I could use some help with malibu lighting.

[Steve knight]

I have a string of lights that come out to about 280 watts. a single string with 12 gauge wire that came with it. I have ben having problems with the lights coming on and I finally found the problem with the cable connector http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1v/R-202025796/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=malibu&storeId=10051
so I just used wirenuts on the two wires but I notice close to the joint the cable gets pretty warm almost too warm to hold. So I am wondering if about 250 watts or a bit less is too much on about 60 feet of the 12 gauge wire.?

[Ole Anderson]

250 watts at 12 volts will draw over 20 amps. Looking at the Malibu instructions I still have after a small install, they claim that 12 ga wire is good for up to 300 watts. That is a bunch of Malibu lights. That may be a bit much for 12 ga cable, but if it is just getting hot near the connector, the connector is likely the problem. I would trust wire nuts over the quick connect they provide, so you should check your connection to make sure the wires are twisted properly and if they are exposed to the elements or buried, a waterproof (silicone filled) wire nut is recommended. If not fully exposed, some dielectric grease should prevent corrosion in the splice.

[Kevin W Johnson]

Oops, just noticed it's low voltage.... Yeah at 12v, the current draw is quite high for 12 AWG.

[Steve knight]

I just noticed that I have a chunk of wire to the connector that looks like one gauge down so that could be it since the connector clamps them both the pressure may not be even. So maybe just replace the wire with one peice of 12 gage?

[Ole Anderson]

Anything smaller than 12 ga for your main line will be too small.

[Steve knight]

just checked and the main line is only 16 gauge. Now the question is will those malibu quick connects fit 12 gauge wire? if not then I would need to split the line and connect them to 12 gauge.

[Ole Anderson]

just checked and the main line is only 16 gauge. Now the question is will those malibu quick connects fit 12 gauge wire? if not then I would need to split the line and connect them to 12 gauge.

16 ga wire explains your problem. I doubt the quick connects will fit 12 ga wire, so you are likely stuck using wire nuts.

[Steve knight]

well lucked out and the quick connects work great with the 12 gauge wire. easier to put on too. lights turn on like they are supposed too.