Have not installed this yet but did test it on some new lighting I have to install with this transformer. It works very well. This will be my first install of low voltage at my new place. At my old home my neighbors called me the king of low voltage lighting, I had hundreds of them, yes that many! That brings me to a point, this transformer has so many features compared to the old ones I used many years ago, yes those old ones lasted a long time but lacked features. Very pleased with one.

Added landscape lighting to the house a good 20 years ago. LED lights existed then but were crushingly expensive. So, went with some old standard classic halogen (incandescent) fixtures from the orange big box store. 10 fifty-watt fixtures powered by a big honkin’ 600 watt Intermatic transformer. Was livin’ large. Fast forward 15 years and LED landscape fixtures had significantly dropped in price. Add in the bonus of not having to be constantly changing bulbs and it was a no-brainer. Out with the halogen and in with the LED. Since the total wattage with the LED lights was now less than 100, I did not really need the monster transformer output anymore. But, it was still working so I let it be. Finally after 20 years, the electro-mechanical timer on the old Intermatic gave it up. Enter this SMY Lighting brand unit.Compared to the unit it replaced, it is like going from Chevy to a Cadillac. At 170 watts it is more than powerful enough for my purposes. And, to my complete and utter joy, it has a photocell control. No more constant playing with a mechanical timer to account for earlier/later sunset time, seasonal time changes, or because of power outages. I could give it ten stars just for this feature alone.The photocell control can be set for dusk to dawn operation or for what is described as “countdown” mode. In countdown mode the transformer powers up the lights at dusk but shuts down after a user-selectable length of time of anywhere between 30 minutes and 12 hours (in fixed increments).The photocell is mounted on the bottom of the timer so it is protected from the weather. Just be aware that your mounting location should be such that the landscape lights do not shine onto the photocell from below.The transformer is housed in a metal box that appears to be powdercoated. It has two taps – 12 volts AC and 15 volts AC. The 15 volt option is perfect for a long distance run or a line with many fixtures to compensate for voltage drop.Came well packaged with foam padding. Includes a reasonably understandable instruction booklet. Also includes a template to aid in placing screws for mounting the transformer on a wall.One area of concern is the lack of any testing laboratory certification. The unit does not show any UL or ETL (Intertek) labeling.Only been installed now for a couple of days so far too soon to comment on durability, dependability, and service life. However, if first impression is any indication, I expect to get years of service out of this transformer. If it turns out otherwise, I will make every effort to return and update.To me, this is a 4 to 4.5 star product. A solidly built item with many features and a competitive price point. Would have no reservations about purchasing this product should a need for another arise in the future. Also, would not have any misgivings about suggesting this product to a family member or friend with a need for one.DISCLAIMER: I am a member of the Amazon Vine program. This means that I receive some products free of charge (but considered income to me for tax purposes) to use and review. I only request/accept items I will actually use. My reviews are based on this real-world usage – they are not mere regurgitations of the Amazon product description or insincere hype. I am not a shill and I do not consider the fact that an item was provided without charge as part of my ratings. I have given Vine products one star, five stars, and all points in between. A defective, incomplete, dangerous, or fraudulently described item gets 1 star (zero is not an option), a below average product 2, and an average product 3. You have to earn a 4 or 5 star rating. I put serious effort into my reviews and they represent my honest, hands-on opinion of the product. My hope it they will help you make an informed, educated choice whether or not a product is right for your needs.

The SMY Lighting 170W Low Voltage Landscape Transformer is a reliable and efficient power solution for outdoor lighting systems. Designed to convert 120V AC to 12V or 15V AC, it ensures safe and stable operation for landscape, pathway, and garden lighting. The built-in photocell sensor and timer provide automatic on/off functionality, allowing lights to turn on at dusk and off at dawn or according to a preset schedule, adding convenience and energy efficiency.Constructed with weatherproof materials, this transformer is built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, ensuring durability and long-term performance. The 170W capacity makes it suitable for medium to large lighting setups, supporting multiple fixtures without overloading. Installation is straightforward, with clear wiring instructions, though some users may require basic electrical knowledge for proper setup. While the unit operates efficiently, users may notice a slight humming sound, which is common with transformers. Overall, the SMY Lighting 170W Low Voltage Landscape Transformer is a great choice for homeowners looking for a versatile, durable, and automated solution to power their outdoor lighting systems.

No issues using this. Easy to set up times and keeps them in a power outage. Plenty of power - especially with LED lights since they don't take much.

This is the second time I order a transformer that can't supply enough wattage to my whole setup. It is not a big deal since I was able to split the feed so i could use both transformers, but I thought it would be a good advice for people who have a lot of landscape lights. If you have the specs for all you have, it is easy to do the math, then purchase a transformer that provides at least 20% above what you calculated you'd need.Putting that aside, I was happy that it worked as advertised. The timer is a very useful feature but the light (photocell) sensor is perfect if you like keeping it on all night long and keep forgetting to turn it off in the morning. That is not an issue here.I just wish it had an app and was WiFi compatible for even better controls, but I can live without it. Installation was easy since I already had everything ready for it.

This is a great transformer with all the features to make it perfect for our new landscaping, and at a price that makes it a great value. Easy to install, hook up our lights, and now enjoying the look of our home at night.