Landscape lighting connectors

[Tinkerer2]

My landscape lights have a connector that has pins that penetrate the wiring sheath. There isn't any waterproofing ability of the connector. They are slowing corroding and failing. What is the best way to connect 3 wires and have them be waterproof? I know they make wire nuts with silicone inside but some say they lose effectiveness over time due to being buried. I'd like to swap out these connectors with something that will last. What do others use?

 

[dave*99]

Soldering with rosin core solder and applying adhesive lined heat shrink tubing is a reliable method.

 

[BrandonV]

Scotchlok 316-IR.

Best product for this application.

 

[Tinkerer2]

Scotchlok 316-IR.

Best product for this application.

I think the main wire is 12AWG stranded. Will this fit the 316-IR?

 

[BrandonV]

I think the main wire is 12AWG stranded. Will this fit the 316-IR?

If you're using 12 AWG you'll want to use the 3M MGC.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00014126/

The outside ports will accept 12 AWG stranded, 14-16 AWG solid/stranded and the inside port 18 AWG solid/stranded or 20 AWG stranded.

If that doesn't work check out what King Innovations has.

Waterproof Connectors

Waterproof Connectors

www.kinginnovation.com

 

[Tinkerer2]

Ordered the 3M MGC's. Thanks

 

[mrVanagon]

For landscape lighting, I regularly use Ideal wire nuts with a bit of white lithium grease squeezed in to keep water out. We have systems that have been in regular use with these connections for more than 20 years. They're easy to install, almost never fail, don't make a mess and any excess grease is easy to clean up. I have cut out and replaced many hundreds of the connectors that come in the kits from the big box places when they corroded to dust or fell apart.

 

[rlitman]

For landscape lighting, I regularly use Ideal wire nuts with a bit of white lithium grease squeezed in to keep water out. We have systems that have been in regular use with these connections for more than 20 years. They're easy to install, almost never fail, don't make a mess and any excess grease is easy to clean up. I have cut out and replaced many hundreds of the connectors that come in the kits from the big box places when they corroded to dust or fell apart.

I used to fill wire nuts with silicone grease for my irrigation valve solenoids (same conditions). I've switched to the grease filled ones. Not because the grease is special, but because they come with the slotted rubber end cap that helps keep the grease in place.