"Hi tech" transformer

[michael melgar]

There is a 900 watt transformer ( TV900W) made by Hitech landsacpe lighting ( http://www.landscape-lighting.net ). Does anyone have any info on this product. It seems like a good buy. Thanks

[sitelights]

The TV900 "Hi-Tech" is an MDL product. Very few low voltage lighting equipment companies have proprietary (their own manufacture) transformers. The TV900 shown on the landscape-lighting.net site is actually an MDL 600w (2 X 300w) unit; if you click back and forth on the 900 and 600 you will note that it is the same image. The 900w has a third set of terminals and an additional circuit breaker for the secondary. The list price quoted is inflated to make their "sale" price look like a good deal. I bought a 600w from them a few years ago when my normal supplier was out-of-stock and I think the shipping (FL-PA) was another $25.00

The MDL 600w unit is our transformer of choice and we purchase it with a Grasslin digital timer in place of the mechanical timer. Search "Grasslin" for details.

All MDLs are built to the same high standard and there is a range of secondary outputs available. The 12-15v multiple 300w units are UL1838 compliant. Browse through the "transformer" forum for more information.

I can think of only few companies supplying a broad line of luminaires that also make their own transformers: Unique, Loran (Nightscaping) and Lion come to mind. Most of the major luminaire brands (Hadco, Kichler, Focus, Vista, B-K) source private label units from a few real transformer companies such as MDL and Acme. There are many other luminaire and transformer companies not mentioned in this post; I have just skimmed the top.

[michael melgar]

Thanks for the info, but now I'm a little confused. I contacted Hi-tech about their 900W transformer, and they claim it IS a true 900W model ( 3X300W). Could they have changed the model since you last delt with them? Thanks

[sitelights]

Perhaps I was unclear on this point but I stated that the 900w was not illustrated. The image on the 900w page is actually an image of the 600w. The actual 900w unit is not shown on their web site. The 900w unit is "special order" so they may not have had a 900w unit image to put on the 900w page. In any case, if you order a 900w unit it is not going to be exactly like the image on their site; it will look like what I described in my post. This dialog stems from their erroneous illustration which I have attempted (unsuccessfuly) to correct. They may not even know that they have made a mistake. I have sent an email to them alerting them to this error.

[JOHNTHUNDER]

The 900w transformer has a 600w picture on it. What you need to see is their catalog, it has much more product and information. They also carry the grasslin timer that was mentioned. To get that, you must purchase a "pluggable" black or stainless steel transformer. Pluggable means you can add a timer and/or photo cell if you want to. There are specific plugs for that. Their website hasn't been updated or corrected in a while. Instead, they've focused on the catalog. Their transformers are in fact MDL's.

[sitelights]

To avoid any confusion on the matter of the Grasslin Digi 42 replacement for the Grasslin mechanical timer one must use the correct nomenclature. The term "plug-in" or "pluggable" is used to describe the type of timer that has two prongs on the back and plugs into the receptacle on the face of the transformer. (The removed cord/plug is then plugged into the timer hence the term.) The Grasslin Digi series electronic timers are not "plug-in" devices in that sense; they are equiped with "Quick Connect" spade lug terminals on their bottom inside edge. The "pluggable" type transformer also has a fitting (with a jumper wire) that will accept an add-on photocontrol; an MDL transformer with a built-in mechanical clock comes with a button or finger type photocontrol hardwired at the factory.

To convert from a mechanical Grasslin to a digital Grasslin the transformer must be configured for recessed mounting of the timer in a circular opening on the face of the wiring compartment of the transformer. When the mechanical Grasslin is removed it is unbolted and the right-angle spade lugs are slipped off of the terminals. The digital timer is connected to the spade-lugged wires by pushing them onto the same terminals as they were on the mechanical timer. A needle-nose pliers will make the switch easier since you cannot pull or push on the wires but must grip the right-angle plastic lug covers instead. The wires are color-coded and it should be noted which goes where.

The Grasslin digital conversion can be made on any transformer that has the flush mounted circular Grasslin mechanical timer. I have seen the Grasslin mechanical on some older transformers labeled Hadco, Focus, Nightscaping and others. These mechanical timers can be replaced as above.

Grasslin also makes a Digi 12 that looks identical to the Digi 42. The 12 does not have automatic DST compensation and to my mind it is not worth the time or expense to convert to the 12.

Details on the complete Grasslin line can be accessed at grasslin.com where PDF spec sheets can be downloaded.

[SamIV]

If you email the Hi-Tech address and ask for a catalog the catalog comes under the name Garden Light. As JOHNTHUNDER mentioned, much more product in the catalog. Anyone out there use any of their products on a regular basis.

Thanks,
SamIV