Xmas Lights Transformer

[BF]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a replacement transformer for my indoor Xmas lights. I have found one that is the exact make and type of the one I am looking to replace but the only difference is that my one is 3.6VA and the replacement is 6VA.

Is this OK to use?

Thanks for your help

 

[JohnW2]

I am looking to buy a replacement transformer for my indoor Xmas lights. I have found one that is the exact make and type of the one I am looking to replace but the only difference is that my one is 3.6VA and the replacement is 6VA. Is this OK to use?

If the specification is otherwise identical in all respects (particularly output voltage, AC/DC and any specified minimum current output), that should be OK.

Are you sure that it is the transformer, rather than the lights (or connections), which is faulty? - it's fairly unusual for those sort of things to die when used as little as would be the case with Christmas lights.

Kind Regards, John

 

[BF]

If the specification is otherwise identical in all respects (particularly output voltage, AC/DC and any specified minimum current output), that should be OK.

Are you sure that it is the transformer, rather than the lights (or connections), which is faulty? - it's fairly unusual for those sort of things to die when used as little as would be the case with Christmas lights.

Kind Regards, John

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, everything is identical except the VA figure.
The reason why I believe the transformer is faulty is because when plugged in it is making an unhealthy crackling noise and the lights fluctuate in brightness. They have only been used once before but I wondered if being the garage for a year moisture has got in.

Appreciate your help, thank you.

 

[JohnW2]

Hi John, Thanks for your reply. Yes, everything is identical except the VA figure.

Fair enough, it ought to be fine. The higher VA figure merely means that it is capable of more than you need!

The reason why I believe the transformer is faulty is because when plugged in it is making an unhealthy crackling noise and the lights fluctuate in brightness. They have only been used once before but I wondered if being the garage for a year moisture has got in.

Again, fair enough. What you describe is clearly 'not right', and your theory about the possible cause may be correct. If you were right, then it might dry out and become normal after a few days 'in the warm'.

In view of the way the crazy world works these days, are you sure that buying a new transformer won't cost more than buying a new set of lights (with transformer)?!

Kind Regards, John

 

[BF]

Fair enough, it ought to be fine. The higher VA figure merely means that it is capable of more than you need!
Again, fair enough. What you describe is clearly 'not right', and your theory about the possible cause may be correct. If you were right, then it might dry out and become normal after a few days 'in the warm'.

In view of the way the crazy world works these days, are you sure that buying a new transformer won't cost more than buying a new set of lights (with transformer)?!

Kind Regards, John

Well, the postage (£5.99) is more than the transformer (£4.99)!!

However, my wife spent a couple of hours decorating the tree and we only heard the strange noises from the transformer afterwards so for £11 it's less work than taking everything apart!

Thanks John.

 

[ericmark]

For DC VA and Watts are the same. The max VA needs to be larger than the lights need, and min VA lower than the lights use, often there is no min VA. In theory you should not have a VA ratting for DC, Watts = V x A x Power factor correction and no power factor correction with DC. V=volts and A=amps so VA is volts times amps. With AC the VA may be a little higher than watts, but not much. So yes the power supply you have found should be fine.

But the mA or Amps must be different old to new unit if the voltage is the same. Or the volts old to new must be different if amps are the same! There are some LED's which require drivers, but not very common, if the LED needs a driver there should be a range of volts, i.e. 3 ~ 12 volt, this is unlikely.

 

[BF]

So yes the power supply you have found should be fine.

This is the only bit of your reply I actually understood

Thanks for confirming the suitability.

 

[JohnW2]

Well, the postage (£5.99) is more than the transformer (£4.99)!! ... However, my wife spent a couple of hours decorating the tree and we only heard the strange noises from the transformer afterwards so for £11 it's less work than taking everything apart! Thanks John.

You're welcome, and fair enough - there are times when pragmatism makes sense

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

This is the only bit of your reply I actually understood

Don't worry - that's the only bit that actually matters to you!

Kind Regards, John

 

[winston1]

This is the only bit of your reply I actually understood

Thanks for confirming the suitability.

Don't worry about it, it was all waffle and irrelevant especially that about DC, as transformers are AC devices.

This bit "and min VA lower than the lights use" is incorrect and would cause overloading of the transformer potentially causing a fire.

 

[flameport]

This bit "and min VA lower than the lights use" is incorrect and would cause overloading of the transformer potentially causing a fire.

Total tripe.

The max VA needs to be larger than the lights need, and min VA lower than the lights use

Entirely correct.

A 20-60VA transformer connected to 40VA lighting.
The max of 60 is larger than the 40 of the lights
The min of 20 is lower than the 40 of the lights.
Nothing is overloaded and there is no fire.

 

[winston1]

Total tripe.


Entirely correct.

A 20-60VA transformer connected to 40VA lighting.
The max of 60 is larger than the 40 of the lights
The min of 20 is lower than the 40 of the lights.
Nothing is overloaded and there is no fire.

Hang on. Transformers don't have a minimum VA. Switch mode power supplies sometimes do. But we are talking about transformers NOT switch mode power supplies. You really need to understand the difference.

The suggestion was that a 20VA transformer was OK for a larger load. Absolute rubbish. It would be overloaded and possibly cause a fire.

 

[JohnW2]

Hang on. Transformers don't have a minimum VA. Switch mode power supplies sometimes do. But we are talking about transformers NOT switch mode power supplies.

Have you perhaps been given a crystal ball as an early Christmas present?

Kind Regards, John

 

[winston1]

Have you perhaps been given a crystal ball as an early Christmas present?

Kind Regards, John

Nope.

I read the OPs first which which said:

"I am looking to buy a replacement transformer for my indoor Xmas lights."

 

[JohnW2]

Nope. I read the OPs first which which said: "I am looking to buy a replacement transformer for my indoor Xmas lights."

Yes, we all read that - but I am sure that most of us did not 'assume' that he was necessarily referring to a wire-wound component. Never assume!

Kind Regards, John