Stringing long run of out door lights

[bluedog225]

I’d like to run a long string of outdoor lights, about 100 feet. The plan is to run a support wire from a strong attachment point on my third floor to the cast corner of a conex. Both attachment points are robust. I’d hang the lights with some sort of ring that could slide along the wire for installation and maintenance. Bare bulb LED bistro sort of deal. 12 volt or 120 off an inverter. All off grid.

What size wire do you think would be needed? The electrical line and lights don’t weigh much. I’d guess around 25 lbs.

I’m conflicted. Looking at 1/8“ stainless cable. It seems fine on paper but also seems too light and thin.

Thanks

 

[hmbemis]

100' feet of LED bistro lights, even with 30-50 rings, is not going to weigh much, I'd guess 1/8" SS cable is fine for it.

Companies even sell what you're looking for already:

Bistro String Guide Wire Kit

Designed for use with VOLT® 120V Bistro String Lights. Makes installation secure and eliminates bows in the line. Constructed of high-strength stainless steel cable. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

www.voltlighting.com

I've got about 500' of LED lights daisy chained around my front yard right now... the entire thing uses 95W which means the first plug in the chain is only dealing with less than 1A @ 120V which is not too bad. I measured voltage drop at the end of the string too and it's "OK" (with 123V at the start I see 111V at the end, so it's a ~10% drop in voltage over the entire string, plus all the plugs, plus the load of all the LEDs.

 

[yatg]

You're more than good. see chart.

 

[billconner]

How straight do you think the wire rope will be?

 

[bluedog225]

Not very.

 

[nadogail]

How straight do you think the wire rope will be?

The Physics of Catenary curves are above my level.

 

[billconner]

Simply saying you could easily exceed breaking strength with turn buckles trying to get it very straight without lights on it. I don't think the lights will make any significant difference.

 

[bluedog225]

Good point. I’ll very happy with a gentle, droopy, graceful curve.

 

[MushCreek]

I used cheap 3/16" from Harbor Freight. The longest run on mine is about 60', and it's pretty straight. I just used zip ties to secure it to the wire, as I don't leave them up year-round.

 

[Blk88GT]

If you get the coated wire rope, there is no concern at all with it not being straight. I used zip ties.

 

[CraigStu]

Set one end higher than the other so the slight droop looks planned.