Three year update: It looks like these are now branded Harbor Breeze instead of Portfolio. Both are Lowe's house brands. The components seem to be similar. They system has been pretty reliable but I recently needed to replace a few lights that were no longer illuminating. They have a five year warranty so save those receipts!
Thanks for Harbor Breeze / Portfolio explanation. I had bought enough of a transformer for ones side of my house with spot lights but had not gotten around to buying another to connect another side of the house on other side of driveway. Much to my chagrin, Portfolio brand lights and transformer were no longer offered from Lowe's. Now that I know common, I will source more lights under Harbor Breeze. Thanks for the information.
Great video! Question....did you bury the connector piece or hide it under the mulch? I ran some of the wired path lighting down my driveway today, in a strip of grass, but I am hesitant to bury the connector piece without some other type of waterproofing.
Thanks. I wrapped the connectors in electric tape and just hid it under the mulch. The manual does not tell you to wrap it but I read somewhere that it may offer more protection so I did so for more peace of mind. It is almost like it is TOO EASY to set up based on the manual.
how do you program these things? I just moved into a house that has 4 of these things for lighting all around the house. I pressed the buttons up and down on the transformers and now the lights won't turn off. Is there a factory reset?
I am not sure about a factory reset but here is a PDF of the manual which includes a support phone number. I know you can set it to be on for X number of hours or to go on during dusk to dawn. pdf.lowes.com/productdocuments/1438e5a6-f470-4ce6-a6cb-4d6ea1617512/63535680.pdf?_gl=1*1xwosdp*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MjUxNDA3NjYuQ2owS0NRandfc3EyQmhDVUFSSXNBSVZxbVFza0VvZThKOUprRTJjY0pCLUhVYUtNWm93cFF3NTNfTFM3Z3lxV0tZTDNaSG1sQVl3eWRqY2FBblE1RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3MjUxNDA3NjYuQ2owS0NRandfc3EyQmhDVUFSSXNBSVZxbVFza0VvZThKOUprRTJjY0pCLUhVYUtNWm93cFF3NTNfTFM3Z3lxV0tZTDNaSG1sQVl3eWRqY2FBblE1RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*MjY4MTcxNzA4LjE3MjI0NTA5NzAuNTI5OTMxMTE5LjE3MjUxNDA3NjYuMTcyNTE0MDc2Ng..
This was extremely helpful! The directions provided are horrible!! Question: How did you tape each connector? Did you wrap the entire apparatus in electrica tape?
Hmm. Thorough instructions, thanks. I placed both wires in terminal one and my lights went on for a second and then off, followed by the "E" readout which indicates "check circuit." I even tried placing both wires in terminal two, but got the dreaded "E" again. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?
You just keep adding however many lights you need to the strand of wire. The thicker the wire you use, the more lights and greater the distance it can handle.
They cover this in the manual. On the box that plugs in to the wall, you will find a small red LED character and up/down arrows. You can use this to set automatic dusk to dawn or a preset amount of hours.
Did everything you did and when I turn on it kicks off and gives me an error message. Bought another but this one was 200watt portfolio transformer box and it gave me the same error message again. Help pls
Sorry, I won't be of much use since I don't work for the company. I would start with basic troubleshooting though: Put ONE light on a fresh strand of wire and go from there. If that works, it tells me one of the lights or the old wire may be damaged. If it fails, contact the manufacturer for help.
I was wondering how the transformer is holding up outside your wall? Is it weather proof when it rains etc? Would you recommend that I install it inside my garage instead? I know that outside installation is easy to simply set it up on dusk/dawn setting, but I would like to get your opinion?
Good question. I have had no problems at all on the outside wall. I am not sure if it is rated as waterproof though. If you install the box inside, it does come with a wire you can run outside to help with dusk/dawn detection.
@@joeg816 I was at lowes today and went through the box, it looks like the newr models do not come equipped with the photo cel wire that you mention, it's built in now, i'll have to ask lowes just in case I missed it. One more thing, how long has it been outside? I see you posted this video on June 27 last year so my guess is 1 year?
@@joeg816 good deal, great video by the way, i picked up the kit today at Lowes, the newer models have the built in photo cel into the transformer so I am going to have to install it outside as well, i'll try not to leave too much expose wire when wiring to the transformer. One more question, I was not clear if you use 12 gauge wire or 16 gauge wire?
@@joshuanovuss7866 I used 12 on one side and 16 on the other. As I have to come understand, you only need the thicker (12 gauge) wire for longer runs. 16 will do fine for a typical installation. 220, 221 - whatever it takes.
I hate when ppl make videos like this but dot show exactly how they buried/ hide the wire. If you’re trying to show and help someone show the whole process literally everything. You can always edit the video later.
most ppl bury just like that. if you wanted to be critique you could buy some small pvc ‘ lil flex if they make it that small. flow the wire through it. it’s a bigger job and it’s going to cost ya a bit more. but a better chance of lasting longer. Just a thought , thanks y’all , good video man…
Three year update: It looks like these are now branded Harbor Breeze instead of Portfolio. Both are Lowe's house brands. The components seem to be similar.
They system has been pretty reliable but I recently needed to replace a few lights that were no longer illuminating. They have a five year warranty so save those receipts!
Thanks for Harbor Breeze / Portfolio explanation. I had bought enough of a transformer for ones side of my house with spot lights but had not gotten around to buying another to connect another side of the house on other side of driveway. Much to my chagrin, Portfolio brand lights and transformer were no longer offered from Lowe's. Now that I know common, I will source more lights under Harbor Breeze. Thanks for the information.
This was helpful thank you. Non-related, you should consider ASMR recordings. Your voice is relaxing.
Agreed God father 4 lol
I always loved those connectors. Very high quality
Thanks for this. Just bought a house with these installed. 2 lights are out. Now I know where to check the connections at least.
Thank you! As you mentioned the instructions aren't clear about whether pos/neg matter.
Great Video. You made this project so easy for me. This is the best video on the subject! THX
Thank you!
I'm going to install tomorrow. Thank you so much good sir!
Good video. I just installed 6 of the spotlights today and we’ll see how it goes.
Thanks for posting. the instructions that come with the transformer suck. Your video really helped.
Thank you my friend !
Well done and your self-deprecating humor is awesome!
Just what I was looking for, thanks
Thank you! This video was very informative!
Had no clue when I clicked on this video that Marlon Brando as The Godfather would be narrating the instructions... 😳😏😆
Thank you so much for this video! Helped out a lot!
I silicone around it. Tape won’t do anything over time
Really good demonstrating
My old timer had a brightness up down this transformer you have I bought. But is there a way to increase brightness??? Waiting for sunset NYS
Sorry, I don't know of a way to change brightness. I don't think it is possible.
Great video! Question....did you bury the connector piece or hide it under the mulch? I ran some of the wired path lighting down my driveway today, in a strip of grass, but I am hesitant to bury the connector piece without some other type of waterproofing.
Thanks. I wrapped the connectors in electric tape and just hid it under the mulch. The manual does not tell you to wrap it but I read somewhere that it may offer more protection so I did so for more peace of mind.
It is almost like it is TOO EASY to set up based on the manual.
Thanks for the quick response.
how do you program these things? I just moved into a house that has 4 of these things for lighting all around the house. I pressed the buttons up and down on the transformers and now the lights won't turn off. Is there a factory reset?
I am not sure about a factory reset but here is a PDF of the manual which includes a support phone number. I know you can set it to be on for X number of hours or to go on during dusk to dawn.
pdf.lowes.com/productdocuments/1438e5a6-f470-4ce6-a6cb-4d6ea1617512/63535680.pdf?_gl=1*1xwosdp*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MjUxNDA3NjYuQ2owS0NRandfc3EyQmhDVUFSSXNBSVZxbVFza0VvZThKOUprRTJjY0pCLUhVYUtNWm93cFF3NTNfTFM3Z3lxV0tZTDNaSG1sQVl3eWRqY2FBblE1RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3MjUxNDA3NjYuQ2owS0NRandfc3EyQmhDVUFSSXNBSVZxbVFza0VvZThKOUprRTJjY0pCLUhVYUtNWm93cFF3NTNfTFM3Z3lxV0tZTDNaSG1sQVl3eWRqY2FBblE1RUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*MjY4MTcxNzA4LjE3MjI0NTA5NzAuNTI5OTMxMTE5LjE3MjUxNDA3NjYuMTcyNTE0MDc2Ng..
I need a replacement and can't seem to find them anywhere
This was extremely helpful! The directions provided are horrible!!
Question: How did you tape each connector? Did you wrap the entire apparatus in electrica tape?
Exactly. Just wrapped the whole thing in electric tape to try to make it more moisture proof.
@@joeg816 Thank you! Just wrapped my last connector! Wish me luck!!! 🤞🏽
Which light fixture did you use on the house? I assumed the narrower light beam? Thanks for making the video.
thanks bro, very helpful
Hmm. Thorough instructions, thanks. I placed both wires in terminal one and my lights went on for a second and then off, followed by the "E" readout which indicates "check circuit." I even tried placing both wires in terminal two, but got the dreaded "E" again. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?
Sorry, no idea. I assume E means error though. I would return that box!
@@ChiefRemoteOfficer No. According to the list of read-outs on the side of the transformer, "E" means "Check Circuit." Thanks anyway.
@@e-rokekenedi7834 did you find out what the issue was?
@@HeLLLoKitTTyy69 No. I'm currently using another transformer that's working fine.
Great video thank you! Curious, how did you get so many lights running from one box?
You just keep adding however many lights you need to the strand of wire. The thicker the wire you use, the more lights and greater the distance it can handle.
@@ChiefRemoteOfficer ahhh thank you ! Just bought 100 ft of cable last light and a 60W transformer.. should be a fun little project :)
I was hoping to find out how to change the timing for when the lights go off.
They cover this in the manual. On the box that plugs in to the wall, you will find a small red LED character and up/down arrows. You can use this to set automatic dusk to dawn or a preset amount of hours.
Is the portfolio kit w 60w converter 8 piece kit worth it? I’m on the fence about getting it or going w a stronger converter 120w
Did everything you did and when I turn on it kicks off and gives me an error message. Bought another but this one was 200watt portfolio transformer box and it gave me the same error message again. Help pls
Sorry, I won't be of much use since I don't work for the company. I would start with basic troubleshooting though: Put ONE light on a fresh strand of wire and go from there.
If that works, it tells me one of the lights or the old wire may be damaged.
If it fails, contact the manufacturer for help.
How many lights per line did you run? I just installed 12 on a 60 w system and its pulling a L code
I have 2 boxes, I think 5 off one, 6 off the other. Pretty short run of wire.
I was wondering how the transformer is holding up outside your wall? Is it weather proof when it rains etc? Would you recommend that I install it inside my garage instead? I know that outside installation is easy to simply set it up on dusk/dawn setting, but I would like to get your opinion?
Good question. I have had no problems at all on the outside wall. I am not sure if it is rated as waterproof though.
If you install the box inside, it does come with a wire you can run outside to help with dusk/dawn detection.
@@joeg816 I was at lowes today and went through the box, it looks like the newr models do not come equipped with the photo cel wire that you mention, it's built in now, i'll have to ask lowes just in case I missed it. One more thing, how long has it been outside? I see you posted this video on June 27 last year so my guess is 1 year?
@@joshuanovuss7866 I installed it in late June, so almost a year.
@@joeg816 good deal, great video by the way, i picked up the kit today at Lowes, the newer models have the built in photo cel into the transformer so I am going to have to install it outside as well, i'll try not to leave too much expose wire when wiring to the transformer. One more question, I was not clear if you use 12 gauge wire or 16 gauge wire?
@@joshuanovuss7866 I used 12 on one side and 16 on the other. As I have to come understand, you only need the thicker (12 gauge) wire for longer runs. 16 will do fine for a typical installation.
220, 221 - whatever it takes.
Safe to attach to siding?
The box is pretty heavy. I would make sure to screw it into wood or stone.
SAW?
They definitely don’t make it clear which terminals to use 🍻
I hate when ppl make videos like this but dot show exactly how they buried/ hide the wire. If you’re trying to show and help someone show the whole process literally everything. You can always edit the video later.
I just buried the cable under the mulch. That's it. Nothing fancy.
most ppl bury just like that. if you wanted to be critique you could buy some small pvc ‘ lil flex if they make it that small. flow the wire through it. it’s a bigger job and it’s going to cost ya a bit more. but a better chance of lasting longer. Just a thought , thanks y’all , good video man…
Do you want to play a game?
😵💫