Intermatic ML121RT Low Voltage 121-Watt Power Pack with Timer, Black

After a dozen years or more I had to replace power pack for our Malibu lights. It was my own fault -- I had miscalculated the total wattage of lights on the line, and didn't realize my error until the previous Intermatic power pack burned out. I was way over the wattage limit for that unit but it held up for a long time. So I've separated the strings of low voltage lights into two separate circuits and purchased one 300-watt and one 121 watt power pack. I've come to trust the Intermatic brand of transformers and hope that the product line is still as good as it's been up until now. The power packs are mounted under our porch -- a location where photo-cell transformers simply wouldn't work. I like being able to set the on/off periods manually.

Intermatic, Inc. has produced these dependable power packs for many years and they are still the #1 'Tried and True' power packs for low voltage landscape lighting. They are easily identifiable by the white timer dial on the face. They are simple to set and they operate off of time-of-day rather than dusk-to-dawn. Intermatic manufactured these power packs with the Malibu brand name on them until circa 2010. Today, Intermatic still produces the same power packs, but with the Intermatic name on them and they still have the same great 5-year warranty.Don't be fooled by the Malibu name on power packs that have a built-in photo sensor, as these are the 'NEW' power packs made for Malibu in Taiwan and they only have a 1 year warranty. You will get what you pay for.

I bought and installed an ML121RT about a month ago, to replace an old version Intermatic timer that, in continuous nightly use, lasted 28 years (installed in 1985)!! I've noticed that this ML121RT unit does get very warm (almost hot) when my six 11-watt landscape lights are on (66 watts total AC load). However, I also noticed that the ML121RT is much cooler when the lights are off, that is, with the lights off the unit is only mildly warm to the touch. While a voltage may be continually on the transformer as the 'BroadTech' reviewer claims, without a load on (lights off) there is very little energy being consumed. My rough estimate, given the mildly luke-warm temperature of the unit with the lights off, is a power consumption of something like 2-3 watts. Given that the timer's dial face feels the warmest in this 'lights-off' mode, I suspect most, if not all, of that consumption is coming from the operation of the mechanical timer attached to the bottom of the dial.My 28 year old unit had an all metal case and built-in pins for setting the on/off times. The ML121RT has a plastic case and small plastic pins that come-off and therefore can easily be lost. It's a good idea to take extra care of these pins so not to damage or loose them. I see Amazon sells replacement pins, but at a HUGE markup. These pins likely cost only a few cents each to make, but cost $5 to $6 to replace.Given the premature failure other reviewers have experienced, and noting that direct sunlight, dust, heat, dampness, and rain can all contribute to shorter lifespan, I mounted this replacement in a location that avoids these environments. In fact, the same location of the 28 year-old unit.

This transformer is GREAT! After going through TWO Malibu digital transformers that were MAJOR headaches to set, did not work correctly (Especially the 'automatic' on/off photo eye) and any power interruption created the need to go through the torture of resetting... The Intermatic is an absolute JOY... Who would ever think a LVL timer could create any emotional reaction? Well, the Malibu created more than a little hostility in my life. Thankfully, that is behind me... this one takes seconds, yes, seconds to set... turn the dial to the current time...put in two plastic pins (one for on, one for off) and DONE!!! ... you can also put in four pins if you want two on-off times. WORKS PERFECTLY!!

This product would have been fine but was sent with two clips that turn the clock timer on and none that turn it off. Now the transformer and lights stay on continuously. I was on vacation when this showed up and it took another two months getting around to finding someone to put it on. Now my lights stay on continuously. All I need is the small plastic clip that turns the lights off on the clock cycle please. Instead of being told I can not return it. I do not want to return it, but it should have shown up functional in the first place. Even if it take a little bit of time to get it installed.Any help would be appreciate(1 small tiny black clock "off clip" please, that was supposed to come with the transformer).Just as you see in red on the picture except they would probably be black or the correct size for also turning the lights off. The transformer is getting hot.