Mr16 Transformers

[Steviecuk]

Am I right in thinking that if I had a 12v 28w constant current transformer then I could wire up as many 5w MR16s in series until I get to 28w or just below? Ie 5x 5w MR16's? Or have I got it wrong?

Cheers.

 

[Marvo]

If you wire the lamps in series the circuit is a voltage divider ie one lamp would have 12v, 2 lamps would mean 6v per lamp, 3 lamps would mean only 4v per lamp and so on. Multiple lamps on a single transformer would usually be wired in parallel formation.

 

[Steviecuk]

If you wire the lamps in series the circuit is a voltage divider ie one lamp would have 12v, 2 lamps would mean 6v per lamp, 3 lamps would mean only 4v per lamp and so on. Multiple lamps on a single transformer would usually be wired in parallel formation.

Thanks Marvo. Oh of course. Series divides voltage and parallel sort of divides current right? So it is acceptable to run several lamps in parallel as long as long as the transformer is rated at the total wattage of the lamps added together?

 

[Taylortwocities]

For parallel You need a 12v constant VOLTAGE transformer. The max number of lamps will depend on the max VA that the tranny is rated for.
You do not want the lamps in series for most applications. In series, if one lamp blows, they all go out!!

 

[Steviecuk]

If I post a pic of what I plan to do, are you ok telling me if it's ok?

 

[Darkwood]

Not sure of your age but remember xmas tree lights where one blew they all went out, finding it was a bugger too on the time consuming scale.

 

[Darkwood]

Not sure of your age but remember xmas tree lights where one blew they all went out, finding it was a bugger too on the time consuming scale.

 

[Steviecuk]

Yes I got confused between the too. I did mean parallel. This is a quick schematic I drew up on my theoretical plan. Viable? Workable? Correct? :mamazed:

The dimmer is LED compatible.
Forgot to mention, the cable connecting the MR16s in parallel and the LED strips is 2 core, 32 strand, 12v, 6a.

 

[Steviecuk]

Anyone?

 

[amlu]

you do not need a constant current driver for mr16 lamps, they already have their own built in. you need a constant voltage one, 230v AC to to 12Vac
standard dimmable kind as used for zone1 spotlights will do.

and make sure that whatever you will use for led tape power supply (230ac to 12v DC) will be happy on a dimmer.

http://www.ledbenchmark.com/faq/Transformers-for-MR16s.html

 

[Steviecuk]

Thanks for that link. It's a good one. I've decided I'm going to ditch the MR16s as there's not much point. I'm going to run L3 straight to 5x dimmable GU10's and only have the white LEDs running through the transformer. I have just bought a 48w transformer and an LED 'comparable' dimmer. Not sure if it's leading edge or training edge. Guess I'll find out when it comes and I hook it up. Lol.