Some things have gotten better over the years; others, not so much

[plantmom]

One of the transformers for my landscape iights out front died recently.  Today I bit the bullet and replaced it.  Back in the day when I bought the original (twenty years ago), they were $240 for a 600watt unit.  Today, it was $139.   Wowser.
Other changes?  The new unit is smaller, more compact than the old.  Also, the controls are digital, man,

Comments

[plantmom]

Thank you. Re: analog vs. digital, the old analog timers where a b*tch to set. Teeny tiny forked pins that you had to push in where you wanted the timer to go on and off. Really inaccurate, and if you were trying to synchronize two timers, as I was for many years because I was using two transformers left over from contracting jobs I'd done, it was next to impossible.
There's no wi-fi function in the controls, so to "hack" them would involve standing for some time right under our front picture window. Not likely. I have read, though, about the fancy-ass refrigerators with the ability to communicate with a smartphone, and I wouldn't touch one of those with a ten-foot pole. Besides the issue of hacking, I don't want a fridge that talks to me. I prefer to rely on my brain, like, you know, making out grocery lists. On paper. I am not a Luddite, but I tend that way at times.

[heartonsnow]

I wish I could lay cable and fix fridges! It's so good to be practical.

[plantmom]

Thank you! I can't imagine being otherwise. They even joke about it at work, because I willingly fend for myself if it's clear it's in my best interests and those of my customer to do so: "You mean you're not chained to your register?" Hell no!

[weebleswobble]

its awesome that you fixed it better than the original setup! but since you paid for the extended warranty and all, i think i'd still submit a claim for that part to be replaced.

its also awesome that you know how to rig up transformers and outdoor lighting!

[plantmom]

Thank you. Yeah, I've thought that it might make sense to have a replacement part on hand, just in case.