Low voltage halogen lights

keith969

I recently moved into a new place which has halogen lights in the kitchen and bathrooms and found some of the bulbs did not light. They are the 12V type, fitted into the ceiling. Initially I thought the bulbs had just blown, and tried replacing them. Alas the bulbs were OK, and a quick check with a meter showed no 12V coming to the faulty bulb.

I am assuming the transformer has gone, however I can't get to the other side of the ceiling - in all cases there is roof space above the lights, but no access to the space at all - the only way is through the (small) hole when the bulb is removed, or by removing the ceiling plasterboard, which I really don't want to do as it will be a major job.

So does anyone know - is it likely the transformer can be pulled through the bulb hole? Is there any other way to fix the problem? Ideally I'd like to replace them all by 240V halogens so no more transformers can fail, but really don't want to have the ceiling down and replaced / replastered...

clockworks_2

i like you had the same problem , failed transformer. You can pull mine down via the spot light hole. Not the bulb hole but you the actual body of the spot light. replacement was £3. my electrician got it for me from his whole salers.

fluffpot

If they've been installed by an electrician then you should be able to access all transformers via the holes for the lights - you many have to remove the light fittting to do this.

If they have been installed by a cowboy then you might not be able to....and the only solution is to take down part of the ceiling..

Fingers crossed it's the first!

Fluff

keith969

Thanks folks, I have no idea who installed them (it was the last but one owners of the house) . Will try and see if the transformers can be pulled out, there are 4 or 5 in total that have gone...

keystone

keith969 wrote: »

Thanks folks, I have no idea who installed them (it was the last but one owners of the house) . Will try and see if the transformers can be pulled out, there are 4 or 5 in total that have gone...

Agree - if the installation has been done correctly then they should be able to be pulled down through the hole.

Cheers

tower

Hi, you may also find that one transformer does more that one light.

27col

I installed my own down-lighters. The transformers all pull down through the lamp hole. They are all on small plugs and sockets, so easy to replace. However, I have not had one fail in 6 years or more. In fact, I have only had one bulb fail in that time.

Moss5

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LTYT50.html

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BGLVLH.html

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLGULH.html

When my lamps failed, the lampholders were the problem. Overheating caused the contacts to corrode and lose continuity.

Try connecting the known 'good' lamp and lampholder to the suspect transformer to verify your diagnosis.

The output from an electronic transformer is zero when no load exists across the output. An open-circuit lampholder will produce the no-load condition.

keith969

Thanks, that looks just what I need. I'll have a go at getting a transformer out this weekend and check the lampholders too.

msun

I've had bad experiences with transformers. After the third replacement of the blown transformer, I gave up and replaced the halogen bulbs with mains versions thereby eliminating the transformer.

keith969

Well I finally got round to removing one of the lights, sure enough the transformer could be pulled through the hole and is connected to a small junction box (that could also be pulled through the hole).

The make is a CED LVTD60 (60W dimmable transformer) and part of the casing was melted, ripping it open the overheated area is by one of the power transistors, looks like it has been overloaded at some stage. So I've ordered some of the TLC transformers, at under £5 each they appear a bargain.