Floodlight query

[Marbles]

I have been trying to repair a 400w son-t floodlight which has the control gear at the base of the pole and just the lamphlder and lamp in the fitting at the top. The light would not work so in order 1: the lamp was replaced but no joy 2: the ignitor was replaced but no joy 3: the ballast was replaced but no joy 4: the lamphlder and flex up the pole to the top were replaced and checked for good connections but no joy 5: supply was checked and was fine a good 240v. As a next step the old lamphlder was connected via short leads off the output terminals with another new lamp and would work?? Try the flex up to the fitting and it won't try? A longer flex of 10mtrs was connected to the output terminals at the bottom and that would not work either? After 4hrs scratching my head I could do with some new suggestions!

 

[Darkwood]

Was the correct lamp used .. excuse my assumptions but if you have a separate ignitor did you ensure the lamp was without intregral ignitor.. seen this mistake done so many times and tends to take out the control gear ignitor as well as the lamp. Also have you checked the lampholder connections as it is common for a burnout on one of the connections which isn't obvious without a visual inspections of the actual terminations.

 

[Marbles]

Both lamps were external ignitor, and lampholder centre pin is not worn or burnt.

 

[Darkwood]

I would also check the wire going up the pole, its common to find these with breaks where the wind can rock the pole and it has the cable whipping the sides... If all fitted is new and working, and you have checked all the basics then I would if you can start swapping out with gear that you know is working - (if you have other fittings that is to pinch parts from).

I take it you have tested the cable rise to ensure you are not putting a fault on the new gear?

Lastly just worth a check that the central L pin on the lamp holder isn't too far back, it may need springing forward, you might not have a complete circuit otherwise.

 

[Marbles]

I have changed the cable that goes up the pole as the other looked uv damaged where it leaves the pole and goes into the fitting, the centre pin looks fine I've had both lampholder working at the base of the pole but nothing will work once you put a longer length of cable on them?. I've repaired son-t fittings for years but this is not logical?

 

[markc123]

Have you got 230 at the bottom of the pole? When you're connecting both up at the bottom are you connecting into the incomer or outgoing of the street light furniture ? Could be the cartridge fuse at the bottom?

 

[markc123]

Also i've seen street lights with sensors half way up the pole - the wire from the bottom isn't jointed out into a button sensor half way up is it ? Hence, working at bottom because you're bypassing it and then not working at the top because the sensor isn't covered?

 

[Marbles]

The lampholders were connected to the outgoing terminals of the control gear circuit where the flex that goes up the pole would be. Can't get my head round why with short leads 10in long the lamp will work but with a 10 mtr lead it will not??

 

[Richard Burns]

I seem to remember that ignitors do not like to work over a distance, though they ought to work over a reasonable length but it may be worth looking for the more long distance ignitors

 

[Marbles]

No sensor on the pole just fed via a contactor, the supply is good as there are two more poles on the same circuit after the one I'm working on and they are working fine?

 

[Marbles]

I'm using a newlec nligtr6 100-400w ignitor which I've used many a time before at the foot of poles and the have always done the job fine?

 

[markc123]

I Know you've checked the supply, but i'd be inclined to put it all back together and stick my test probe into the lamp holder when its in place at the top - see if you have 230 there - you could find you've got a broken neutral or something somewhere and thus not receiving 230v at output.

 

[Marbles]

I have put 240v straight onto the flex going up the pole and have read 240v in the lampholder, only problem is when the control gear is in circuit then the voltage at the lampholder is then too much for a multimeter ?

 

[markc123]

I have put 240v straight onto the flex going up the pole and have read 240v in the lampholder, only problem is when the control gear is in circuit then the voltage at the lampholder is then too much for a multimeter ?

Are you sure you've replaced everything with 'new' ? saying that even new is dubious these days.

Sounds like you've got faulty equipment. Follow it all the way to to the top. Test on the outgoing of the ballast, see what you have there.

 

[Gazthesparky]

I carnt find the instructions to the igniter listed but I know that igniters are funny about being far away from the lamp itself. The picture I have found it looks like a standard igniter.

I would temporary connect the igniter next to the lamp holder and ballest at the bottom to confirm it works. If it does I would say the igniter doesn't like being far from the lamp. I think a standard igniter can be up to a meter away from the lamp after that it won't work.

I am 99% sure that will be the problem

I've used a tridonic igniter especially designed to be far away from the lamp but I carnt think of the product number because it's been a few years since I've used them. It's a small slim white product maybe contact tridonic manufactures they will be able to assist