Different Landscape Lighting Question

[George Stolz]

In a different application from my other thread, I am replacing a Vista 120v - 12v 600-MT that appears to be defective. It occasionally trips the branch circuit breaker when energized.

Does anyone have a preferred brand for this application? This was a pretty good looking transformer, we're thinking of just replacing it with the same one. I have no idea of the age of the existing one, it could have been it's time, or a fluke - but it did look pretty sharp.

I realize that sounds kind of dumb, but we're at a loss for something better at this point.

 

[curt swartz]

Hi George, that transformer has a lifetime warrantee so you might consider contacting Vista support. I don?t install landscape lighting very often but I tend to use Cal Lighting transformers since I can get them fast and they are inexpensive.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Vista makes some good outdoor lighting but I never used their trannies. I have installed Kim Lighting trannies, which appear to be pretty good.

I did a job for a ho who was freaking out about a $300 dollar tranny so I went to home depot and bought an $80 Malibu tranny and it's been working for 5 years-- who knows.

 

[George Stolz]

Hi George, that transformer has a lifetime warrantee so you might consider contacting Vista support.

Lifetime? Prior to starting the thread, my partner in crime contacted them and they said if it was three years old or less they'd swap it, no questions asked. I need to get over there today during my errands to see if I can find a date on it.

I don?t install landscape lighting very often but I tend to use Cal Lighting transformers since I can get them fast and they are inexpensive.

...who knows...

You've captured my thinking entirely.

Thanks, guys.

 

[LLSolutions]

For what it's worth, I've had as much luck with the home cheapo transformers as the $400 ones. If money was no object I like the ones like you've shown with higher voltage taps.

 

[George Stolz]

Their tech support suggested we use QO120HM breakers instead of regular breakers - it seems to have taken care of the problem.

 

[rbwsparky]

We had a similar problem last year. We used a tungsten breaker in a Murray panel and never again had the tripping problem. Next time we mounted transformers further from panel and had no tripping problem.

 

[danickstr]

The problem with the Malibu 600W trannies is that they are dual 300 loads. If this is not an issue, then go with them, since the price is right. But if you need to attach to an existing line with a full 600w on it, I recently ordered one, but have not installed it.

http://www.usalight.com/outdoor-lighting-500-watt-transformer-odx500-c-230-p-1-pr-1238.html

This is the one I ordered, but I can't say anything about it other than I liked the secondary side breaker, and it is primary protected thermally.

 

[al hildenbrand]

Their tech support suggested we use QO120HM breakers instead of regular breakers

Thanks for that followup, George. "HM" for "high magnetic". Quoting the product description: "Recommended for applications where high initial inrush may occur."

I learned something new today. :smile:

 

[George Stolz]

Me too - and surprise upon surprise, the supply house had ten of them in stock!