Malibu Power Pack 200watt Low-Voltage Weatherproof Transformer with Photo Sensor for Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting

I've got two of these units that have been in use for several years now, both operating without any problems whatsoever, so I expect this one to do the same. We get heavy snow annually, so I added a small plywood cover above each unit to keep the snow off the top. These are awesome, worry free, reliable units, and I don't have to babysit them at all! I had to return my last order, an off brand that failed within three months. Though my return is being processed quickly and a refund to be issued I was very disappointed more in myself for not sticking with what works. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you need a reliable low volt outdoor light timer, this is what you are looking for, period. don't waste your time with the cheaper units!

Well built and good isolation from the weather as it is suggested that this unit be located outdoors, although not sure why it shouldn’t be located, say inside a garage on the outside wall.. It has a door that uses a magnet to close with a good gasket around the whole door. A wide assortment of timer functions and complete with photo sensor for simple dusk to dawn operation. The only downside is that the markings for the indicator switch are extremely hard to read (see photo)

Just installed the timer and have several comments. First of all, the wall anchors they provide are worthless if you are installing your unit on drywall. They just tear up the drywall. I decided to attach a wooden panel to the wall and then hang the timer on the panel. Provides much better support. Also, who designed the distance between center of the mounting holes? 2.8 inches? Worse yet, 75.1mm! Couldn't do a simple 3 inch center to center? Do not use the document as a template for the screw holes, it is off .2 (2 tenths) of an inch! Finally, 300 watts drives a lot of lights. There is only 1 set of terminal posts. My old unit had 2. For $150, you would think they would include 2. Finally, setting the time is slow. Best time to set your time is midnight. Otherwise, you have to scroll through all the times up to the current time which takes a while. I will update this review after a few weeks to let you know how well it works. The reason for three stars is for engineering. I guess the cliché is right: They don't make them like they use to! Update 2/9/23: Unit died! Tried the circuit breaker but to no avail. Display lights up but the unit won't turn the lights on. Wast of money! Changing rating to 1 star.

Fantastic! Easy to set up, durable. I love Malibu lighting products and have gotten many years of use out of them. I upgraded to the 300 Watt transformer so I could expand my lighting farther around the yard. My previous transformer is still working after many years of hard weather and constant use. I moved it to a smaller side yard. Transformer arrived promptly and was very well packed. Mounted photo cell works great.

I've purchased a lot of these over the years. I now have 4 different landscape lighting zones, and I use these on all of them. I've had a couple problems with units that stop working, one was a few years old, but more recently one stopped working after only 3-4 months over the spring and summer. I've replaced it with a new one that hopefully lasts longer. I have a few that have been working for almost 10 years now. They say they have a 1 year limited warranty, but there is no information on how to utilize the warranty and online searches keep saying Malibu when out of business 5+ years ago! No idea what's true, but this rating would be a 5 if I didn't have to replace a brand new transformer this last time! BTW, the setup and features are so simple, I love that part!

This is probably the easiest transformer to program that I've ever used. I've been through about 4 of them of other different brands. They all seem to burn out after about 10 to 15 years. I thought I'd give this a try. So far I am happy with it. I weld a stand for it, mounted in the ground keeping the unit elevated above the ground by about 8 inches. The thing that I was most impressed with is I programmed it in my workshop with nothing attached, and then took it to the jobsite about 5 days later and install it and it had maintained its programming from the day I had set it up in the workshop are areas prone to power failures. The ones that I've had before of always had to reset after a power failure. This one has a memory bank that keeps the settings memorized. I use a photo on timed off, which is just one detent position with the dial auto on timed off. All I have to do is set the time. And then turn the knob to the very first position and it's off and running couldn't be happier. The doors attractive. It is waterproof, but I usually put a plastic bag over these to keep moisture out. You can hook up 2 wires separately by using each side of the hold down screws and square washers. That way you can put the transformer in the middle of your circuit and running 2 separate branches. I use this to light up 12- 5W LED M-16 BI-pin lamps in waterproof fittings and couldn't be happier. The brilliance of each bulb is equal all the way across the hundred and 50 foot spread of wire which is 16gauge. I simply place the photosensor on top of the unit itself and it works just fine on at dusk off at midnight couldn't be happier

I purchased this Malibu 200 W 12 volt transformer to power my backyard lighting system. I have 21 lights hooked-up in two directions about 150 feet on one side and over 200 feet on another side with the transformer somewhere in the middle near a convenient electric outlet power source. I am using 16 gauge wire with no issues and have power at both ends. Saved significant money over purchase of thicker electrical wire. The unit is very well constructed. The company provides a template that you can cut out and use to drill the mounting screws (provided) which simplifies installation. The slots on the back of the unit fit very precisely to the mounting screws with little variation or play. This makes for very secure installation, but if the holes are slightly off, the unit will not slide down on the mounting screws properly. I used the template and measured to get a good fit. I like the outer "door" that opens which not only adds protection but also aesthetics to the unit as the controls are hidden. The unit is very flexible allowing a photocell (provided) to sense when to turn the system off & on. In addition, the system has an internal clock (must be set) that allows complete on and off control. Finally the system also has pre-sets which are handy. The only thing to point out is that the wires are connected below with one set of attachment screws. I had no issue running two sets of wires (4 total) from the screws, but I can see some manipulation necessary if one was to run multiple sets of wires from this unit. Advise is to mount the wires below first before mounting the transformer in a permanent position as it is easier to work on the transformer / wire attachment that way - at least for me. Then I just place the system on the screws and all is ready to add lights. Very pleased. Great value and system structure. I highly recommend. Marc - SC

So far so good. I've only been using the transformer for a couple of days but it's working fine. I picked this one because I replaced the old one of the same brand and it was at least 10-11 years old and still working with the photo cell. I needed more voltage due to adding more lights and consolidating 3 circuits down to 2. I like the fat that it has a door to cover the clock because of hot summers in Arizona and it faces west. Hopefully I will get another decade with the new one.