I’ve run into the same squirrel problem—split loom helps, but I’ve had them chew through even that if they’re determined. Ever tried using metal conduit for the most exposed runs? It’s a bit more work, but I’ve found it’s the only thing that really stops the critters long-term, especially if you’re running cable near trees. Also, do you ever get voltage drop issues with the longer 12V runs? I’ve had to upsize wire gauge a couple times to keep things consistent at the far end of the yard.
Metal conduit is definitely the way to go if you’re tired of playing squirrel whack-a-mole. I once had a customer who swore by cayenne pepper on the wires, but those little guys just seemed to treat it like seasoning. Metal’s a pain to install, especially if you’re weaving around landscaping, but it’s bulletproof. I’ve even seen folks use leftover copper pipe from plumbing jobs—squirrels don’t mess with that at all, but your wallet might.
Voltage drop’s a real thing with those long 12V runs, especially if you’re stringing lights all the way to the back fence. I usually bump up to 10 gauge if it’s more than 50 feet, just to be safe. Learned that the hard way after a backyard job where the lights at the far end looked more like mood lighting than anything useful. It’s one of those things you only forget to account for once... then you never forget again.
Metal conduit is definitely the way to go if you’re tired of playing squirrel whack-a-mole.
Yeah, metal’s a hassle but it really does the trick. I tried the cayenne thing too—total waste of time, those critters just don’t care. One thing I’d add: if you’re running conduit, check your local codes. Some places are picky about burial depth, especially if you’re near a driveway or path.
On voltage drop, bumping up to 10 gauge is smart. I’ve seen folks try to cheap out with 12 or even 14 and then wonder why their lights look like dying fireflies. Ever tried using low-voltage LED tape instead of fixtures? It’s a bit more forgiving on voltage drop, but still not perfect for long runs. Just curious if anyone’s had luck with that route.
I get the appeal of metal conduit, but honestly, I’ve had decent luck with heavy-duty plastic (PVC) for backyard runs—cheaper, easier to work with, and still keeps the critters out if you bury it deep enough. On the LED tape, I tried it once for a long fence line and found it looked patchy after a season. Maybe it’s just my climate, but the weather seemed to get to it faster than I expected. Anyone else notice that, or did I just get a dud batch?
Anyone else notice that, or did I just get a dud batch?
I get the cost savings with PVC, but I’ve had issues with it getting brittle over time, especially where the sun hits it. Metal’s a pain to work with, but I kind of trust it more for long-term durability. Maybe it’s just my paranoia about having to redo things.
On the LED tape, I had a similar experience—looked great at first, then faded and got weird gaps. Might be a climate thing, or maybe some brands just don’t hold up. Have you tried the rope lights instead? They seem a bit sturdier in my setup, though not as sleek-looking.