Portfolio Indoor Lighting Instruction Manual
Transformer Instructions 'Quick Start' Requirements. The transformer must be plugged into a GFCI (ground-fault circuit-interrupter) circuit (either a GFCI receptacle or GFCI breaker at the circuit panel). Do not use extension cords with transformers. Transformer must be mounted in a vertical position. Bottom of the transformer must be at least 12' from the ground.
Transformer may become hot; do not mount on vinyl. On the secondary side (low voltage taps) of the transformer, each circuit has its own magnetic circuit breaker (toggle switch) that is connected to a Common Tap (marked with a label, 'COM'). These Common Taps can accommodate up to 300W (25A).
The exception to that is when the transformer capacity is less than 300W; in that case, the capacity will be equal to the transformer capacity. Even though the capacity of each Common Tap is 300W (or transformer capacity if less than 300W), the National Electric Code specifies that a circuit can only be loaded up to 80% of its maximum. That means that the working capacity is 240W (or 80% of the transformer capacity is smaller than 300W).
Furthermore, it is important to account for loss of current through the wire, which reduces the capacity by an additional 10%. This means that the true optimal working capacity of a transformer is about 70% of the transformer's total capacity. Generally, it is a good practice to connect each of your home run lines directly to the transformer, spreading them evenly among the available commons. Ideally, if two or more home run wires share a voltage tap, then connect them to the same common. Connecting lighting runs to the transformer: The home run cable (e.g. 10/2 or 12/2) has two wires.
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One wire gets connected to the Common Terminal (labeled 'COM'), the other wire connects to a Voltage Terminal (the colored labels that say 12, 13, 14, etc). The correct Voltage Terminal is the one that results in an optimal voltage at the fixtures connected to that run. This is a Multi-Tap transformer, which means you can output at a variety of voltages to compensate for (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. 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.
Test assessment guide. To connect a home run wire to the terminals, split the paired wire down the middle to separate the two wires and strip half an inch of insulation off each wire. One end goes to 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: Low voltage wire does not have polarity, it does not matter which of the two wire connects to the Common Terminal and which to the Voltage Terminal, as long as one wire goes to each.
Optional timers and photocells plug right into the transformer ports labeled and located inside the cabinet. 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. First check that there is power at the GFI outlet. Do not assume there is power.
Check it with a and make sure there is 120v AC. 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.
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). 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. 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 holds the cable (on the underneath side of the outdoor transformer).
Portfolio Indoor Lighting Instruction Manual Download Pdf
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.
. You asked and we answered! Get answers to some of the most common outdoor solar light questions. Where is the best place to display my outdoor solar lights? Outdoor solar lights need direct sunlight to receive a full charge during the day. At night, the solar outdoor lights will need the darkest area of the yard, away from any light source such as a street light or outdoor wall light.
How long will solar lights run? The more sunlight the outdoor solar light receives during the day, the longer the run time at night. As most operating times may vary, the average outdoor solar light will stay illuminated for up to 15 hours.
What affects outdoor solar lights runtime? Usually, outdoor solar lights will perform better during the summer months because the days are longer, which gives the light more electricity. Cloudy days and short winter days will reduce the amount of electricity the solar lights will receive, so the lights may not stay on as long. What are the advantages of outdoor solar lighting? Outdoor solar lights are very easy to install, usually with just a screwdriver.
Since you don’t have to worry about where your power source is, you can set up outdoor solar lights just about anywhere there is ample light during the day and darkness at night. There is no wiring to hook up and no special lighting parts to purchase.
Solar outdoor lights are also environmentally-friendly since they require no external power supply and they cost nothing to run since they require no electricity. Does the weather affect my outdoor solar lights? Since the outdoor solar lights require direct sunlight to charge, cloudy days will inhibit the solar light from receiving a full charge. Most of the casings on outdoor solar lights are designed to be weather-resistant. Can I use my outdoor solar lights in the winter? If you live in a moderate winter climate that receives very little rain, such as California or Arizona, you can leave your outdoor solar lights out all year long. However, if you live in an area that gets rain or snow, you should store your outdoor solar lights during these months.
When storing the solar outdoor lights, make sure the on/off switch is in the off position and the solar lights are stored in a dark, dry location. How do I charge my outdoor solar light’s battery? The batteries on the outdoor solar lights charge via sunlight, so no special battery charger is required. Read the instructions that come with your outdoor solar light to see how to charge the battery upon initial set up (usually the outdoor solar light will need to be set up outdoors and left in the off position for 3 days before use).
How do I install Outdoor Solar Lights? It takes just a couple of minutes to install outdoor solar lights. Since solar outdoor lights require no wiring, no power source or no digging, installing them is as easy as removing them from the packaging, setting up the solar panel and placing the solar light where you want it. Generally, the only tool that is needed to install outdoor solar lights is a screwdriver. Why is there an on/off switch on my outdoor solar lights?
Outdoor solar lights come with an on/off switch so you can control when you want your solar light to turn on. If you want the outdoor solar light to continue to work all day every day, you can simply leave the on/off switch in the on position. If you want to charge the outdoor solar light and use the light at a later time (such as a weekend party), you can turn the on/off switch to off until you are ready to use it. When the switch is in the off position, the light will continue to receive electricity from the sun and store it for later use. My outdoor solar light was charged all day but doesn’t come on at night. What is wrong? First, check to make sure the on/off switch is in the on position.
Second, make sure another light source isn’t preventing the light from turning it on. Move your outdoor solar light to a darker location and see if the light comes on. If it still doesn’t illuminate, check to make sure the batteries are fully charged. Move the solar panel to another spot during the day to see if it will receive more sunlight. Note: The batteries included with your solar charging panel will need to be replaced when their charging ability is decreased.
They should be replaced approximately every two years. For more information on solar lights, see our other solar lighting articles: and. Hi Barbara, In most cases, turning off your solar light only controls if the light is off and on and should not affect the amount of brightness at night.
You might want to make sure the solar panel is located in a full-sun area so the battery gets completely charged during the day. And, depending on where you live, you might not be getting enough sun for the solar panel to charge – with Summer just around the corning, that should change. Our outdoor owls are not solar powered, but you can probably contact the company where you bought the owl solar light and they can give you more information on your particular solar light.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks for your comment! Solar lighted items will work indoors/behind windows, but the output of light and power will be reduced compared to being outdoors in direct sunlight. If you live in a sunny area, the solar lantern may work well, but it’s hard to say what the reduced output brightness/time would be if the lantern is inside a cupola.
Because glass used in windows creates a barrier between the sun and the panel. And since some of the light is reflected, a certain amount of power may be lost. For optimal performance, leave solar lanterns outside where they can receive the proper amount of direct sunlight. However, they may still work inside a cupola but may not do so for as long as you’d like and will not shine as brightly as you may expect. Hope this helps!.
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