Bathroom light...help please, any advice?

LolitaLove

Hiya all,

Just wandered if anyone has any advice on an issue I've been having. The bathroom light is also an extractor fan (e.g, the extractor fan comes on when you switch the light on). Just before christmas, the bulbs kept flashing...e.g getting dim, then brighter, then they'd eventually go off (although the bulbs would still work in another fitting). Eventually the light stopped working altogether, although the extractor fan was still working/coming on when the light was switched on.
We've since had an electrician in...he said that the transformer needed replacing, and replaced it. The light started to work again for a few days, then went off again.
The same electrician came back out and said that the transformer was an up-to-date one that had too much power or something for one light....so he fitted another light (above the shower)....he says it is a secure covered unit and it has a glass cover but I'm still worried about it!
The light that he fitted (to the same transformer) is working perfectly, yet the original light has gone off again.
Any suggestions on what this could be before I call the electrician out again? I'd be very grateful for any replies

Myser

Do you still have the box for the new light fitting? Do you know what make and model it is?

So long as it is IP rated for use in a wet-zone, it should be fine. If it is powered by a transformer, then there should be no problems.

The only reason why the old light may not be working is that the fitting contacts may have burnt/deteriorated.

LolitaLove

Myser wrote: »

Do you still have the box for the new light fitting? Do you know what make and model it is?

So long as it is IP rated for use in a wet-zone, it should be fine. If it is powered by a transformer, then there should be no problems.

The only reason why the old light may not be working is that the fitting contacts may have burnt/deteriorated.

If it's the fittngs that have deteriorated, do you have any idea of why the bulbs work at first but then gradually go off? It's baffling me :P I thought if something had gone wrong then it just wouldn't work altogether? It usually lasts about a day or so before flashing/flickering then goes off.
Thanks for your help!

Myser

The bulb may be gradually working loose. Vibration, change in temperature etc. If the original fitting was close to the extractor fan, the vibration from it may be causing the bulb to work loose.

Does the light work again if you re-fit the same bulb?

LolitaLove

Myser wrote: »

Do you still have the box for the new light fitting? Do you know what make and model it is?

So long as it is IP rated for use in a wet-zone, it should be fine. If it is powered by a transformer, then there should be no problems.

The only reason why the old light may not be working is that the fitting contacts may have burnt/deteriorated.

The box just said zone 1, is that okay?

LolitaLove

Myser wrote: »

The bulb may be gradually working loose. Vibration, change in temperature etc. If the original fitting was close to the extractor fan, the vibration from it may be causing the bulb to work loose.

Does the light work again if you re-fit the same bulb?

It has worked again, sometimes it does sometimes it doesn't. One time I tried 3/4 bulbs, none worked, then one did. Yet all 5 bulbs were brand new, and when I put them in another light fitting, all of them worked.

Myser

Seems like a faulty/loose fitting to me.

A fitting suitable for use inside zone 1 is fine. See below:

LolitaLove

Myser wrote: »

Seems like a faulty/loose fitting to me.

A fitting suitable for use inside zone 1 is fine. See below:

Thankyou so much!

Can I be cheeky and ask one more thing....is it a big/expensive job to replace the fitting? Thanks!

Myser

You can be cheeky! It's not expensive to replace the fitting at all. Probably under £10 for the actual fitting itself from an electrical wholesaler. Not sure about labour charges. Shouldn't be more than £25 for labour.

Just check that the transformer you currently have and whether it can cope with two lamps on simultaneously. Otherwise, just buy a fitting that uses mains powered lamps like this one:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-fixed-round-mains-voltage-bathroom-downlight-chrome-effect-240v/67764

If you don't need a spot light for the main bathroom light, then something with a diffuser like this would do:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/portal-brushed-chrome-bathroom-ceiling-light-gls-60w/88976

LolitaLove

Myser wrote: »

You can be cheeky! It's not expensive to replace the fitting at all. Probably under £10 for the actual fitting itself from an electrical wholesaler. Not sure about labour charges. Shouldn't be more than £25 for labour.

Just check that the transformer you currently have and whether it can cope with two lamps on simultaneously.

That's brill, thankyou so much! The transformer should be able to cope as I think it's ok for up to three lights. You've been a great help, thankyou again !:)

Myser

I just re-read your original post.

LolitaLove wrote:

The bathroom light is also an extractor fan

Is the suspect light fitting part of the extractor fan?

If so, that may well be tricky to find a replacement light fitting. Probably better to buy a whole new fan/light in that case.