the two boards - no holes need to be drilled. The cord can be pushed right against the wall and up to the outlet and hardly anyone will notice it. Hope that helps.
@@billymacmakes The floor boards are right against each other without a gap, so that won't work. Oh well, guess I'll have to figure something out. Thanks anyway.
@@coreblo77er I understand - but if you can separate the boards a little to get the large end of the cord out from underneath, then the space you'd need for the cord could just be the same size as the cord. It wouldn't be nearly as noticeable. Drill that small hole between two boards first, then pry one up to bring up the end of the cord. Put the cord through the drilled hole and let the board drop back down. Easy Peasy.
@@billymacmakes Thanks, I ended up drilling a hole and putting a desk grommet in. I think it'll look okay. May I make a suggestion? I'm not someone who knows anything about electrical work. My attempt to follow your lead and use a stapler for the cables in the crawl space under my deck ended with me giving up in frustration after practically putting a staple through the cable when trying to attach it to the joist. And otherwise finding it incredibly unwieldy while in the crawl space. Turns out what I really needed was proper cable staples to do the job right. I don't want to sound ungrateful, and maybe you didn't realize this, but it would have been very helpful to someone like me if you'd suggested using cable staples instead of a power stapler.
@@billymacmakes One more thing: the timer needs to be outside and exposed, making for an awkward and ungainly setup. If you just use the dimmer you can mount it under the deck, making for a cleaner install. You'll need to turn the lights on and off yourself using the remote, but that's no different from a wall-mounted light at your back door.
Great video. What is the brand of light's?
Thanks for watching! The links to everything I used in the video is included above in the description.
Where did you buy the lights?
I bought them on Amazon. I believe I have them linked below....
Hey how this this work in extreme cold weather
They came through a Canadian winter without any problems. Worked like a charm this summer!
Nice informative video! Perfect timing. I am building a deck and about to put the picture frame decking around the perimeter just as you were. My deck is roughly 17" to 27" off the ground. No rail. What's involved in replacing a light? Is it just a bulb replacement or would you need to disconnect the pigtails and replace the whole light? Do you have any idea if the diameter of the hole is a common diameter for deck lights? I'm thinking these same lights might not be available someday and I was wondering if there was a "standard" or common diameter. What is the diameter of the Forstner bit?
I used a 1" bit to drill the holes. Not too sure what's involved with replacing a light - it's been a year and they are all working fine. They were left connected and used during the winter too. LED's tend to last a long time. If you were really nervous, you could buy a 16 pack and use fewer lights to have some left over as backups. I would suspect you'll have to reach under, or pop off that outside frame board to replace a light, as you'd have to reach the connection to the left and the right. Hope that helps!
Does the power source plug directly into an outlet or do you need a low voltage transformer?
Transformer is included, so it plugs directly into a standard outlet.