downlighter problem

[mikel]

I have a customer who has a single lv downlighter installed in a small hall way at teh bottm of the stairs. It is not used that often, however the transformer fitted to this light keeps failing. Its had 3 new transformers fitted in the last 6 months. The lighting circuit tests are ok has anyone any ideas what may be causing the transformers to fail and how it can be cured. My intial rreaction is to consider fitting a mains voltage fitting and do away with the transformer. The transformers fitted are good quality the last one the customer said the light just started to dim and then failed all togetherheadbang

 

[Zeespark]

Heat causing the thermal trip to go off?

AndyGuiness Drink

 

[mikel]

Thats all I can think of, but the transformer info says that it'll reset. Anyway of getting round the problem if its heat? Any lamp better than others for producing less heat than others

 

[The Godfather]

What is the space available, around the transformer?

What is the age/quality of the light switch?

Don & His Boys

 

[Andy™]

cheap transformers? where possible, i change ELV to LV

 

[Robojin]

cheap transformers? where possible, i change ELV to LV

Agree with AndyC TX's are a right royal pain, bin em and go LV

 

[The Godfather]

Agree with AndyC TX's are a right royal pain, bin em and go LV

As it appears to be only 1 downlight, there seems to be no benefit of ELV here.

The Boys

 

[Andy™]

As it appears to be only 1 downlight, there seems to be no benefit of ELV here.The Boys

im always chaning downlights in hallways, kitchens etc from 12 to 230V. there is never any reason for them to have been installed in the first place

 

[Evans Electric]

Yes , change it to a mains fitting. The majority of those lighting trannies are carp. What make are you fitting , is it the same make each time.

I've not had many problems with JCC and Osram .

Was called to an office about 5 yrs back, little pre-wired trannies in the false ceiling the size of a box of matches , one by one, started to explode with bits flying 3 mtrs.

Basically just cheapo carp , I remember they were Italian.

 

[jibspark]

Thats all I can think of, but the transformer info says that it'll reset. Anyway of getting round the problem if its heat? Any lamp better than others for producing less heat than others

yup, you can get cool fit ones:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Lamps_and_Tubes_Index/Lamps_Halogen_Coolfit/index.html

but as the others say, if you just went for lv it would save him money in the long run and wouldnt take much longer to do than changing the lamp!

 

[green-hornet]

In my opinion there is no need to fit 12v lighting in any area other than maybe the bathroom and outside.

Transformers run HOT.

We have had to mount them on oven trays before now to act as a crude heatplate.

I hate the things, but B&Q sell loads of them so we end up fitting them.

I would ban all of them apart from the LED controllers which run far more cooler

 

[Andy™]

We have had to mount them on oven trays before now to act as a crude heatplate.

and for when the cooker breaks

 

[mikel]

Thanks to you all. Don't know why it was a ELV lampfitted originally. Will take your advice and persuade him to fit a LV one instead then there isn't a tranny to go wrong. Can't thank you all enough for sharing your experience.

 

[batty]

Must be you sparks, I have fitted loads of transformers for years with no problems. The only downlights I have had problems with are the fire rated ones and thats because they overheat the lampholders.

Batty

 

[Evans Electric]

Trust you to be different Batts, What make are you fitting ?

 

[batty]

Trust you to be different Batts, What make are you fitting ?

Generally with lv I use snaplite fittings they come complete with the transformers you may get the odd transformer faulty probably one in thirty or less. For other lights I use the ones my wholesaler provides I think they are under the greenbrook brand at present but a lot of the problem with transformers is insulation or being to close to the fittings and I have found a lot of times its lampholders on fittings also. I personally will not fit mains voltage gu10's as I don't think they give the light output of a lv fitting and lamps don't seem to last long. I tend also to try to get people to have megaman fittings but not everybody likes them.

Batty