Landscape lighting transformer repair. How to add a dusk to dawn sensor to a landscape transformer.

[@richardmarkus5716]

Excellent instruction. Tested and found the $$$ 600w transformer was ok. Similarly, my built in sensor was faulty. Bypassed (eliminated) the light sensor. Added an in-line plug-in external astronomic timer from Home Depot so that the garden and pathway lights turn on at dusk and off at 10 PM every day. Cost: $25. Time: 1 Hr. Thank you!

[@GregsShop]

Glad you got it fixed. Thanks for watching leaving a comment!

[@brunestewart3061]

Great job! I went to Lowe's and bought the dust to dawn sensor, drilled the hole in the side of the case, installed wires per the directions, and it worked like a charm. Thanks again.

[@GregsShop]

Awesome! Glad it worked for you. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. I appreciate the feedback.

[@williamcotter4266]

I just went out and bought new ones when I got hit by lightning. I wish you would have done this video about 15 months ago. Nice Job greg.

[@GregsShop]

Thanks Willy...glad you liked it!

[@aidanmullen9438]

Man, what a fantastic, simple idea! Thank you!

[@GregsShop]

Thank you for the kind words. Glad the video was able to help you.

[@phunkissartisticcreations2316]

Love when people repair things instead of trashing them and buying new.

[@GregsShop]

Yes! Me too, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@82loboss]

Just buy a new transformer save the money you will be spending for hospital bills.

[@stanrylands6693]

Thank You, Greg. Video was spot on for my problem!

[@GregsShop]

Awesome, glad I could help. Thanks for watching.

[@linkydinkydoodledumplin]

This was great. Thank you so much.

[@GregsShop]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching!

[@mikeandcarterwebb5177]

Great video. When I plug in my transformer the lights do come on. But they stay on regardless of the setting. If I put it on A to come on at dusk and go off at dawn they still stay on all day and I have to just unplug them.

[@GregsShop]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Are you going to add the sensor?

[@balutpwr1595]

Do I have remove the reset switch too or leave them?

[@GregsShop]

Depending on the way it’s set up, I’d leave the reset switch if it is functioning. This protects the transformer from dead shorts in your underground wiring. If the reset breaker is bad, I’d purchase a similar one and replace the bad switch. I have found these transformers to be pretty solid. It’s usually all of the timers and switches that go bad. Hope that helps! -Greg

[@balutpwr1595]

Thanks Greg. I’ll definitely try that. Another question, the reset switch is rated at 15 amp. It is okay to replace it with a 25 amp switch?

[@GregsShop]

@balutpwr1595 no, your outlet would be rated at either 15 amps or 20 amps…so you would want the breaker on on the transformer to be lower. If it was higher than the rated amperage of the a/c circuit, your breaker in the panel will trip before the breaker on the transformer. Keep it at the 15 amp.

[@swolff5]

Good video Greg. Nice job on the editing. Keep up the good work.

[@GregsShop]

I appreciate the positive comments. Keeps me want to get better. I’m going to buy a better camera soon too.

[@swolff5]

PS: Love the Wooden flag you made that is out at HBPD. Would be great to see a video on you making one. Would like to try and make one myself, maybe haha. Great, great job!

[@GregsShop]

Casper500 maybe you can come out to the shop and we can build a flag for you!

[@swolff5]

Awesome!

[@axg275]

great job thanks for the video!

[@GregsShop]

Thank you! Hope it helped you out.

[@kitchenbathdesigner]

I have the same unit however it’s the multi-tap transformer and ordered the photo cell you mentioned. My unit was stuck in the “on” position so it never turned off. I opened it and found more wires than the one here but managed to wire it properly. It’s back up and running. Thanks for making this video! I wouldn’t have known which cell to purchase! My backyard is illuminated at night and I couldn’t be happier!

[@GregsShop]

Hey that’s awesome. So glad you got it fixed and better yet, you did it yourself! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@kitchenbathdesigner]

Greg's Shop It’s all thanks to you! I couldn’t be more thankful I came across your video! Thanks again!

[@nopriors]

Do you know if the transformer clicks on and off that I have the same problem?

[@GregsShop]

The only clicking would be from a timer or a relay. The transformer will have a hum. You may have to separate the timer/ switch electrically and test them both. Most of the time, the transformer is good. It’s the timer/ sensor/ switches that go bad. Hope that helps

[@nopriors]

@@GregsShop Thanks Greg

[@balutpwr1595]

Hi. I have a 300 watt low voltage transformer but have two transformer inside. How do I connect them? Thank you in advance.

[@GregsShop]

You basically find the 120v input and run them both through the dusk to dawn switch. Though I would caution you to verify the 600 watts total is less than the rated wattage that the dusk to dawn switch. If the switch only gives you amps then it must be lower than 5 amps.

[@GregsShop]

Look at this one. This switch exceeds the 100% capacity of your 600 watt total transformers. a.co/d/e9xvQ5s

[@balutpwr]

Hey great video. Got a question. I have a dual portfolio 300 watt with dual transformer. How do I wire/attached? They also have these 88 series circuit breakers on both. Thanks in advance and happy Easter.

[@GregsShop]

You are going to wire it the same way. The dusk to dawn sensor goes on the input side of the transformer. That acts as a switch to put 120v ac into the transformer. The output will remain unchanged. The circuit breaker are for the output phase of the transformer. That is to prevent a short on one of the transformer taps. Keeps the transformer from burning up. Hope that helps. Happy Easter to you too!

[@Impostertot]

Thanks Greg for this video. What if I just need to replace the transformer? Is it worth it? I run my pond lights on a timer so I do not need the light sensor. Cheers.

[@GregsShop]

Yes you could find a transformer with the same form factor if you want to use the same weatherproof transformer case. If you can't find a transformer that will fit, you can always get a weatherproof NEMA box from Home Depot and mount a transformer in that. Not sure how much wattage you need but 120vac to 12vac transformers are fairly cheap. Hope this helps, let me know if you need more information. Voltage Converter Transformer 110/120V to AC 12V/5A, AGPtEK 60-Watt Waterproof Power Supply Converter for Swimming Pool Light, Water Pump, Outdoor Light, Spotlights www.amazon.com/dp/B00WUARNC6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tau_6Jy4Eb0XNVB8S NSi TORK TPX100 Low-Voltage 100-Watt Safety Transformer For Indoor/Outdoor Pool/Spa, Landscape and Submersible Lighting Products, LED Compatible, Beige www.amazon.com/dp/B06XPV1XD7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tau_CLy4Eb8VZGXTP

[@Impostertot]

@@GregsShop That's awesome Greg! Thanks for the recommendation. Once I check the transformer, if it does not work then I will look into getting what you suggested.

[@MrBowmanmt]

Greg, I have a 250 x 2 transformer. We had a lightning hit. The manual works aoj, but on photocell it wont. I hooked up a new photo and still no luck.. The control , like yours need to be cut out and direct photo. If i send you detailed pics, can you help.

[@GregsShop]

I’ll give it my best shot. [e-mail]

[@MrBowmanmt]

@@GregsShop I emailed you a video

[@ralphmcelroy3857]

Hi Greg ... my Portfolio 120 W Power Pack has worked fine for 3.5 yrs. Now the lights only turn on briefly then go out. Can I fix or replace?

[@GregsShop]

If you have a multi meter open the case and check the output side of the transformer you may need to rewire it at least temporarily so you can verify you are getting 12v AC output. The component that usually fails on these transformers are the switches, timers/computer boards. If you can bypass all that stuff you will know if the transformer is good or not. One you establish that the transformer is good, I would recommend fixing it like I show in my video. Let me know how it goes. [e-mail]

[@sidneybristow815]

Can you list the equipment in notes?

[@GregsShop]

I usually don’t put links to products in the description because they expire or become dead . I usually have to just respond to questions like this. Try this or something equivalent. Thanks for watching and good luck fixing your transformer. Woods 59411WD Outdoor Hardwired Stem and Swivel Light Control with Photocell, Compatible with Most Types of Bulbs, Swivel Mount for Adjustable Placement, Automatic Settings, Time Delay www.amazon.com/dp/B003YXBJZU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Y0KFSTFKH0DSY9J85E93 Or this HGG 1 Pack Outdoor Photoelectric Sensor,Dusk to Dawn Swivel Mount Conduit Lighting Control with Photocell,Automatic Adjustable Photo Sensor Switch for Indoor and Outdoor Light www.amazon.com/dp/B083FCLM6N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_9H47BYXF60FKVWNCXKE0

[@chintan01]

For me when I turn move for all the numbers 1 to 9 and on to Auto setting, all the lights come on for a sec and then goes off. Any idea, what would be wrong with the unit based on the one time flickering?

[@GregsShop]

I would suspect the controller is bad. Does it have an always on setting? If so, switch it to those and see if the lights stay on. It’s probably a bad photo cell on the controller and you would either have to modify yours like I did to mine or replace the whole unit. I believe yours comes on at dark and then runs for the number of hours you select 1-9. Exact fit Parts for these devices can be hard to find if they exist at all. Is the unit still under warranty? Maybe try calling the company that makes them and convince them to send you a brand new one. Hope that helps. Good luck and keep us posted! Thanks for watching.

[@dirkrosillo]

Hi. My Portfolio Outdoor 600w transformer was doing the same thing …turning on for a split second, then off. Following Greg’s video, I removed the controller and rewired directly to the power supply. It was very easy and intuitive. In lieu of drilling a hole and adding a day/night sensor which would leave the lights on all night, I simply bought a TP-Link Kasa outdoor-rated plug and set it to come on at sunset and off at 11pm via the app. $16 plug on Amazon, but you could easily use any outdoor light sensor/timer to plug the transformer power cord into. Please note, when you remove the controller from the bottom of the housing, you should replace the two screws that held it in place to maintain the weatherproofing. Hopefully this added advice is helpful. Great job on the video, Greg.

[@GregsShop]

Excellent advise and explaining keeping the housing water tight. This is certainly a great solution and definitely a good option. I am considering doing another video where instead of using light sensor I would use a WiFi smart plug. Thanks for sharing your excellent advise and for watching the video.

[@JimmyJohnson-c7w]

Is my sensor bad if the lights stay on all the time ?

[@GregsShop]

Probably

[@irmafacundo7107]

Another way was just to wire the sensor to the outlet and that would work as well ...

[@user-yp7jo8ci9f]

What would cause the flickering

[@GregsShop]

Led lights or halogen?

[@user-yp7jo8ci9f]

@@GregsShop led lights…..

[@GregsShop]

Check your output voltage at the transformer with and without the wire connected. Then with the wire connected at the last landscape light on the wire. Make sure you have at least 12 volts a/c . Voltage being low can cause the flickering.

[@5150roc]

$67.00 ???? Shot you could have bought an enite new one.

[@GregsShop]

6 OR 7 dollars is what was said. Not $67.00.

[@elizabethwymore7175]

Yak, yak, yak...5 minutes into the video and he finally starts actually doing something.

[@GregsShop]

This coming from the expert on producing you tube videos. Thanks for watching and leaving such enlightening comments.

[@nopriors]

Sounds like someone hasn’t had their BM this morning…

[@balutpwr]

Hey great video. Got a question. I have a dual portfolio 300 watt with dual transformer. How do I wire/attached? They also have these 88 series circuit breakers on both. Thanks in advance and happy Easter.

[@GregsShop]

I have the same one. you would only be placing the sensor/switch on the incoming power. you would have to disconnect the internal sensor as that controls the power coming out the transformer. you would wire directly from the transformer output to the circuit breakers/ terminals. Hope this helps.