Landscape lighting - what most people get WRONG about landscape lighting transformers

Many people have a misunderstanding of transformers and these are the top 5 of the misunderstandings that I have come across of landscape lighting transformers.



Landscape lighting is growing in popularity. More people are wanting to install their own landscape lighting, especially during this season.

If you are a DIYer looking into installing your own landscape lighting, click the link below to learn more about landscape lighting.

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[aklighting]

Thanks for watching the video! If you want to learn more or need help, here are 3 options.

[nzxwhjm]

Thanks for the video. Gave me some important insight as to what I need to do.

[marcom]

Man you are helpful... I'm about to start my landscape lighting.

[richardroof]

Good info in this video, thanks for taking the time! I used a Hadco transformer in my system. Have had it about 25 years now, no problems. I run 8 PAR36 lamps and they usually last about10-12 years. Have had zero issues with my transformer. Model #TS643-13. Hadco is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for!

[StevenTheSinner]

I think of it like this... the comm is the common..or as i like to think of it as a communication wire becasue thats the one with with the words...aka a form of communication. The rough wire gets the other line. Makes it easy when keeping this in mind during the needed add ons to your line. Im pretty new to the industry so bear with me.

[billwilliamson]

Thank You so very much..You have been a GREAT Help..

[bmw]

Interesting you scoff at big box store lights. I bought a set of 24 5 watt LED lights to line my pathway about 8 years ago for $200.00. And guess what they’re still working. So they’re not that bad. Now the Kichler lights I had issues with.

[juan]

I bought a cheap $69.00 120 watt transformer with 12 lights from Lowe's about 8-10 year's ago and it still works till this day I guess I got lucky
Thanks for posting videos

[darkwood]

Some transformers do connect directly to line current. I have two of these that are then manually controlled by a wall switch on a dedicated circuit. I also have two transformers with programmable timers that plug into a receptacle.

[larrysimon]

Adam, great video and instruction. Recently I discovered that my outdoor lighting stopped working. When I went to look at the transformer, I discovered that the wire going to my outlet had blowen out of the outlet and there seemed to suggest a surge took place. In fact, the ground portion of the plug remained in the outlet and separated from the plug itself. There were signs of a "blowout". My question is if I plug the cord back into the outlet to test the transformer without the grounding portion of the plug would the transformer work? I tested it and it doesn't seem to work so I was planning to by another transformer.

[johnkhatwani]

Thanks for making your videos! I just bought a new home and your videos have been amazing in figuring out my landscape lighting issues!!!

[nursecuenca]

Great video. I have old malibu transformer but I want to add led strip lights to it. How would I do that?

[ndjjujp]

Great videos! Question: I have a set of low voltage LED landscape lights that require 12V. I'm using 12/2 wire for 2 runs of 100 feet each. Can I use the 13V or 14V tap in the transformer though the lights are rated for 12V?

[Batsonoutdoordesigns]

Only thing I would add is make sure you check local code, as most require the outdoor outlet to have a cover as well as a gfi receptacle 👌

[MetrologyEngineer]

2:29 I love your videos and respect you immensely, but you should look into using wire ferrules since they upgrade the quality of your wiring significantly. Not only is it less safe to have a ton of exposed copper, but it's easier to connect and disconnect a wire ferrule; who doesn't like tidier!

Thanks,
-Adam

Use a multi meter to see . Measure your at your last light, if the voltage is lower than where you are wired to, move it up at the multi tap point of the transformer until you get the correct voltage you need. Dc voltage drops fast, long runs may require 15v and 10/2 wire

[juanjamaica]

Hello there and thank you for sharing this eye opener for me.. however i do have a question if i may: some how, some way can a dimmer be connected to a transformer? or vice versa? this client of mine complaint the the lights are too bright, and waas wondering if that could be possib;e thay have a hampton bay 60 w one thank you in advance :-)

[mm]

Great Stuff Adam! What constitutes "far away"? 3:08 mark Thanks.

[abeibrahim]

Hi, great tutorial - I need your help FINDING where is and how to find my transformer - I just moved into an old house and found there are 4 entryway lights (20w Holigan bulbs) with thick mesh strands cables attached - I noticed the Bi-Pin sockets were old and bulbs broken, so I replaced all sockets with 3W (20W equivalent) LEDS thinking that would solve the problem but it did not - After seeing your videos, I tried to locate the transformer and looked everywhere, but with no success... I do not have a wire tracer (too expensive) and hoping that you may know a way to find it, Thanks!

[coreymack]

What type of soffit Down lights do you recommend that will run off of a transformer instead of line voltage?