5 Led lights out of 30 dont work in commercial shop. Some Guidance Needed Please.

[nick182]

Hi guys,

Im new to the game and I have a customer who has an issue with 5-10 random, 12v, MR16 35W downlights (with each row connected on its own Dimmer switch) refusing to work.
I was wondering could this most likely be the transformer that needs replacing? I havnt been on site to look for myself so I thought Id do some hom work before i went in. Ive got 2 hours to do it in before the shop opens.

Ant help would be much appreciated.

PS its my girlfriends boss that needs the work done

 

[polo1]

Does each light have it's own transformer; are the non working lights on different dimmers? Bit more info would help.

If it's individual transformers, chances are that's your problem - just check the outputs.

Cheers

 

[telectrix]

are they LEDs or 35watt halogens?

 

[nick182]

yeah each row is on a dimmer switch. I havnt inspected it yet but from what i can gather id say each light would be on its own transformer but wouldnt that be expensive? I havnt had much experience with lights and transformers as yet but how many lights can u use to one transformer?

theres 3 rows of 10 lights and about 5 to 10 random lights dont work so I can imagine that they would be on their own transformer. That sounds about right doesnt it?

 

[nick182]

I havnt inspected them so i cant say for sure. I think they could be LED

 

[polo1]

Sounds like it could be the individual lamps and/or transformers/drivers - you really need to have a look.

 

[Mr Mike]

Nick, a dimmer can give you problems if its not rated appropiately. You will need to find out how many lamps are on each dimmer for load purposes and some crabtree dimmers have a fuse in them - also this particular dimmer has a replacement fuse located below the fuse carrier. Good luck,...... is marrige on the cards if you sort this problem !!!!!!

 

[mark1979]

as polo says it could just be the lamps. if its a shop they're likely to be on all day 5 or 6 days a week. take 10 lamps with you when you go to look at it. you can always leave the extras as spares.

 

[Engineer54]

So your not sure if these lamps are Halogen or LED's ...Right?? I know from my own experience, that M11 halo's are a pain in the butt almost as bad as the G10 halo's as far as reliability goes. We've had no end of lamp failures on my projects, to the point that i'm looking this time round at alternatives, be it LED or anything else that's available on the market. ...That's a little way off in the future though!!! lol!!

 

[telectrix]

if they're 12v halogens, you'll also find the problem of burnt lampholders. check the pins on the lamp when you remove them. if they're black........

 

[Engineer54]

if they're 12v halogens, you'll also find the problem of burnt lampholders. check the pins on the lamp when you remove them. if they're black........

That was one of the biggest problem we had with 12V lamps, ....those dammed feeble pin connections on the equally flimsy lamp-holders....

 

[nick182]

Nick, a dimmer can give you problems if its not rated appropiately. You will need to find out how many lamps are on each dimmer for load purposes and some crabtree dimmers have a fuse in them - also this particular dimmer has a replacement fuse located below the fuse carrier. Good luck,...... is marrige on the cards if you sort this problem !!!!!!

marriage could just well be on the cards if i get this right... lol thanks for the insight.. I plan to inspect everything once im in there. cables, fuses, lamps etc

thanks buddy

 

[nick182]

i believe that they have been replaced already. Should I just take the lamps anyway?

cheers

 

[nick182]

So your not sure if these lamps are Halogen or LED's ...Right?? I know from my own experience, that M11 halo's are a pain in the butt almost as bad as the G10 halo's as far as reliability goes. We've had no end of lamp failures on my projects, to the point that i'm looking this time round at alternatives, be it LED or anything else that's available on the market. ...That's a little way off in the future though!!! lol!!

ill be sure to keep that in mind. thanks for the tip mate. Much appreciated. thanks!

 

[nick182]

ok i know how to do the job but how do i go about pricing the work?

How much should i charge the customer to get the job done? do i include a call out fee etc?
what do u guys think?
Obviously, i dont want him to feel ripped off and I dont want to short change myself either.

should i go along with this website for now? http://www.whatprice.co.uk/

thanks guys