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Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Low Voltage Pre-Sale Low Voltage Usage Low Voltage Lights Installation Low Voltage Lighting Maintenance and Repair Other Low Voltage Pre-Sale: Are low voltage lights safe around children and pets? Yes, low voltage lights are safe. Since they operate on 12-volt electrical current, as compared to conventional 120-volt systems, there is no fear of shock. In fact, the system may be installed with the power pack turned on so that lights can be tested as they`re connected. Does Malibu have a submersible light for ponds and fountains? Yes, the light has a 20` cable attached and must be used with a ground shield power pack. (For fountains or ponds as long as they contain no aquatic life.) Not recommended for pools, spas or hot tubs. Where can I purchase Malibu kits and individual fixtures? Malibu Products are available at the Home Depot and replacement parts are available on MalibuLights.com. Low Voltage Usage: Can I use my Malibu Low Voltage Lights with power packs besides Malibu Low Voltage Outdoor Power Packs? Your Malibu Low Voltage Lighting is designed for use ONLY with Malibu Low Voltage Outdoor Power Packs. Using power packs besides Malibu Low Voltage Outdoor Power Packs may result in reduced performance from your Malibu Low Voltage Lighting. How many lights can I add to my system? You may add lights to your system as long as the total watts of all the lights does not exceed the rated watts of the transformer. What is the C terminal used for on my transformer? The C terminal is for use only with the optional 3 wire photo control accessory. My lights seem to dim, even though I`m well within the limits for cable gauge, number of lamps and transformer power. What should I do? To boost your light output, reduce the resistance of the cable (change from 16-gauge to 14-gauge, etc.) Should transformers be used to their full capacity? Yes. As the load decreases, the output voltage of the transformer increases. Therefore, the life of low voltage lamps will be shortened unless the transformer is carrying close to its rated capacity. The rule of thumb is to use at least half the transformer`s wattage rating. What is voltage drop? Voltage drop is caused by the electrical resistance of the cable which restricts the flow of electricity. The smaller the cable size and the more lights used, the lower the light output will be along the cable. When voltage drop occurs, you may experience insufficient light output, particularly with the lights farthest away from the transformer. Voltage drop can be minimized by switching to a lower gauge of cable. Why do low voltage lighting systems require a transformer? You must have a transformer to reduce the 120-volt AC home current to a safe 12 volts AC. Do not attempt to hook up a line of 12-volt lamps directly to an ordinary home outlet without using a 12-volt transformer. Can I submerge the landscape lighting lamps in my pool, fountain or pond? No. Landscape lighting must not be used for this purpose. Use only a system listed for use as submersible fixtures. How can I prevent my power pack plug from getting wet when it rains? Many hardware stores and home centers carry an item called the "protection-a-plug" outlet cover. The outlet cover consists of a backing plate that mounts on the existing outlet or electrical box, two inserts for a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and/or duplex receptacle, a gasket and a clear plastic cover. After plugging in the power cord, simply close the outlet cover to keep moisture from penetrating the electrical connection. Why do all my lights blink on and off continuously? The transformer is overloaded. It automatically cycles to prevent overheating. Make sure the total lamps watts do not exceed the transformer rating. Since higher wattage replacement bulbs may have been installed, you may need to examine each bulb instead of using the wattage marked on the fixture. After installing the kit, one or more lights will not illuminate. What is wrong? Check bulb by placing in a known good fixture. Make sure the gray and black connectors are squeezed together as tightly as possible with your fingers. Do NOT use a tool for this operation. If this fixture will still not illuminate, squeeze the legs of the gray and black connector to loosen and remove from its present location. Move up or down on the cable and reconnect securely. My lights start out bright but dim towards the end of my cable. What is wrong? Check to make sure the end of your cable has a clean cut and none of the strands of wire are touching the other side. If you have any spliced cable off your main run, make sure this splice is soldered and you have a secure connection. Can I use any 12-volt lamp with my fixtures? For best results, use the lamp recommended by the manufacturer. Take care not to exceed fixture lamp wattage rating. Low Voltage Lights Installation: Can you mix different wattage fixtures on the same cable run and transformer (e.g., 14-watt floodlights with 18-watt entrance light fixtures)? Yes. To mix different wattage fixtures, add up the total wattage of the lamps. As long as their total wattage does not exceed the output of the transformer, you can mix and match lights. Do I need a transformer to use my Malibu Low Voltage Lighting? Yes, Malibu Low Voltage Lighting requires a transformer. Malibu Low Voltage transformers are safe and economical. Your Malibu Low Voltage Lighting is not designed for use with 120v power. Do not plug your lighting directly into a 120v receptacle. Use only with Malibu Low Voltage Outdoor Power Packs. WARNING: Risk of fire or electrical shock if used with 120v Power. What gauge cable should I use with my transformer? The chart below will tell you the correct size cable to use, depending on the transformer wattage. It is always ok to use a larger cable which is designated by smaller gauge numbers. Transformer Wattage Minimum Cable Gauge 217-300 12 157-216 14 121-156 16 0-120 18 WARNING: Risk of fire. Do not use cables smaller than indicated in this chart. Can more than one run be attached to my power pack? Yes, only two separate runs are recommended. Both runs attach under A and B terminals and may not exceed the total power pack wattage rating. (With the exception of submersible light runs, and ML88E power packs.) Can power packs be installed indoors? No. Powerpacks are listed as outdoor products only by Underwriter Laboratories and the Canadian Standards Association. Can you connect a transformer to an electrical outlet with an extension cord? No, it is not recommended. How close can I install low voltage lighting fixtures to my swimming pool? For maximum safety, the lights and cable are UL approved to be installed not less than ten feet from the edge of the pool. The power pack must be equipped with a ground shield. Your power pack has a ground shield if the model number ends with the letters TW. Is there a positive or negative in the wires or cable? There is no polarity in the wires or cable unless you loop it to the transformer wich is not necessary. What is the maximum length of cable I can attach to my transformer? There is no maximum cable length, however, longer runs of cable can result in lower light output near the end of the cable. Therefore, you should use heavier cable or shorter runs to ensure maximum light output. Most important, you must never use cable that is smaller than that listed in the table for your transformer. See the following question for additional information. What does the statement "First fixture must be 10 feet from power pack" mean and why? You must have at least 10 feet of cable between the first fixture and the power pack to avoid premature bulb burn-out. The cable may be buried, coiling is not recommended. Can you mix different wattage fixtures on the same cable run and transformer (e.g., 14-watt floodlights with 18-watt entrance light fixtures)? To mix different wattage fixtures, add up the total wattage of the lamps. As long as their total wattage does not exceed the output of the transformer, you can mix and match lights. What do I do with the bare wire at the end of the cable? If cable is left over once you`ve installed all of your lights, cut it and bury it. The cable is harmless and there is no threat of electrical shock. If there is any possibility that the end of the cable will touch metal, seal it with a piece of electrical tape to avoid shorting out the system. My transformer does not have a timer or manual ON/OFF switch which is stated on my instruction sheet. Can you send me one? This is a Value Series Kit which has a kit model number ending in "P". This kit is a dusk to dawn system with no timer function or manual ON/OFF switch included. Low Voltage Lighting Maintenance and Repair: My transformer timer dial does not rotate. The lights come on manually just fine. What is wrong? This is a defective power pack. To make a warranty claim please visit the Warranty section of MalibuLights.com. Parts are damaged and/or missing from my newly purchased Malibu Kit. What can I do? Please visit our Warranty section of MalibuLights.com and follow the steps to create a warranty order. Do I need my sales receipt for warranty coverage? A copy of the sales receipt is required on all warranty issues. Retain your receipt for the duration of the warranty period. Other: Looking for replacement parts for Malibu Lights? Looking for replacement stakes, batteries, LED’s or other Malibu parts or accessories? Visit the Parts section of MalibuLights.com. Is lower light output considered a disadvantage? The lights are usually not as bright as most other forms of outdoor landscape lighting. Some people feel that this is a disadvantage, however, others welcome the softer more subtle light output that these fixtures were specifically designed for. Can you mix different wattage fixtures on the same cable run and transformer (e.g., 14-watt floodlights with 18-watt entrance light fixtures)? Yes. To mix different wattage fixtures, add up the total wattage of the lamps. As long as their total wattage does not exceed the output of the transformer, you can mix and match lights. What gauge cable should I use with my transformer? The chart below will tell you the correct size cable to use, depending on the transformer wattage. It is always ok to use a larger cable which is designated by smaller gauge numbers. Transformer Wattage Minimum Cable Gauge 217-300 12 157-216 14 121-156 16 0-120 18 WARNING: Risk of fire. Do not use cables smaller than indicated in this chart. Do I need my sales receipt for warranty coverage? A copy of the sales receipt is required on all warranty issues. Retain your receipt for the duration of the warranty period. Do I need a transformer to use my Malibu Low Voltage Lighting? Yes, Malibu Low Voltage Lighting requires a transformer. Malibu Low Voltage transformers are safe and economical. Your Malibu Low Voltage Lighting is not designed for use with 120v power. Do not plug your lighting directly into a 120v receptacle. Use only with Malibu Low Voltage Outdoor Power Packs. WARNING: Risk of fire or electrical shock if used with 120v Power. Can more than one run be attached to my power pack? Yes, only two separate runs are recommended. Both runs attach under A and B terminals and may not exceed the total power pack wattage rating. (With the exception of submersible light runs, and ML88E power packs.) What is the maximum length of cable I can attach to my transformer? There is no maximum cable length, however, longer runs of cable can result in lower light output near the end of the cable. Therefore, you should use heavier cable or shorter runs to ensure maximum light output. Most important, you must never use cable that is smaller than that listed in the table for your transformer. See the following question for additional information. Is lower light output considered a disadvantage? The lights are usually not as bright as most other forms of outdoor landscape lighting. Some people feel that this is a disadvantage, however, others welcome the softer more subtle light output that these fixtures were specifically designed for.

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