Submersible Lights

Maybe this isn't the right forum, but I figured this is the most likely
place to get an answer. I have a submersible low voltage light. My
transformer fried last fall (basically, where the wires connect, it
melted). I was looking at new transformers. Ones that say "for use with
submersible light" are noticibly higher wattage than I need (I only
have 60 watts of lights total) and are noticably more expensive. Do
you need a transformer that is specifically made to handle submersible
lights? The last one wasn't and lasted around 2 years. I don't know
if that had anything to do with it frying.

Normally the xformers made for use wirth submersible lighting have a
different internal circuit in case of voltage stray or
leakage.........they are supposed to interupt flow much like a GFCI
circuit does, but you would be surprised how many regular low voltage
xformers are used for submemrsible lights just the same..Its your
call, probably would be safe but there is always that one time, its
your fish your life..........to me its certainly not worth the risk. I
can't say the above is true for all xformers but the btter ones are
made this way......other than that, wattage is wattage, so if you have
60 watts total and the runs are not overly long you can get by on a
reg low voltage xformer. Another thing the wires are not the greatest
and may suffer from wicking or even voltage leak, of such a minimal
amount it would not be a problem, due to the wires insulation, and
these small stray leaks will reduce power available.........its almost
a given "nothing" is 100% water tight like in ther case of the lights
and wires. The leaks also put more of a load on the xformer which
can reduce its life as well. Home Depot has a Hampton Bay brand 300
watt with hi / low boost leg, and looping capability and while its not
stated on the box per se as approved for underwater light use, it has
all the proper circuitry inside, and costs less than $50.00. I called
their tech support looking for answers, and they told me on three
occassions they were fine for submersible light use....take that for
what its worth.....as nothing was given in writing.

On 18 Feb 2005 13:23:11 -0800, "Mike C"
wrote:

===Maybe this isn't the right forum, but I figured this is the most likely
===place to get an answer. I have a submersible low voltage light. My
===transformer fried last fall (basically, where the wires connect, it
===melted). I was looking at new transformers. Ones that say "for use with
===submersible light" are noticibly higher wattage than I need (I only
===have 60 watts of lights total) and are noticably more expensive. Do
===you need a transformer that is specifically made to handle submersible
===lights? The last one wasn't and lasted around 2 years. I don't know
===if that had anything to do with it frying.


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