VOLT® Pro 600 Watt 12-22v Multi-Tap Transformer

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VOLT® 12-22v Landscape Lighting Transformers feature top-of-the-line internal and external components for professional results and commercial reliability. Truly the perfect solution for small to medium landscape lighting systems.

The extremely reliable, efficient, and quiet toroidal magnetic core lasts a lifetime. The transformer also runs cooler than conventional laminated magnetic types. The solid stainless steel body further ensures that this transformer will never corrode.

The 12 to 22 volt taps provide the ability to compensate for voltage loss.

Convenient stainless steel mounting bracket, removable door, and removable lower plate make installation an easy process. Timer and photocell receptacles allow your transformer to be fully programmed to turn your system on and off on your schedule.

Since wiring space is tight with some transformers, our VOLT® 12-22 Volt Multi-Tap Transformers feature approximately 35% more space that allows you to easily organize your incoming lines and make connections without hassle.

Easily one of the best low voltage transformers on the market. Don't settle on any lesser quality! Order your commercial-grade low voltage transformer today from VOLT®

Magnetic vs Electronic Transformers

Magnetic Transformers. These transformers use two coils, a primary coil and a secondary coil, to reduce the voltage from 120 volt down to 12 volts. The primary coil carries the line voltage (108 v to 132 v). The flow of electricity through the primary coil induces a magnetic field that creates a current in the secondary coil. Since the secondary coil has 10 times fewer windings, it creates a current with 10 times lower voltage.

Two Types. There are two types of magnetic landscape lighting transformers. These vary by the type of core: laminated/stacked cores (also know as EI type) or toroidal cores. Laminated or stacked windings have sheets wrapped in copper wire that are then stacked or laminated together to make a core. This is the more common, less expensive method for manufacturing a core. Toroidal cores are one solid unit shaped like a donut and have the windings wrapped around the donut, in and out of the donut hole. Toroidal cores are more efficient, experience less buzz, and run cooler but are more expensive to make.

The choice of whether or not to use a toroidal core also depends the system load. Systems with relatively high loads - such as lighting systems with 10 or more fixtures, benefit the most from toroidal cores; smaller systems - such as those with less than 50 watts of load, are served well with EI laminated types. This is why VOLT® sells its smallest transformer (75 watt capacity) with the less expensive EI core.

Electronic Transformers. This transformer type converts the 120 volt current to 12 volts by first increasing the frequency of the current (from 60 Hz to as high as 20,000 Hz). The increased frequency allows the use of a miniature core enabling the transformer to be very small, light, and inexpensive. The biggest downside is that their high frequency current may not be compatible with LED circuits. These currents also suffer from extensive voltage loss compared to magnetic types. A 12-volt electronic transformer must be positioned within about 10 ft. of the fixture. Electronic transformers are also subject to overheating and premature failure.

For all these reasons, VOLT® only uses electronic transformers for indoor lights such as under-cabinet and strip lighting.

Don't forget to order a timer or photocell for automatic operation of your VOLT® transformers.

BEST TRANSFORMER ON THE MARKET!

VOLT® Pro 600 Watt 12-22v Multi-Tap Transformer Features:

• Stainless steel case
• Cabinet Dimensions: 18" T x 10" W x 8" D (600W unit = 26lbs)
• Premium components, windings, primary and secondary circuits.
• Professional grade low voltage outdoor lighting transformer. Stainless steel cabinet. Weather proof door enclosure, stainless steel mounting bracket, separate circuit breaker toggle switches for each 300w zone.
• Low voltage transformer designed specifically for outdoor lighting and landscape lighting professionals.
• Multi-Tap Transformer (12 volt to 22 volts). Enables you to compensate for voltage drop -- even on extra long runs of over 250'!
• Ensures lights are all bright and even for professional results.
• Large ports enable 6+ cable home runs per each 300w circuit. (e.g. 6 home runs on a 300w transformer, 12 runs on a 600w, 18 runs on a 900w, 24 runs on a 1200w transformer!)
• Timer and photocell ready ports (timer and photocell not included).
• Toroid core--runs cooler, quieter, more efficient, lasts longer.
• Only draws as much electricity as needed to illuminate the bulbs you have -- e.g. a 1200w transformer will only draw 400w of power if you only have 400 watts of bulbs hooked to it. Guidelines suggest never loading the transformer to more than 80% of capacity (480 watts for this model).
• Built-in stainless steel mounting bracket.
• Includes a 5 1/2ft line voltage power supply cord. Not designed to be hardwired or for use with an extension cord, doing so will void any warranties.
• Top Mounting bracket 1 1/4" tall, 3 keyholes, bottom mounting bracket 5/8" tall, open keyhole
• E.g. 6 runs on a 300w, 12 runs on a 600w, 18 runs on a 900w, 24 runs on a 1200w transformer!
• Latest technology -- TOROIDAL CORE transformer
• Toroid core transformers are the best type of low voltage transformer you can buy. They are more efficient, reliable and last longer than the laminated magnetic transformers found on other brands
• Toroid cores also run cooler and quieter (no buzzing) than laminated magnetic core transformers.
• Warranty: Core & Housing - Lifetime | Other Electrical Components - 5 years

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Operating Temperatures:

The VOLT�® Toroidal Core Transformers run 10-20C cooler than laminated magnetic core transformers. They are more efficient, use less energy, last longer, and are more reliable. They are also approved for mounting indoors as well. Below is the normal operating temperatures of our transformers:

The VOLT® transformers are manufactured with thermal protection on the primary, they will automatically shut down when over-heated.

Transformer Instructions

Quick Start General:

1. The transformer plugs into an exterior GFI outlet. Do not use extension cords with transformers.
2. Each 300w circuit has its own circuit breaker (toggle switch) and Common (Black label that says COM). E.g. a 300w transformer has 1 COMMON TERMINAL, 600w transformers have 2 COMMON TERMINALS, 900w transformers have 3 COMMON TERMINALS, a 1200w transformer has 4 300w COMMON TERMINALS.
3. Use COMMON TERMINAL #1 until you begin to approach 300 watts of lamps used (for example when you reach 250-275 watts), then start using COMMON #2, and so on.
4. This 75W transformer is suitable for outdoor use only.

Connecting Home Runs to the transformer:

1. The home run cable (e.g. 10/2 or 12/2) has two wires. One wire gets connected to the COMMON TERMINAL (black label that says COM), the other wire connects to a VOLTAGE TERMINAL (the colored labels that say 12, 13,14, etc). Which VOLTAGE TERMINAL you connect that particular wire on depends on the voltage you need for that run. This is a MULTI-TAP transformer, which means you can output at a variety of voltages to compensate for VOLT DROP (see our learning area for more information on layouts and voltage drop). For example, if you have a long run of 100 feet you may need to use the 15v VOLTAGE TERMINAL in order to have 12v of power all the way out at the far away fixtures.
2. You can hook up multiple home runs to each and any of the terminals. For example you may have 6 home runs, in which case you would have 6 wires in the same COM terminal and the other half of the 10-2 wires go into the colored terminals. The VOLTAGE TERMINALS can have multiple runs/wires in each tap as well.
3. To connect a home run wire to the terminals, split the 10-2 or 12-2 wire down the middle to separate the two wires and strip half an inch of insulation off each wire. One end goes in the COM terminal, the other into a voltage terminal. Loosen the terminal screws (small flat head screw driver) and insert the wire into the terminal opening which is located at the bottom (90 degrees from the terminal screw facing the bottom of the transformer). Tighten screw to secure wire(s).

Other:

1. Low voltage wire does not have polarity, it does not matter which of the 2 wire connects to the COMMON TERMINAL and which to the VOLTAGE TERMINAL, as long as one wire goes to each.
2. Optional timers and photocells plug right into the transformer ports labeled and located inside the cabinet.
3. It is easier to see and insert the wires into their terminals when the transformer is lying on the ground. Affix all your wires BEFORE mounting the transformer.

VOLT Outdoor Lighting Transformer Troubleshooting

5 EASY STEPS

1. First check that there is power at the GFI outlet. Do not assume there is power. Check it with a Voltmeter and make sure there is ~120v AC.
2. If you have a timer please unplug/remove it. They are often a source of failure. Test the Timer Outlet inside the transformer cabinet with a Voltmeter. You should have 120v AC there as well. If you do, go ahead and plug the timer receptacle cord back into the timer receptacle outlet (the short cord inside the transformer cabinet needs to be plugged into the socket inside the cabinet) to complete the circuit or the transformer will not operate.
3. If you have a photocell installed, please remove it. Then put the jumper cable back into the photocell receptacle port to complete the circuit or the transformer will not operate. Be sure the jumper is pushed down tight. If you have a photocell in the transformer will not turn on when it is light out. Even if you cover up the photocell there is a delay (the photocell needs to be covered for about 1 minute before it will allow the transformer to turn on).
4. Make sure all the toggle switches are in the “ON” position (UP). The toggle switches are circuit breakers and can trip if there is a surge, overload or short. Sometimes the circuit breakers themselves can fail.
5. Now it’s time to test the secondary side (low voltage taps/ multi-tap). Do not use the screws facing forward to test for voltage, put a voltmeter in the “garage door style opening” that hold the cable (on the underneath side of the outdoor transformer). Put one voltmeter prong on the common, the other on a tap (eg 12v tap or 15v tap). You should read anywhere from 12v AC to 22V AC depending on which tap you are testing. If you do not get any voltage, remove any wires (home run wires) from the common and the taps you are testing and try again without any load.

If you are not getting voltage at any of these points:

1. The Timer Receptacle Outlet
2. The Secondary Side (low voltage Taps/Commons)

Then call Landscape Lighting World for further assistance (813) 978-3700 and let us know you have gone through the “5 Point Transformer Troubleshooting Checklist.”

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Low Voltage Transformer Warranty Information

Residential:
Stainless Steel Housing - Lifetime
Toroidal Core - Lifetime
Other Integrated Electrical Components - 5 Years
Non-Integrated Photo Cells, Digital Timers & Mechanical Timers - 1 Year

Commercial:
Stainless Steel Housing - Lifetime
Toroidal Core - Lifetime
Other Integrated Electrical Components - 5 Years
Non-Integrated Photo Cells, Digital Timers & Mechanical Timers - 1 Year