We're about to have the driveway done and will be installing 30cm high bollard lights at intervals along one side. These are mains voltage, not low voltage.

The lights we've bought can be screwed onto something, or we could buy stakes to go underneath.

The guys doing the driveway, could set up pads for the lights while they are doing the haunching for the edgings.  Obviously we'd need a bit of ducting through that for the cable. Is this the best way to mount this type of light?

 

What are the pro's and con's of stakes vs a solid foundation?

 

Any thoughts/experience much appreciated.

 

Simon

A good galvanised stake will last 20+ years unless the ground is very acidic, but concrete will always outlast a stake. Also stakes can work loose and start to lean … similar with insufficient concrete. Concrete will be lowest cost

Just because you haven’t placed them yet;

having many mains voltage lights outdoors is likely to cause issues at some point. I’ve learned the hard way. Not sure if I’d do it again. 

Ants often get into bollard lights and build a nest in there, causing problems. 
 

I refuse to fit 230v bollards now. More aggro than they are worth. Extra low voltage or 230v lamp posts for me now. 

Best to figure out how the cables will enter and leave, be buried at sufficient depth.

Not a fan of tripping hazard short lights

I wouldn't put lighting bollards directly along a driveway - sooner or later someone will knock one over. If you can run them a metre or so back from the drive, then maybe. If not, then I'd choose ground lights that are designed to be run over - preferably from a quality brand with a decent warranty, rather than a DIY chain.

agree dc / low power only outside.