Malibu Low voltage transformer is one of the most versatile and dependable solutions for Landscape lighting. Landscape lighting has some key considerations and requires a lightweight electrical transformer.
Some of the old school people still believe that mechanical low voltage transformer is always best.
But due to versatile product development and professional engineering mastery, make this Low voltage electric transformer a quality alternative to the traditional mechanical transformer.
In this comprehensive analysis, we try to figure out the ins and outs and installation of this renowned low voltage transformer.
Why is the Malibu the Best Low Voltage Transformer?
There are hundreds of low-voltage transformer brands and models. That is why you need to be very selective about picking any brand.
You will find the real quality things in the Malibu brand, which is as efficient as this. Some submersible transformers are very much useable in swimming pools, waterfalls, and other places.
What is The Maximum Life Span of a Transformer?
Most of the cases, you can use these kinds of lights efficiently work for 4/5 years without any significant damage.
But if you to the proper troubleshooting, then you can use one low voltage transformers for more than ten years.
Though there are various kinds of voltage transformer, we are helping you to give you all types of information on this blog so that you can find the best suitable voltage transformer for you.
Let’s begin with this thing! Learn all the ins and outs about the Malibu low voltage transformer.
Malibu Low Voltage Transformer
What is a Low Voltage Transformer?
Before understanding the low voltage transformer, we need to realize between the line transformer and low voltage transformer.
This line voltage transformer is the average voltage of 120V or 220 volts, but the low transformer is that transformer that operates below the line voltage.
This is the reason, specific ring lights and can lights usually require low voltage transformer typically of 12 V.
But based on the need and capacity there are few more brands and a transformer which has more capacity, You may also get a custom made transformer as your requirement.
The performance, power rating, and overall construction have a great deal to determine the performance of a particular low voltage transformer.
A low voltage transformer may have two types in which one is electric, and the other is mechanical. The mechanical transformer consists of different windings.
These windings provide various kinds of automatic loss; that is why it reduces efficiency.
On the other hand, the electric transformer does not contain any type of magnetic loss, so that it is compact, provides less electricity loss.
Why is the low voltage transformer used for landscape lighting?
Voltage transformers are one of the necessary items for landscape lighting.
Sometimes these voltage transformers are used for event lighting. As there are hundreds of light and consistent variations of light power and electric load, these types of transformers are mandatory.
Moreover, these transformers are essentials for load management of lighting.
As there are hundreds of lights are lit during the landscape lighting. A considerable amount of electricity volume is changing now and then. That is why it is tough to maintain the voltage manually.
In that case, a low voltage transformer is very suitable for the landscape. In the meantime, this kind of low voltage is safer than other voltage regulating device.
The automated system has also made his low voltage transformer an essential part and parcel of landscaping.
Most importantly, these small voltage transformers are safe. As an example, we can say the name of Malibu Low Voltage Transformer.
Why is Malibu transformer best for landscape lighting?
There are hundreds of low voltage transformer brand and models. But none of them are reliable enough. That is why you need to be very selective about picking any brand.
In that case, we can recommend you for Malibu low voltage transformer.
Considering the public review, real user review, and previous track record, this voltage transformer is best among all.
But you have to consider that you cannot use this voltage transformer in wet weather or something submersible.
So it is suggested that you cannot use this kind of voltage transformer in the water-related environment.
We can recommend you to go and compare with other transformers available in the market. You will find the real quality things in the Malibu brand.
As per our research, there is no other brand in the low voltage transformer, which is as efficient as this.
Some of the submersible transformers are very much useable in the swimming pools, waterfalls, and other places. These transformers are high for lighting in those places.
Features of Malibu Transformers
For your help, we are suggesting all the available features of this brand. Here is the list of features of Malibu Transformers:
- Multiple capacity transformers available
- There are manual on/off override system
- Built-in photocell
- Automatic circuit breaker
- Heavy-duty power cord available
- Water-resistant
- Plastic shade materials
- Relatively lightweight
- Adjustable light direction
- One year warranty
- Powerpack do not exceed 75% of its capacity
Pros & Cons of Malibu Transformer
Similar to all other products, there are both pros and cons of Malibu Transformer. Due to that, we are suggesting to you all the things so that you can choose the best option for you.
But considering the other brand transformer, the Malibu brand has more efficiency than others.
Here is the list of pros and cons of Malibu Transformers:
- Heavy Duty Items
- Both Manual and automatic system
- Efficient power management capacity
- On/Off timer with manual override system
- Suitable for submersible usages
- Durable than most other brands
- Easy to operate and handle
- The best user manual provided
- LED display available
- Most heavy-duty cable cord available
- AM/PM timer setup available
- Cannot be used in ground-level due to electric shock problem
- Cannot be connected with the more than two parallel line
- Not suitable for any kind of external cord usage
- Cannot be used with dimmers
- Circuit breaker sometimes need to be restarted
Cost, Where to Buy?
There are different varieties of transformers available in Malibu. Based on the capacity and model, the price of items is incompatible.
For your help, we are giving some small briefs which will be beneficial for you before purchase.
Malibu offers voltage transformer ranging from 45 watts to 1200 watts, and in consideration of volt, it varies from 12V to 120V.
If you go through different online shops like Amazon, Aliexpress then you will find the price ranges varies from $40 to $500. In the case of a custom order, the price may change from time to time.
In case of any discount offer, you may get these items in a much more low cost.
In the meantime, if you buy at the time of any suggestions offered at the shops, then you can purchase these transformers at a much lower price.
Simultaneously, besides online shops, you will get these transformers in many retail electrical shops with a guarantee and much lower price.
But be aware that if you found any older model low voltage transformer, then it is not suitable for buying. In most cases, these kinds of transformers are too risky to use.
Before purchasing Malibu transformers, please have a visit to the physical address and check by items as your own. Then you can order the objects anywhere you want with a guarantee.
How to Install Malibu Transformer For Outdoor Lighting
Setting up a Malibu transformer outdoor is not that much hard. If you have the necessary knowledge, then you can easily set it up anywhere you want.
You just need to make sure that the electric line you are plugged in with is secured. Here are the steps of how to set up Malibu transformer in outdoor:
- Firstly lay out the light where you want to set it up.
- Do not mix all the light cable one with other because that can create short-circuit
- Place the transformer in a secured dry place above the ground.
- Set the transformer in a stable position
- Plug the transformer with the mainline of electricity
- Plug all the electric cable with the transformer socket
- Set the timer or set the timing manually as you wish
- Switch on the mainline, and your lights will start blinking
- Adjust the volt and schedule as you wish.
Malibu Low Voltage Transformer Troubleshooting
As these kinds of transformers are highly used and used in the outdoor environment, they may need to troubleshoot due to high usages.
Firstly, it is highly suggested that they do not open the transformer by any non-trained person.
You must take this to the electric shop where these kinds of things are repaired or take it to the shop from where you brought it.
But before taking it to find anywhere that the transformers are not working fine or showing some disturbance.
Then unplug the transformer from the line and reconnect it again. Sometimes some issues may arise with the circuit breaker. At that time, you may check the circuit breaker.
In case the transformer gets too hot, then you need to cool it down then plugin it again to make it work.
Malibu Low Voltage Transformer Timer Not Working?
A switch failure, the timer is the common problem of any kind of transformer. If there is any warranty, make it useful.
- Before installing a low voltage transformer, make sure to use a surge protector.
- aware of the wattage of your power pack matches with installed light bulbs wattage.
- Don’t use a low-quality power pack and a cheap timer.
15 each* 20 watt bulbs = 300-watt power pack= correct
15 each* 20watt bulbs = 500watt power pack = wrong
A mismatch will cause burn out both lights and power back.
If the timer won’t work, few things may cause the problem
- Clock motor gear may be stripped
- or the motor got leaked
You can fix both to see if it works or not, reset the timer and restart it. If no matter what you do, doesn’t change anything at all, then its time to throw and get a new time different brand to cope up with better.
Maintenance Tips
There are many tips for keeping light voltage transformers in good condition. We appreciate your help and offer some maintenance tips on low-voltage transformers, such as Malibu and many others.
- Never connect these transformers to water if they are not submersible.
- If you’re going to keep an appliance on the patio, make sure it’s well covered from dust and direct sunshine.
- Put it away from the fire, and avoid using it in case of a storm.
- Do not place any significant weights on these transformers.
- Do not connect these types of transformers to the defective electric line
- Do some troubleshooting of the device to ensure the long-term durability of it
- The transformers should be hidden inside the packet after use.
- Do not throw it out of your hands or pass it directly into the earth.
FAQs
Is this kind of transformer is mandatory for outdoor lighting?
Yes, it is. If you are using much light for lighting, then this kind of transformer is mandatory. In the meantime, these types of transformers are suitable for the security of the sun.
These transformers are suitable to use for the safety of the electric line of your home and the place you are putting the lights for decoration.
What are the best voltage transformers to use on lawn?
There are several voltage brands available in the market, but not all of them are good in quality. From our end, we can suggest you Malibu brand.
As per the review of the people and the existing user, all the transformers of this model is suitable to use.
How many lights can I use with a single view?
The number of lights you can use with a single electrical circuit depends on several factors, including the voltage of the circuit, the wattage of the lights, and the capacity of the circuit breaker or fuse protecting the circuit.
In general, a typical 120-volt circuit in a home can handle a maximum load of 15 or 20 amps, depending on the size of the circuit breaker or fuse. To determine how many lights you can safely use on a single circuit, you need to calculate the total wattage of the lights and divide it by the circuit voltage (120 volts).
For example, if you are using 100-watt light bulbs, you can safely use up to 12 lights on a 15-amp circuit (1200 watts / 120 volts = 10 amps), or up to 16 lights on a 20-amp circuit (1600 watts / 120 volts = 13.3 amps).
It’s important to note that other devices or appliances may also be connected to the same circuit, so it’s important to make sure you don’t exceed the maximum load capacity of the circuit. Additionally, if you plan to add new lights or make other changes to your electrical system, it’s always a good idea to consult with a licensed electrician to ensure that the work is done safely and up to code.
Is Malibu is the best transformer for outdoor lighting?
From our research, we have found that Malibu is the best brand for outdoor lighting.
There are a few more companies, but none of them are as better as this.
Does anyone need to use high capacity transformers for home use?
For the use of this kind of transformer, you do not need to use high capacity transformers.
As from the past user, it is recorded we have found that most of the home users use a maximum of 500-watt capacity transformers.
If you own more light in a big house than the average, then you may need a more significant capacity item.
Verdict
Day by day, the use of lighting is growing. In the case of illumination outside the own yard, this thing is very much essential.
Due to this, we are expecting that the use of this kind of low voltage transformers will rise day by day.
We may hope that these kinds of transformers may have a remote control system.
By which we can monitor and operate this from a long distance without any disturbances.
The more the days are going, the more and more new realities of these transformers are coming.
Let’s see what happens next. Who knows any dramatic changes may occur in terms of considering future technology.
