my lighting track is broken..

[pmx_super]

Hi,

I have a lighting track which consists of 4x20W halogen spots powered by a 12V transformer.

Recently one of the bulbs went - which didn't get replaced. The next three bulbs went in turn shortly afterwards until we were left with nothing. I then bought 4 new bulbs and plugged them in to find that the whole unit is now broken.

They are plugged into a 60-300W dimmer switch. I tried swapping this for a normal switch and they still didn't work. I hear no hum / get no heat from the transformer as if it is dead.

Does anyone have an idea what might have happened and how I can best fix it?

TIA

 

[breezer]

as you said

transformer as if it is dead.

it is dead, it may have a fuse (unlikeley but possible, if not get a complete new light as it may (probably be cheaper and less hassle than trying to change the transformer)

 

[pmx_super]

Thanks breezer,

so I know not to make the same mistake twice what might have broken the transformer?

Running it with too few bulbs perhaps? Might this have drawn to much current and blown a fuse? If it isn't a fuse what else in a transformer could possibly break? Isn't it just a lump of iron with a couple of copper coils?

Cheers

 

[breezer]

Thanks breezer,

Isn't it just a lump of iron with a couple of copper coils?

Cheers

Thats exactly what a transformer is, fuse is optional. it sounds like the coil has burnt out cheap transformers do that

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I don't know if the transformer blew for the same reason, but probably the reason you lost the last 3 bulbs in quick succession is that cheap 12v transformers actually put out more than that, and rely on the full load being present to drag the voltage down to 12. A scandalous method of voltage regulation IMHO

So when 25% of your load disappears, the voltage supplied to the rest goes up, shortening their lives. After the second one goes, there's not much hope left for the last two.

Buy a better quality one next time, and check that it's dimmable.

 

[pmx_super]

Buy a better quality one next time, and check that it's dimmable.

Didn't actually buy this one- inherited it with the flat. Never liked it much anyway, so I think that replacing the entire unit is the best solution.

Thanks for the input guys.