"default" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 4 Oct 2006 22:58:26 -0400, "vMike"
wrote:

I have a 120v to 24vac transformer for a lawn sprinkler system that has
failed about 3 times since I purchased the house. This time I took the
windings apart and found the break in the 120v winding. I live in a
lightening prone area. Is this failure most likely from power surges or is
there some other possible cause.

Thanks.

Mike


Lightening might be a culprit. Lightening may manifest as an open
where the connection to the winding is made or an internal short.

A surge protector and a good ground will do wonders for lightening
problems -

You said you took the winding apart? If the transformer were dying
due to over current/heat, you's see charred windings.

The other good choice is a massive momentary overload that is enough
to open the winding but isn't present long enough to char the
insulation on the magnet wire. Shorted wire out to a valve - or
compromised insulation inside the transformer itself.

Most of the lawn timers I've seen have fuses. Check that to see if it
is the correct size.
The fuse was over sized. Probably because it was blowing. See my response to
previous poster.

Mike