Intermatic LX19720T Malibu Outdoor Lighting Kit with Fourteen Tier Lights, Six Floodlights plus 88-Watt Power Pack/Timer, Black
by Intermatic
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List Price: Category: Lighting See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Intermatic LX19720T Malibu Outdoor Lighting Kit with Fourteen Tier Lights, Six Floodlights plus 88-Watt Power Pack/Timer, Black
Customer Review: Big bang for the bucks
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered these to replace a group of Malibu solar accent lights - the batteries had frozen and swollen over a couple of winters. New batteries would have cost more than this set of lights.
The assembly required 2 hours. The most difficult part for me was snapping the skirts on the tier lights, but I've had carpal and ulnar tunnel surgery on both wrists. Installation was another 4 hours - I buried the cable between the lights a couple of inches below grade.
The parts are light-weight, but NOT flimsy. I had no trouble with breakage and the hinges on the floodlights are sturdy. These are made from tough plastic. The instructions are adequate. I tested the fixtures with an Ohm meter during assembly (approx 3.4 - 3.6 Ohms) and found that inserting the bulbs sometimes pushed the connector lead down into the socket causing an open circuit - be sure the bulb connector leads are fully seated in the sockets. All of the lights in the assortment work fine. The line connectors CAN be removed without damage, but the lights should be tested before attaching to the line (with an Ohm meter or a 12V source) to avoid the issue and possible wear/damage (I'm clumsy) Concerning esthetics: I don't believe anyone could tell black plastic lights from black metal lights at 6 feet away. They look just like the solar lights I replaced, and do look quite good in the dark :).
My assortment was missing a package of 5 bulbs and one of the bulbs in the kit was smashed. I called the automated broken/replacement parts number found in the instruction sheet with some trepidation. The replacement parts arrived in less than two weeks, no fuss, no muss!
At less than $2.50 a light (not to mention the transformer/timer) this is a great deal for anyone who enjoys assembling a kit.
Customer Review: Priced right, does the job.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have 2 - Malibu 10 light sets, with the same components, except that my power packs have a photocell for auto-on during night. These have served me well for 6 years. I did not consider solar powered lights because of cost, battery maintenance, low light level, and inability stay lit for an entire night. Theft of expensive individual solar units could also be a consideration. The plastic construction is quite rugged, retains it's original appearance without rust or oxidation problems, and is paintable. Contrary to another review, the cable connector clips can be removed and reattached with 2 small screwdrivers. The length of the supplied low voltage cable limits the area of installation if all the lights are not in the same general area. However, a cheaper, safe and acceptable substitute to extend to another area is 120V underground wiring cable (UF). Not to be concerned if the kit comes with #18 wire rather than #12. The maximum current in any section of the 20 light system will be less than 8 amps, adequate for #18 wire. If it is desired to have photocell control rather than a timer, inexpensive outdoor rated photocell controllers are available. Replacement 4W lamps are available in some stores. However, I found them on-line for 1/3 the cost of retail. Also avaliable are colored lamps in blue, red, green, and yellow, for a holiday flair. The system voltage is 12V, which allows for many other possibilities. I prefer the warm, incadecent glow, compared to the cold color of solar lamps, and they will light up walkways and small objects quite nicely. Try them, you'll like them.
Update: This Malibu line of outdoor lights again is available with photocell operation. Shop around for this feature; it's well worth the time.
Customer Review: Second time with low-voltage
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd used similar lights ten years ago, and had remembered them as workable but the plastic was not all that strong. They lasted ok until we ran over the ones that were too close to the driveway, and then they disintegrated.
This time I knew I wanted low voltage, but all I could find were solar powered units which my neighbours have but which end up looking like glow-worms within a short time. This kit was more lights than I wanted, but it was cheap, and I figured I could use the extras as replacements.
They have changed the way the lights clamp to the wire, it's now more flexible. Assembly of the first one of each type was slow, but once you've done one it goes quicker. My 12 year old son and I assembled all of them and did a trial install outside in a little over an hour.
The 100 foot of cable was enough for me to put out 7 path lights and 3 spots and run it back to a place I can put in an outlet in the spring: right now it's on an extension cord.
What I like about the lights is that you can move things around easily if you don't like the effects, and the 4W lights are not overly bright, giving much more of an enchanted effect than the 75W floods that we used to have. On the downside, they are plastic and are not wonderfully beautiful during the day. I've already gotten two compliments on the effect, and the fact that it was so cheap doesn't hurt...
Customer Review: Well Worth the Money
Summary: 5 Stars
I was skeptical about purchasing this set because of the reviewer's comments about missing and flimsy parts and very dull light.
I received my set in great condition with no missing parts. The set is plastic, but it is not at all flimsy. You can't pound them into the ground with a hammer, but they go in with little trouble. I am in an area with red clay almost as hard as concrete and used a 12 inch spike to start the hole and it worked fine.
The box does have a lot of parts, but if you follow the directions they go together pretty easy. The only problem I had was with 6 of the tier lights. The hole in the socket was not bored out enough to get the wire in far enough for the bulb to make contact. I needed to use a small eyeglass screw driver to push them all the way in.
If you are looking for flood lights, don't buy this set. It's a low voltage set and is intended to be an accent light, not a flood light. Mine give a nice warm glow to the walkway leading to my front door. They are easily visible from 100 yards away.
I don't know what some of these reviewers's expected for $50.00. This is a much better set of lights than the metal solar lights (which were 3 times more expensive) that I had and found them to be totally useless after about 3 months.
Customer Review: I have been using this type of lighting happily for about twenty years now
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using this type of lighting happily for about twenty years now. The metal ones I have tried rusted out in less than two years and looked bad (rust) in just months. I still have some of these plastic ones up and running for well over ten years. Yes, there is some minor maintenance each summer, (I put some Oxiguard "anti corrosion" electrical grease on bulb socket!) but what outdoor item is without some maintenance??
These really assemble easily, work well! The only soldering that may be needed might be when connecting additional length to the cable, that and some heat shrink over it makes it last indefinitely!
The lights connect by spiking the electrical cable in the "Seat" And a pliers helps set them good and tight.
By the way I also have some solar powered ones I tried, not what they are cracked up to be. The batteries corrode quickly at the contacts due to moisture, see my suggestion above about oxiguard, helps here also! The replacement batteries get expensive and the light level is well below these powered ones. This order is my fourth set added to my half acre yard.