Low Voltage Downlight Problems

chaddythebear

Bought 6 of these for my bathroom

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IP54-CHROME-12V-SHOWER-DOWNLIGHTER-50W-LAMP-A083_W0QQitemZ270169431545QQihZ017QQcategoryZ29510QQcmdZViewItem

Got 6 transformers from the electrician at my work, have them fitted to a dimmer switch and used 20w bulbs rather than the 50w one's that were supplied.

Initially for the first 4 days i used the 50w bulbs before purchasing the 20w one's, during this period they worked with no problems.

When i changed them to the 20w one's this is when it all went wrong, most of the lights flickered, then 5 of them never worked. I tested the bulbs and they worked ok, and when i moved the transformer of the working lamp to one of the faulty one's it worked ok, conclusion, faulty transformers! Spoke to my work collegue who gave me 5 new one's. I changed them over and bingo, 6 working lights!

Great, or so i thought, about 2 hrs later i dimmed them, then turned them back up full, flicker flicker, 3 out!!!

What is the problem?

Is it the lamps? Is it just unlucky transformers?

The transformers were two different makes, both state they are dimmable!

Please help, i don't want to ask my collegue again, he's a busy guy and i don't want to be a pest.

Thanks

maninthestreet

Normal, 240V dimmer switches usually have a minimum wattage requirement, as well as maximum wattage limit. Could this be the case here? Or are the 20W bulbs low energy bulbs?

chaddythebear

They are low voltage bulbs

duncan320

Can you post the make and the part number of the bulbs maybe ?

chaddythebear

Turns out it was a fault with the transformers, i bought the best money can buy and now all is well!

Been told even though they say they are dimmable the cheaper one's do not like being dimmed.

I suppose you get what you pay for

thanks to all