I have a 120watt 12v outdoor lighting transformer portfolio brand from Lowe's I'm having a issue as soon as the lights come on the transformer gives me a E code and all lights go off Help!!!

150 Watt Transformer TDC Power DA-150-12W-1 - eBay

www.ebay.com > ... > Outdoor Lighting > Walkway & Path Lights

eBay150 Watt Transformer TDC Power DA-150-12W-1 in Home & Garden, Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living, Outdoor Lighting, Walkway & Path Lights ' eBay.

New Free SHIP TDC Power Da 150 12W 1 Low ... - eBay

www.ebay.com > ... > Outdoor Lighting > Other Outdoor Lighting

eBayNew, Free Ship, TDC Power DA-150-12W-1 Low Voltage Transformer, 12v 150watt Max in Home & Garden, Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living, Outdoor Lighting ...

[PDF]SECTION H - Etlin

www.etlin.com/pdfs/Outdoor_Transformers.pdf

1-800-661-9610 (Canada) 1-888-762-5384 (USA). OUTDOOR LOW ... DA-XX-12WSeries - 60 to 150VA Small Case Low Voltage Outdoor Transformers.

Da-150-12w-1 Manual ' downloadthingsfast.com

as described the voltage you are seeing is fake. if there is no led lighting in the indoor unit check the small transformer in the indoor unit you should get 12V DC or 24V DC out from it

Depends on Brand. Some have 5 year warranty (Intermatic) while most have 1 year warranty
And how you maintain unit.
And if you get power surge etc
Copy following link for tips keeping power pack lasting longer:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html
Add a comment

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Intermatic/ Malibu series lights are available 44 watt, 88 watt, 100 watt, 121 watt, 200 watt, 300 watt, 600 watt, 900 watt.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

None of the other brands sells 500 watt either.
Kichler sells 300 and 600 and 900Watts
Paradise does not have 500 watt
Malibu brand does not carry 500 watt
Portfolio does not carry 500 watt

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Your issue is that the dimmer is not rated to handle the type of fixture/lamps its controlling.

From a lighting control standpoint, the 12V-lamps classify as "low-voltage halogen" and, somewhere in that circuit, have a transformer(s) converting the 120V~ down to 12V~. Using incandescent dimmers (like the one you are using) can cause compatibility issues with those transformers. What I suspect is happening is that the incompatibily is either throwing voltage spikes or current spikes on the line which are causing the dimmer to enter some sort of "safety" mode to shut everything down before any problems occur.

My recommendation is to first figure out what type of transformer it is: Either magnetic low-voltage, or electronic low-voltage. Ideally you would contact the transformer manufacturer (or look up their specs online) to figure that out. Other rules of thumb: if the transformer's big & bulky, it's probably magnetic - conversely if its lightweight, it's probably electronic. If its only one transformer controlling all of the lamps together, it's probably magnetic - conversely if its one of those transformers where the transformer and light bulb come togheter as one assembled unit and then snap into the track, it's probably electronic.

Then make sure the dimmer is rated for magnetic low-voltage, or electronic low-voltage (depending upon what the transformer is).

Hi, to isolate the faulty transformer, one need to obtain a Multimeter and set it to Volts AC, then going to the Output of each transformer & see if there is the required 12V there. The one that's NOT providing an output is the faulty one.
In these setups you are correct there is little else it can be. However check at the connections to the lights also, see if there is Voltage there too.
A transformer will have the 120 V AC on the Primary, INPUT side, and 12 V AC on the Secondary OUTPUT side.
Try testing right on the transformers terminals. Also remove the "Load" too when making measurements as if there is a short etc, then that may give a false reading. Always measure Voltages first with NO load, then test again with the Load, they should both be the same, if NOT then you have a fault NOT in the transformer but elsewhere in the circuit.

it was a mistake to install them in first place, now, if your transformer blows, that meant that it is overloaded!

primary solutionto the problem, without adding cost of re-wiring will be change globes (50w) to these of lower wattage, say 40w or even less and this will protect transformers from blowing up.

another solution will be to what is load on the transformer, it must be at least 20% greater than combined light supported. if it is not, then duiring power fluctuation it can, and will be burn out.

say, you have 30 lights and 3 switches, this meant that you have three circuits of say 10 lights. 10lights x 50w = 500wat!!! that is rather large and costly transformer, to avoid this prohibitive cost, solve problem otherways, buy 120watt or 150watt transformer and wire two globes to each. this will provide margin as well as enough supply to support your light.

please bear in mind that you are legally not allowed to touch anything what is connected to mains except changing the globe! you need to speak with elelctrician and come to solution in cooperation with eleloctrician.

if you find this advice useful, please do not hesitate to leave comment and vote for me, thanx!

You might need to check the power source for proper voltage, sometimes outdoor wiring is at the mercy of the elements. Rusty screws on recepticles and so forth. Another problem could be exposed wire in the line bleeding of to ground. Sometimes this happens if a fixture is removed and the wire not properly protected. If these are none of your problems just take up your fixtures and replace the wire. 16 guage underground feed will probably be less expensive than the transformer you bought.

Faber # 508-358-5353