1000w halogen flood light keeps blowing. any help why

[Jacklad99]

hi i have put up 2x 1000w halogen flood lights that run off a wireless sensor,the sensor only pulls in the contactor that power both lights , when the sensor is triggered the lights come on for no more than 4/5 mins , i have changed the lamps for cheap to branded type but still have same problem, all tests have been carried out , insulation resistance on cables are fine,does anyone know why these bulbs keep blowing , any help would be great ,i cant change lights to halides due to the fact that the lights would take to long to warm up and leds are a def no no (cost wise) the only other thing i could do is change fittings to 500w , cheers

 

[ParkySparky]

When installing the lamps are you handling them directly? Grease etc on the actual lamps can cause theses to fail quickly.

 

[alpha spark]

Have u tried bypassing the wireless sensor does this work

 

[septiclecky]

As said grease of fingers that is why there is a bit of paper wrapped around lamp so you don't touch it.

 

[alpha spark]

Also are the voltages your getting at the fitting in the same range has the control gear had it a few times where the voltage is too high/low and work for a few mins but go out after could be worth a look

 

[Jacklad99]

Hi guys yes voltages same at both fittings , been wearing gloves to put lamps in , the sensor have nothing linked to the lights all they do is pull the coil in on contactor , this is doing my head in , I am going to down size the lights for time being to see if that makes a difference

 

[Evans Electric]

Bit of a puzzle TBH What are the two makes of lamp you've been using ? I've only used 1000W TH floods once , and although expensive to run, they were on for 8 hours a day , don't remember any short life problems.

 

[Jacklad99]

G.E lamps there only on for a few mins , to light up a driveway area when the car drive by . Tried cheap lamps first .then bought these from edmondson off there recommendation . But same problem . Might email the maker of the light to see of common problem

 

[Steve3948]

It may not be the lamps, but could be the fittings.

If the pins each side are loose and not enough pressure on the lamp it will cause the lamp to blow.

 

[Evans Electric]

Did you mean 1000W TH or is that a typo ? A 1000W TH fitting is quite big and a 500W is too short to fit .

 

[ParkySparky]

That must be some driveway to need 2000w to light it

Have you measured voltage when at light when contractor pulls in? Could be a surge on starting?

 

[Jacklad99]

The drive is long one points to front/middle other points to end , have checked voyage when lights pull in both at 237 to 240 the pins seem tight when placing the lamps into fitting they work fine for about 1 week then blow The fittings are brand new , seems weird that they could both be faulty , could it be the heat they generate then cool down if they were on and off a few times in an hour maybe that's why they blowing

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Yes 1000w meaning would have to completely change fitting to a smaller on to change to 500w

 

[Evans Electric]

Its possible the short " on" period may be causing expansion and contraction , a 1000W TH tube certainly develops some heat . Does the filament blow or does the glass rupture ? Any sign of water ingress?

 

[Jacklad99]

No there's no water , the lamp don't seem to be black or ruptured, the only damage seems by the end where the pin is the ceramic looks broken

 

[ElectekAir]

Is the fitting level? Seen these fitted on the angle and most of them had the same lamp life problems

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Only ever worked with these lamps once, changed 6 of them for Son E fittings. It was some external floodlights for a church, 6kw !!!!!

The broken ,corroded ends happens fairly often with the 500w. It seems some sort of moisture that has broken down the ends, maybe condensation. Not been too bothered as i buy a box of 400w (was 500w) at a time & they dont cost much.

 

[Jacklad99]

Guys thanks for all the replys , but I went to the customers house , today , it's about 30miles away , so could only get there today , and took all my testing gear with me , the owner of the house told me they had blown again , turns out the trip had gone off ,the lamps are all working fine , for now lol , least I werent there long

 

[ParkySparky]

But why had the mcb tripped?

 

[Willie webster]

I have similar issue - and have bought new unit - 1000w halogen 10 bulbs now blown - always left hand ceramic end of bulb - properly sealed - use bubble wrap wrapping to protect from finger prints - would buy unit at 3 times price if only they would continue to work - almost giving up and going to fit bare minimum lighting level halogen units poss as low as 100w but not happy with this - any other suggestions. - thanks guys

 

[Evans Electric]

Both cases sound like cheapo lamps to me , lets face it , almost everything we buy in our trade is of an inferior quality these days .

Outside fittings these days don't even have captive screws now ......one slip from freezing fingers and you're searching for a screw for 1/2 hour .