[jw791]

I have an old backyard lighting system, but whenever I replace the bulbs, some don't work, and others seem to burn out within a couple weeks, so I've pretty much blown it off.

The lighting system is almost 10 yrs old. It's not worth it to me to have my yard dug up and replace all the wiring - are there any possible simple solutions to explain the problem?

Thanks

[Stonehenge]

I'm not sure what type of lighting you've got, but it may not be necessary to rip up the yard, depending on where your lights are located.

That being said, the symptoms you describe sound like they could be from a few different causes - old wiring in need of replacement (and/or bad connections somewhere), a transformer (assuming it's low voltage lighting) that isn't equal to the task. What's the brand name on the transformer?

[jw791]

Originally posted by Stonehenge
I'm not sure what type of lighting you've got, but it may not be necessary to rip up the yard, depending on where your lights are located.

That being said, the symptoms you describe sound like they could be from a few different causes - old wiring in need of replacement (and/or bad connections somewhere), a transformer (assuming it's low voltage lighting) that isn't equal to the task. What's the brand name on the transformer?

Thanks,

It is an old one - an FX Luminaire, model MT-1-300.

[Stonehenge]

How is the wiring run from light to light right now? Is it through a metal or plastic conduit? Is it near the surface or underground a bit?

[SprinklerGuy]

You could have bad fixtures, but my guess is that the connections to the light fixtures themselves have either gone bad or are loose.

If you are blowing bulbs fast that is usually because not all the bulbs are on, some aren't working right?, and when that happens the lights that do have power and are working may be getting more than 12 volts....if that is the case, they won't last as long as they should.

You need someone or you need to test the voltage at each fixture....you should have between 10.5 and 11.5 volts or as much as 12...not over.

Does that old transformer have a multi tap or is it only producing 12 volts? I don't recall that one....the new FX transformers that we use have multi taps....sometimes a tap will go bad, causing the same symptoms you are describing...

Call FX or visit FXL.com and have customer service contact you...the would love to speak with someone with a lighting system that old!!!

Tony Neumann
Sprinkler Solutions, Inc.
Scottsdale, Arizona

[agla]

I signed up for a lighting design seminar put on by Unique Lighting when I was at New England Grows. You might want to see if they have a web siite or check with your supplier about a design seminar.

[jw791]

Originally posted by SprinklerGuy
You could have bad fixtures, but my guess is that the connections to the light fixtures themselves have either gone bad or are loose.

If you are blowing bulbs fast that is usually because not all the bulbs are on, some aren't working right?, and when that happens the lights that do have power and are working may be getting more than 12 volts....if that is the case, they won't last as long as they should.

You need someone or you need to test the voltage at each fixture....you should have between 10.5 and 11.5 volts or as much as 12...not over.

Does that old transformer have a multi tap or is it only producing 12 volts? I don't recall that one....the new FX transformers that we use have multi taps....sometimes a tap will go bad, causing the same symptoms you are describing...

Call FX or visit FXL.com and have customer service contact you...the would love to speak with someone with a lighting system that old!!!

Tony Neumann
Sprinkler Solutions, Inc.
Scottsdale, Arizona

Bingo! Yep, those are the symptoms. I'd actually be in the market for redoing my lighting - I only have about 5 in-ground lights.

I don't wanna do it myself, I'm just a consumer and I DON'T want to mess w/electricity. I'll check out that website...thanks!

[SprinklerGuy]

jw791.... Give me some more info......how many lights exactly and what kind of fixture? How far from transformer is the last light in the row? Are they all on one wire? Transformer have a photo cell and timer?

I can quote you prices to redo these lights and give you different configurations......pricing too. What part of Phoenix are you in? You can email me direct at sprinklersolutions@msn.com or call the office at 602-993-7700


AGLA....in my opinion Unique lighting's wiring instructions for lighting are dangerous! They use more than 14 volt taps on their transformers causing big problems when light bulbs start to blow....fires can start. Try FXL.com instead, they have seminars too!

[agla]

Thanks for the heads up Tony. I am already signed up and we are in a deep freeze, so I'll still go. I'll check out the other site.