Skinflint Seeks Free Advice on burnt-out LED Transformer

[solarsavings]

Winston1 ?

 

[Taylortwocities]

You should get out more

 

[solarsavings]

I know

 

[GeorgeCooke]

And this is what Wikipedia says:

Transformer - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer

Perhaps they know more than Collins or the manufacturers.

PS. Interesting that someone else knows this as well. What forum or are you not allowed to say?

 

[Taylortwocities]

You are stuck with the traditional meaning of the word transformer.
These days there are many different types, and the variants are determined by the word in front of the transformer word. Hence the description above “Electronic Transformer” tells us that the change ( in the OP’s case) from 230volts to 12volts is done by electronics rather than by electromagnetic means.

For instance, a piezoelectric transformer is a type of AC voltage multiplier. Unlike a conventional transformer, which uses magnetic coupling between input and output, the piezoelectric transformer uses acoustic coupling.
* by the way, the above definition comes not from the Collins Dictionary but your Wikipedia.

Don’t complain to me, if you disagree take your beef to the makers of millions of boxes that are labelled “Electronic Transformers”. That’s what they are, that’s what they do.

Have a nice day.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

I checked both Collins and Oxford dictionaries and yes they both use this one line description. Probably a hang over from the past. But by their description a dropper resistor or capacitor would be called a transformer!

Using the term 'electronic transformer' though wrong (the frequency and waveform are seriously changed) is a get out but the OP did not use this term.

My nice day is starting now, thanks.

 

[EdTheNed]

Personally, I'd buy one of these:-

Premium Electronic Lighting Transformer 0w - 50w - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LTYT50.html

And replace the halogen lamp with an LED equivalent. Will save you electricity so you can pay a spark and won't generate as much heat thus reducing the chance of burning your house down.

It looks to me like that transformer was a little too close to the lamp.

Amazing, thanks SparkyChick! I'll do exactly that, you're a star.

 

[EdTheNed]

i've got a bagfull of them transformers, all ripped out when converting to 240V GU10LEDs. as sparkychick says. go LED. it's 2018, not 1918.

Cheers! Will be taking that advice - off to B&Q now...

 

[telectrix]

Cheers! Will be taking that advice - off to B&Q now...

bad idea. if changing to 240V GU10s, you need the transformers removing and the 240V cables connecting directly into a GU10 holder. if using 12V LEDs, then the transformers need replacing with LED drivers. it's not so simple. GU10s would be my preferred option, but i advise getting a local electrician to do this. 1. he/she will advise on the best lamps for your needs.2. DIY and get it wrong, you could be in an ambulance or a coffin, not to mention a burnt down house.

hence the term DIY... Destroy It Yourself.

 

[dksanders]

I refuse to fit 12V fittings because of the number of times I've pulled a melted, burnt transformer out of the ceiling void, and they haven't got that way by being sat on the lamp. In my opinion it's asking for trouble having something that gets incredibly hot, runs 4-5A through very small, often poorly terminated wires, then hidden out of sight where no-one sees it melting.

Fit 230V LED fire rated fittings from a reputable manufacturer. My worry with the OP is he wants to go ahead without knowing what he's doing, is not reasonable enough to be prepared to pay for advice, and is going to get his new (crap) lights from B&Q