Quote:
Originally posted by Pelican
I think what you are seeing is oxidation of the bulb contacts which prevents them from getting power. My first job with low voltage lights I experienced this. You'll have to remove the bulbs, buff the wire contacts lightly with fine sandpaper, then reinstall using dielectric grease which can be found at an auto parts store. This will prevent the oxidation from reoccurring.
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Test the bulbs with an ohm meter. Looking at them doesn't always tell the story. (If you have resistance, obviously you have a good bulb.)
I think Pelican is giving good advice here. I made it part of our standard installation proceedure to use dielectric grease or RTV silicon on ALL outdoor lighting jobs. It doesn't take much, but make sure you coat the pins completely just before slipping the bulb into the socket. Just pushing the pin into the nozzle end of the tube works pretty well. Depending on the brand of lights the silicone will help hold the bulbs in place if the maintnance guys have a habit of kicking or tripping over the fixtures. I began using silicone over 8 years ago and after many bulb changes (we maintained lighting systems alsol) I've found it helps the socket life as well.
The next step of course is the wire connection. Have you guys figured out yet that the little "in-line quick connectors" most companies provide with the lights are junk?
Hope that helps...
Bill