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#193252 03/24/10 12:56 AM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 193
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I picked up some work at a 2600 acre mountain developement here in western North Carolina. It's basically lots of small stuff that their maintenance can't or doesn't want to do(repair fixtures, troublshoot photoeyes and timers, etc.) They are having a problem with some landscape lights continually blowing bulbs. They are the Malibu brand with the 180watt/timer combo. There are 8 11 watt lamps on the circuit.

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,919
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Are the bulbs really bad or just developing a bad contact with the socket. These Malibu things are pretty much junk if it is the same stuff they sell at Home Depot.
What is the actual voltage?


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,380
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Longshot could be....incorrect bulbs. The wedge base bulbs could be the incorrect voltage.



John
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19
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Originally Posted by gfretwell
Are the bulbs really bad or just developing a bad contact with the socket. These Malibu things are pretty much junk if it is the same stuff they sell at Home Depot.
What is the actual voltage?


Have to agree here, I have these at my house. If it is not a bad connection with the bulb contacts, it can also be the wire clamp connection, which is usually buried under ground. The wire clamp is also plastic and a pain to crimp tightly.

forqnc #193266 03/24/10 10:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 402
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How close are the bulbs to the timer. I beleieve they need to be a certain distance away or the voltage is too high. The output voltage is actually higher to compensate for voltage drop.

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
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"They" (Intermatic) also recommend that the transformer be loaded to at least 50% of its rating, or an overvoltage condition will result.

You might try a 121 watt xfrmr.
http://www.amazon.com/Intermatic-ML121RT-Malibu-Voltage-121-Watt/dp/B0002YTPL4

Intermatic also manufactures an 88 watt transformer if you think it's more suited to your needs
http://www.amazon.com/Malibu-ML88T-88-Watt-Ground-Shield/dp/B0000DG57B/ref=pd_cp_hi_2
.

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 251
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Also, look at the bad bulbs. If they are black, then the bulb envelop cracked, mostly due to water, and let air in.If so check for water intrusion I agree most of these are made real cheap. Robert

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 193
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The bulbs are black. Some of the ones that still work have turned black. I agree that they are cheap. I am getting 12 v at the socket. I will talk to them about upgrading the fixtures.


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