downlighters not working,help please

[oliver's dad]

hi, i have 5 downlighters (20 watt each) in my bathroom. the other day,they all flickered for a few seconds then nothing.

i changed the mr16 bulbs,still not working,so went up in the loft and checked all the connections,all seem ok so would it be the transformer thats the problem? they all run off one transformer,lived in my house for 5 years never had a problem or even changed the bulbs until now.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

regards

 

[betty swollocks]

transformer would be my suggestion,

have you any basic test equipment?

a basic multimeter would show if you have a 12v output from transformer

it would also show you have a 230v input

but i'd just go buy a new one and replace if you feel you are confident in doing so

if not call a spark it wont cost the earth

 

[oliver's dad]

hi betty,thanks for quick reply,yeh ive already ordered one for

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Are you sure you ordered a 100Va one for

 

[Evans Electric]

Make sure you get a 105VA transformer , Oliver's Dad , that would be big enough for your 5 X 20w lights .

You may be given a 60VA which would not be correct.

 

[oliver's dad]

i got a ring 200 va online from a place called the light factory for

 

[steptoe]

sounds OK,

have you got a link or web address we could have a look at?

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

i got a ring 200 va online from a place called the light factory for

 

[oliver's dad]

200VA Low Voltage 12v Dimmable Electronic Transformer: Amazon.co.uk: Lighting

thanks for all replys

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 22:23 ---------- Previous post was made at 22:19 ----------

Yep, that sounds fine. I forgot to ask earlier, How's Oliver ?

hes fine thanks,sleeping like a log at last!

 

[steptoe]

looks fine to me,

you're not intending dimming it are you?

 

[septiclecky]

Are you sure they are MR16 lamps and not MR11 lamps?

5 lamps on one transformer sounds a bit of a cowboy job as if the 20w lamps where changed for 35w or even 50w then it would not last very long.

 

[oliver's dad]

no just running 5 x 20 watt downlighters off it. cheers steptoe

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Are you sure they are MR16 lamps and not MR11 lamps?5 lamps on one transformer sounds a bit of a cowboy job as if the 20w lamps where changed for 35w or even 50w then it would not last very long.

With the 200va tranny he's ordered he could run 35w lamps. Although i always run seperate transformers per lamp theres nothing wrong with multiple lamps off one unit. Its how all these cheap kits are supplied

 

[steptoe]

septic,

Ive done jobs where a heck of a lot more than 5 lamps have been run of one Tx

olivers dad,

I think you will be just dandy with that, remember to keep the trannsformer well clear of any insulation you may have.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

looks fine to me,you're not intending dimming it are you?

Dimming 20w lamps ( :slap this will have to do as there is no sarcasm smiley)

 

[steptoe]

Dimming 20w lamps ( :slap this will have to do as there is no sarcasm smiley)

thats was my thoughts,

just wanted to make sure that wasnt why he bought a dimmable Tx.

 

[Evans Electric]

Who's Oliver? :C

 

[Technician]

Interesting posts...heard about a bathroom with the same

downlighters...subsequent tinkerers had added new ones.

Next thing...Transformer stuffed. Not before a burning odour

was detected.