15 Aug My lights are out! ………..Help
by Mike Gambino
“They worked just fine last night and I am having a party tonight and its dark. What do I do?”
First, Relax and take a deep breath. If it is a Gambino landscape lighting system there are some things you as the property owner can do in the rare event that your lighting does not come on.
Start by thinking of what could have possibly changed since last night when the lights were on.
Did you, your spouse or anyone else make any changes to the timer?
Did you have any workers or anyone else in the yard who might have unplugged your transformer/s or tripped a GFI or a breaker at the main electrical service panel?
Were there any power outages that may have affected the timer/controller settings ?
Having the answers to these questions can help expedite the troubleshooting process.
Go to your timer and check your settings. We have used several types of timers over the years on systems where we have installed the control system on. Make sure there is power to the controller and your current or real time setting is correct on the unit.
Then go into your program settings and make sure they are correct and there are no duplicate settings such as simultaneous on and off times programmed.
Make sure that the current day setting is correct if it applies to your timer. Make sure the timer is in the automatic run or normal position. Make sure selector switch is in 1-4 on those timers so equipped.
Make sure the days on setting in program review is correct for the days you wish to operate lights for those timers that are applicable.
If all of the that checks out then its time to locate your low voltage transformer/s and their power supply.
For those systems that are plugged in make sure that a GFI outlet has not tripped disabling power to your transformer.
First make sure the power cord is plugged in all the way into the socket.
Try plugging a portable appliance or device into the same outlet as transformer if possible to test for power.
The GFI may or may not be the exact outlet that your transformer is plugged into so you may have to do some searching in the vicinity of the lighting transformer to locate it.
If the GFI is your culprit, reset it by pushing the reset button and go back to your timer and send a manual on signal to open the lighting and enjoy the rest of your evening.
If you cannot reset your GFI , go to your primary breaker service panel to check for a tripped breaker. If one is found reset it and try resetting your GFI and then turn on your lighting manually with the timer.
If your GFI won’t reset and the breakers are all on then you can also run an exterior grade extension cord and connect with the transformers plug and try another outlet that you know is working and then turn on your lighting . If successful this should only be used to get you through the party and disconnect this set up until we can come to make the repair to your GFI. Extreme caution should be used when plugging into an extension cord. Make sure the distance to the working plug is the shortest that it can be and that it doesn’t come into contact with water or party goers.
If you have power at the transformer and the lights still will not go on open the transformer box and look for a by pass switch which is equipped on Gambino landscape lighting transformers built from 2007 to today.
This will turn your lighting on manually at least for your party and until we can come out to service your system.
If all else fails give us a call we may be able to walk you through the steps or at least schedule a service call to get things back online ASAP.
This landscape lighting blog is written by Mike Gambino of Gambino landscape lighting inc. all rights reserved. Mike is a professional landscape lighting system designer/ builder and has been designing, installing and maintaining landscape lighting systems for more than 20 years. Mike resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and 2 sons. To visit his website go to www.gambinolighting.com . To inquire about hiring Mike please click here .
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