Do the transformers get weak over the years, my lights get dimmer
further away from the transformer, I only have 110 watts on a 600 watt
transformer, or is my cable bad its only 35 yrs old, as is the
transformer.

On Jan 14, 8:57*am, ransley wrote:
Do the transformers get weak over the years, my lights get dimmer
further away from the transformer, I only have 110 watts on a 600 watt
transformer, or is my cable bad its only 35 yrs old, as is the
transformer.

It's a function of distance, and the Malibu web site states the
limitations. Has the light output diminished recently?

R

ransley wrote:
Do the transformers get weak over the years, my lights get dimmer
further away from the transformer, I only have 110 watts on a 600 watt
transformer, or is my cable bad its only 35 yrs old, as is the
transformer.

The farther the dimmer.... that would be the cable/wire.

On Jan 14, 9:16*am, RicodJour wrote:
On Jan 14, 8:57*am, ransley wrote:

Do the transformers get weak over the years, my lights get dimmer
further away from the transformer, I only have 110 watts on a 600 watt
transformer, or is my cable bad its only 35 yrs old, as is the
transformer.

It's a function of distance, and the Malibu web site states the
limitations. *Has the light output diminished recently?

R

I had them in the basement for years unused, but with the 100ft cable
maybe its normal since I tried another old transformer and its dim.

On Jan 14, 11:17*am, Tony wrote:
ransley wrote:
Do the transformers get weak over the years, my lights get dimmer
further away from the transformer, I only have 110 watts on a 600 watt
transformer, or is my cable bad its only 35 yrs old, as is the
transformer.

The farther the dimmer.... that would be the cable/wire.

Do you mean the wire is old and corroded and new wire would help?

ransley wrote:
On Jan 14, 11:17 am, Tony wrote:
ransley wrote:
Do the transformers get weak over the years, my lights get dimmer
further away from the transformer, I only have 110 watts on a 600 watt
transformer, or is my cable bad its only 35 yrs old, as is the
transformer.
The farther the dimmer.... that would be the cable/wire.

Do you mean the wire is old and corroded and new wire would help?

Yes.

In general wiring, there is always resistance in the wire so it is
normal to be a little dimmer at the far end. A good system will have
wire heavy enough to make that hardly or not noticeable at all.

But... you also have a connection at each light, after 35 years it's due
for a tune up. Start by taking the first light and redoing the wire
nuts at each connection, they are probably a little green by now. Cut
off the old corroded wire and make a new connection with clean wire, new
wire nuts, and dielectric grease. If you don't have any wire to spare
you could try to simply tighten the wire nuts. If not, then replace the
wire.

If the lamps had some type of built in clip on connectors it will have
to be checked carefully, hopefully they aren't corroded and it wont
require new lamp fixtures. If I were in that situation I'd probably
solder the wire to the old lamp fixtures, but learning to solder in this
situation probably isn't a good idea.

On Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:57:22 -0800 (PST), ransley
wrote:

Do the transformers get weak over the years, my lights get dimmer
further away from the transformer, I only have 110 watts on a 600 watt
transformer, or is my cable bad its only 35 yrs old, as is the
transformer.


Transformers don't get weak, but they (and wire connections) might
corrode. You'll need to do some troubleshooting. Yes, even copper
corrodes over time so that may be what you need to replace. I have a
"Made in China" transformer, going on 16 years outdoors. It stays
dry inside a "birdhouse" I made specifically for it.

On Jan 14, 5:34*pm, Phisherman wrote:
On Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:57:22 -0800 (PST), ransley

wrote:
Do the transformers get weak over the years, my lights get dimmer
further away from the transformer, I only have 110 watts on a 600 watt
transformer, or is my cable bad its only 35 yrs old, as is the
transformer.

Transformers don't get weak, but they (and wire connections) might
corrode. *You'll need to do some troubleshooting. * Yes, even copper
corrodes over time so that may be what you need to replace. * I have a
"Made in China" transformer, going on 16 years outdoors. * It stays
dry inside a "birdhouse" I made specifically for it.

The actual transformer willnot get weak, it either works or does not
work. The connections into and out of the transformer are another
matter. They can corrode and drop the voltage.