Customer Reviews

Intermatic ML600TW Low Voltage 600-Watt Power Pack

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are, this will do it. I've had one of these units running for almost nine years. The clock timer broke fairly soon after purchase, which has been mentioned in a number of other reviews. Timer reliability seems to be a global issue with Malibu Power Packs. I just left the Power Pack on and put a light-sensitive timer between the wall outlet and the transformer...the lights now turn on for four hours at dusk.

One note about planning your light wiring. This power pack has two 300 watt outputs, not one 600 watt output. (The 900 watt power pack has three 300 watt outputs) To load the sections of the transformer equally, you should split your yard wiring into two roughly equal wattage strings of lights. 300 watts at 12 volts is 25 amps. That's a lot of current to push down even 12 gauge wire. If you're planning on loading it that heavily, either use 10 gauge wire or split the lights into four equal wattage strings, with two connected to each output.

Here's something to consider - Rather than being single-handily responsible for global warming, you can purchase LED lights that fit into the Malibu fixtures. They burn a lot less energy. (Pair LED bulbs Landscape fixtures Malibu, 9LED Wedge type, T15/T4 12V, White is one example, but there are much brighter ones available) The Warm White LEDs (3000-3500K) have roughly the same color of light as the regular Malibu lights. The ones that I bought for $5 each are not quite as bright as the incandescent lights, but swapping those out dropped my power consumption from 300 watts (1.8 KWH for 6 hours) to roughly 35 watts. At the local electricity rates, that's saving almost $0.70/night...$20/month. You can obviously mix the regular bulbs and LEDs if you need some areas lit with more light than the LEDs can provide. And, if you go this route, you can buy a much smaller transformer than this beast. Just something to consider...

Unit is a standard power-pack and this was a great price, better than what I found on ebay. Appreciated the quick delivery.

I've had mine for one year and so far it works great, low price and its solid and heavy, so i know there is alot of copper inside. It does do a slight humming sound, but since its outside, that's not a problem, i don't hear it indoors.

This model worked fine using the on/off tags. but I need it to work with the photo sensors. It's supposed to work with the sensors. I say supposed to because I haven't been able to get them to work yet. I installed the sensors as per their instructions and my yard lights are either on 24 hrs/day or off 24 hrs/day.

One reviewer said he just set the manual override switch to on-(it's about 1/8 inch in diameter, located near the timer dial, and has no visible markings on it.)..then inserted his own photo sensor. I'm almost at that point myself, but I'll try their equipment a few more times.

Since I really need it to work with the photo sensors I have to say I'm very disappointed in the product.

Other downsides:

1. The bulbs fail way too often; I have about 20 lights and a bulb dies about every 6 weeks.
2. The bulbs Malibu sells are not "green", no LED options. I know one user said he found another source, but the point is that Malibu isn't going green here and I don't have the time to go hunting around for other solutions.

I would definitely NOT recommend this to a friend, especially given the fact that we're all try to cut our energy usage here. I'd recommend that they just install regular outdoor fixture and put in fluorescent bulbs. It would be less expensive and less hassle.

Mine went out within one year of purchase. Make sure you save your receipt as you will need it for the warranty.

I retract this statement. My outdoor outlet blew out therefore the timer did not work. I did not realize this until buying a new timer. The product works as designed and is trouble-free.