12 AC garden lights transformer life expectancy?

[dave163]

My second 12V AC, 60W garden lights transformer has just died. Both lasted around 6 months and were left running for 4-6 hours a day continuously plugged into a timer. Transformer itself plugged into 240V domestic supply in brick outhouse which is cold and damp but certainly not wet, thought the transformer is marked as IP65. Running 5 LED bulbs that are 12V AC in parallel.

Any ideas why the transformers have blown so soon? And yes I have checked the bulbs, fuses and the wall sockets... Also, if I replace, what power should I be going for? I've found replacements at 25W (which is exactly what my draw is) and 60W, which is more than double what I need.

 

[ericmark]

I have found the transformers last decades but electronic transformers and drivers have capacitors inside so limited life with is reduced if they get too hot, not seen lighting transformers under 50 watt but have seen electronic drivers and transformers at lower outputs, with the electronic often both a minimum and maximum size and as long as your lights don't draw below minimum you and use a larger unit.

I have a 200 VA (watt) wire wound transformer running 4 X 3.5 watt lamps, no problem, I suspect you don't have a transformer but an electronic transformer and it has got too hot.