Top 20 Intermatic Malibu 121W Power Pack Transformer ML121RT Questions & Answers

Attach photograph so product and wiring can be identified http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html Gene If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Copy following link to help identify timer:http://waterheatertimer.org/Woods-timers-and-manuals.html#outdoorI test timers.Commercial grade timers last many years.Noma is a brand name apparently used by many different manufacturer's to package products, and might be the 2nd line timer from Woods.Don't expect timer to last more than year or two... maybe 6 months.Copy following link for general troubleshoot if you have timers fail frequently, it might be electrical problem:http://waterheatertimer.org/Woods-timers-and-manuals.html#troubleshootOpen links above, then add a comment and say which timer you have and what specific problem is encountered If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Check if trippers are worn.Check if dial rotates and keeps good time.Plug transformer into cheap wall timer.Copy following link for trippers, 5-year warranty info, tips to make power pack last longer, and other troubleshoot resources:http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Something happened to the unit.Good news is that lights are still ON.Might be power surge. Or extra wire wrapped around transformer.Clean up terminal with sandpaper.If clock motor does not rotate, but lights are ON, then plug power pack into cheap wall timer.Copy following link and read tips for getting power pack to last longer. One of these reasons may apply to problem. Plus view warranty, and replacement trippers.http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Power pack wattage has to match bulb wattage, or it shortens life of power pack.
I don't know physics and electrical engineering enough to know why this happens.
Also when working on bulbs, manual says to unplug power pack so it doesn't burn up.
If bulb is under water that's fine, but wiring cannot be underwater where it shorts out, or suspect this action might also shorten life of power pack.
With receipt, power pack could still be under warranty.

Open following link for power pack resources, and links:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

If clock motor does not rotate, then some people report taking it apart and cleaning gears.
The PB912M10 timer clock motor is not sold separately. Aug 2010.
If power pack transformer still works: buy cheap plug-in timer, set power pack to override, and plug power pack into cheap timer.
With receipt, power pack might still be under warranty.
Open following link for power pack tips and resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

'Harry' wrote me Nov 2010 and said his power pack has 5 year warranty and quit after 4 years.
He said he was 'in negotiations' with Malibulights.com
http://malibulights.com/home.aspx
http://malibulights.com/customer_service.aspx

I asked him to let me know what happens, but no report yet.
Same for you please: Add a comment and let me know what Malibu says so information is available for all Malibu owners and fixya supporters.

'Harry' also gave me a tip.
He said Malibu timer stopped working on his power pack, so he bought ordinary plug-in timer, and set Malibu override to ON, and plugged power pack into timer.

While researching Malibu problems, I assembled some power pack tips.
The reason I add these tips now, before your power pack needs replacement is some fella wrote-in.
He bought 500 Watt power pack to replace 300 Watt > thinking bigger was better.
Power pack burned out. Here's why:
1) Match wattage of bulbs with wattage of power pack
-15 each X 20 watt bulbs = 300 watts, so install 300Watt power pack
2) Installing a 500W power pack on 300W of bulbs will burn out bulbs and power pack.
3) Replace bulbs as soon as they burn out or other bulbs will burn out and power pack will burn out.
4) When working on bulbs, unplug power pack or it may burn out.
http://www.malibulights.com/guides_support/low_voltage_planning_guide/select_your_power_pack

If you have a volt meter, check the voltage, I believe it is supposed to be 12 volts.
Are your bulbs the proper voltage rating, that is 12 volts.
Do you have enough bulbs connected to the transformer, connected load should be close to 121 watts when you add up all your bulb wattages.
Don't confuse volts with watts. The transformer reduces voltage to 12 volts, but the wattage of the transformer is 121 watts. Each bulb must be 12 volts but wattage (brightness) can vary depending on the fixture from maybe 7 watts to over 50 watts.

Unfortunately when the power pack stops working there is no solution.
Your power pack has electricity so that is not the problem.
The bulbs turn on, so the bulbs are ok.
That means the power pack has malfunctioned, and needs to be replaced.

I did find some tips to help folks preserve their power packs:
1) Match wattage of bulbs with wattage of power pack
-15 each X 20 watt bulbs = 300 watts, so install 300Watt power pack
2) Installing a 500W power pack on 300W of bulbs will burn out bulbs and power pack.
3) Replace bulbs as soon as they burn out or other bulbs will burn out and power pack will burn out.
4) When working on bulbs, unplug power pack or it may burn out.
http://www.malibulights.com/guides_support/low_voltage_planning_guide/select_your_power_pack

(888) 295-7348 This is their customer service number.
Good Luck,
Gary

Power packs wear out

Usually people have old power pack and then remove all the bulbs while replacing and doing maintenance, and the old power pack burns up because it has no load. Unplug power pack when replacing all the bulbs, and keep burned-out bulbs replaced

In your case, the plastic gears have gotten dirty over time. Gears are probably worn. Un-plug power pack and spray WD-40 in and around plastic dial. Turn dial to see if it gets better.

Malibu website
http://www.malibulights.com/home.aspx

Malibu manuals
http://www.malibulights.com/customer_service/owners_manuals.aspx


Select power pack
http://www.malibulights.com/guides_support/low_voltage_planning_guide/select_your_power_pack.aspx

Power pack should match total wattage of bulbs

10 - 20 watt bubs = 200 Watt power pack

10 - 15 watt bulbs = 300 Watt power pack

if they do not turn on your timer is probally shot

ML121 does not have reset.
If transformer does not produce 12 volts across terminals A and B, then power pack has gone bad.

If override still works, then might be easiest to buy cheap plug-in timer, set power pack to override, and then plug power pack into cheap timer.

With receipt, power pack might still be under warranty.

Open following link for power pack resources, and links:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

See size and length chart:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Malibu-cable-lengths-300.jpg
Open following link for power pack tips and resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

Replacement timer module is not sold.

Might be easiest to buy cheap plug-in timer, set power pack to override, and then plug power pack into cheap timer.

With receipt, power pack might still be under warranty.

Open following link for power pack resources, and links:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

There are no replacement timer modules.

Easiest solution might be to buy cheap plug-in timer, set power pack to override, then plug power pack into cheap timer.

Open following link for resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

The PB912M10 timer clock motor is not sold separately. Aug 2010.
If power pack transformer still works: buy cheap plug-in timer, set power pack to override, and plug power pack into cheap timer.
With receipt, power pack might still be under warranty.
Open following link for power pack tips and resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

this could be a fix or just a way to find out if its bad or not. check to see if the wheel is in the neutral position, some of them u pull out to disengage from the motor and gears so u can turn it manually. if this is the case then just put it back in gear.

if thats not the problem then i would think that the motor is burned up that is turning it. if the motor works and the wheel doesn't turn then the gears r probly stripped.

The PB912M10 timer clock motor is not sold separately. Aug 2010.
If power pack transformer still works: buy cheap plug-in timer, set power pack to override, and plug power pack into cheap timer.
If transformer no longer works, then it is not repairable.
With receipt, power pack might still be under warranty.
Open following link for power pack tips and resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Malibu-power-pack-stopped-working.html

Go back to where the lights are working, Then inspect the cable leaving that point. You must have a bad spot somewhere after that point killing the voltage. If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/craig_3fa289bf857b1a3c