AC or DC from transformer?

[hoagy]

I bought an el-cheapo "Manor House" 500 watt transformer and am confused because it is putting out 12v DC. I would expect AC. Is this typical of the industry?

[malibulance]

Most landscape lighting power packs are AC because they use magnetic transformers to step the voltage down. The Manor House is not a magnetic transformer power pack, but a solid state supply. Hence the DC output. Note that DC circuits can promote corrosion of contacts. By the way, the Hampton Bay power packs I have seen mentioned in this forum are not magnetic transformers either, but solid state switching mode supplies. Smaller, lighter, less expensive (use much less copper) than transformers, but tend to be electrically noisy.