MAC Installation and Operation Instructions

MAC or Motion Activated Controller is designed to provide versatility to a landscape lighting system. As a brief description, MAC has two basic parts: 1) the control unit itself and 2) the wireless motion sensor. Inside the control unit there is an outlet, a test switch, and a power cord. Outside the control unit is a photocell, power cord, an outlet, and an antenna.

Some basic considerations about the area and size of the system in which the MAC will be installed:

1. The range of the transmitter in the wireless motion sensor is about 1000 feet in an unobstructed line of site.
2. Are there any buildings or obstructions between the motion sensor and the control unit?
3. Will the MAC be wall mounted or pole mounted? MAC comes standard with the wall mount kit; pole mount kits need to be ordered separately.
4. Is there an available GFCI protected outlet to plug the MAC control unit into?
5. Will you need more than one motion sensor to cover the desired area? For example, a long driveway. You may want a motion sensor at both ends of the driveway.
6. Will the MAC be controlling more than one transformer? If so, have you purchased Transyncs for the other transformers so that all the lights come on at the same time?

Installation of the MAC control unit

1. Wall mount
   1. Attach the four enclosed brackets with the four enclosed screws into the threaded screw bosses at the four corners on the back of the control unit enclosure. The location will need to be next to at least one lighting transformer and a GFCI protected outlet. Also, make sure the photocell has adequate light for its operations.
   2. Place the control unit against the wall and use the appropriate type of screws or anchors and screws to secure the control unit to the wall.
2. Pole mount
   1. Install the pole into the ground securing it in a hole filled with concrete.
   2. Attach the pole mount kit to the back of the control unit enclosure at the four threaded screw bosses at the four corners. The location will need to be next to at least one lighting transformer and a GFCI protected outlet. Also, make sure the photocell has adequate light for its operations.
   3. When the pole is set, secure the control unit to the pole using the remaining pieces of the pole mounting kit.

Installation of the MAC wireless motion sensor

1. Remember this is a motion sensor. Do not point the sensor in a direction that may cause it to detect unwanted motion. I.e. do not point it out into a street or busy sidewalk, as it will detect the traffic or pedestrians.
2. Install a new 9v battery into the motion sensor prior to installing it.
3. The sensor can be placed to sense motion from the side or from the top. Do not point the motion sensor up towards the sky.
4. Included in the kit is a mounting bracket. Secure the bracket with screws or anchors and screws, depending on the type of surface. Secure the motion sensor to the bracket.

Activating and testing the MAC control unit.

1. Connect at least one light to the landscape lighting transformer so that you'll know if the transformer has been powered up.
2. Plug the power cord from the transformer into the outlet at the bottom of the MAC control unit.
3. Open the door to the MAC control unit. Verify the power cord inside the control unit is either plugged into a timer, a Transync, or directly into the outlet depending on the model of your unit.
   1. MAC-DT and MAC-AT will have a timer plugged in the outlet
   2. MAC-TRSC will have a Transync plugged into the outlet
   3. MAC-NT will not have anything plugged into the outlet
4. Plug the power cord on the outside of the MAC control unit into an active GFCI protected outlet.
5. Press the test switch, the light connected to the transformer should activate.
   1. Yes, go to step 6
   2. No, verify the GFCI protected outlet is active. We have seen even brand new GFCI outlets fail.
6. Close the door to the MAC control unit. Cover the photocell. Go over the motion sensor and wave you hand in front of it or walk in front of it. This too should activate the light connected to the transformer. When the motion sensor activates the control unit, the attached transformer and lights will remain on for approximately seven minutes and then shut off. Note: If you are using the MAC-TRSC you will need to either 1) remove the Transync and plug the internal power cord directly into the internal outlet, or 2) supply 12vac to the pigtail leads of the Transync in order to activate the Transync.
   1. Yes, go to step 7
   2. No
      1. Does the motion sensor have a new battery installed?
      2. Using a long thin non-metallic object, press the reset button inside the control unit.
      3. Make sure the antennas on both the motion sensor and control unit have not been damaged.
      4. Are there obstructions between the motion sensor and the control unit?
      5. Remove the motion sensor, cover the lens, and take it closer to the control unit and test for motion again.
      6. Send the unit in for repair.
7. At this point the MAC is ready and operational. Close the door and latch it. Uncover the photocell. Install a lock on the door latch if you desire.
   1. If the lighting system is not yet fully functional I recommend unplugging the control unit from the outlet and putting some kind of cover over the motion sensor so that it will not be detecting motion and using up the battery.
   2. If the lighting system is fully functional, you need not do anything else. The installation is complete.

If you need technical assistance during and or after the installation of the Transync, please call Control Tech USA, Inc at 303-814-0307 M-F 8:00 to 4:30 MST. You may also fax us at 303-814-3719 or e-mail sales@controltechusa.com.

© Control Tech USA, Inc 2005