Why does my outdoor lighting system turn on every night for about half a second and then turn off?

Question

I have an outdoor lighting system for my front walkway. It is powered by a Malibu ML200RT Low Voltage Transformer. When the transformer is plugged in, and the timer turns the system on, all the lights turn on for about half a second and then they turn off the whole night until the next day, when the processes repeats.

I opened up the Malibu transformer and it was filled with water. So, I kept it open for a few days to let it dry. It's now been dry inside my house for over 10 days. However, I still have the same problem. The lights will turn on briefly and then off, I can't get it to repeat until the next day. What's odd is that the Malibu's internal timer keeps working. I'm assuming the Malibu transformer is the problem since it was filled with water. However, who knows? It's worked fine for about three years or so.

One other detail, the lights on the walk way are Malibu 11 watt CS14P lights. There are 10 of them.

Can I fix the transformer or do I have to buy a new one?

Answer 1

with out testing it my guess is there is more wrong then the transformer. a transformer is wires rapped around a core. if it was bad you should get nothing. the motor on the timer is good that's why it works. however, just because the timer turns doesn't mean the electricity is going through it. you may find it would be cheaper to replace it rather than to buy the parts to repair it, if you can even find any. some where there must be some electronic components that are damaged. although the challenge to fix it is compelling, i think you will be happier in the long run if you replace it. lots of luck. p.s. if it were me i would replace it and take the challenge of trying to repair the old one, just for personal satisfaction.

Answer 2

It's pretty simple circuit. A transformer and a switch. Use a voltmeter and see if you are getting the voltage out of the transformer. It could be that the contacts on the switch are carboned over and not making good contact.

Over the years, I have had problems with the plastic gears on the timer. The little idler gear will wear and not trip the contact and stop the wheel from rotating just at the trip point. I have found that the malibu timers have the same gear, so instead of buying a new transformer, I buy as cheap a timer as I can and take it apart and use the gear in my old timer and it works for another several years. Good luck

Answer 3

I don't think its the transformer. It sounds like the test switch in test position, if there is one, or a reset of some sort keeps it off.

When I lived up north and worked as an electrician, we used to dry out flooded motors and transformers by placing them in an oven set at 200 degrees F for about 1 hour. So, if you still think it might be that, try it.

Answer 4

You have some good answers above. One thing I would like to mention, is check and see if you have a photo cell. A photo cell turns the lights on/off with the amount of light, so that they come on when dark and go off when it is light. They are wired in series with the timer. The photo cell should be mounted outside, facing north. Make sure it is clean, and that there are no lights close by shining at it.