Christmas Lights

[QUINWIN]

I have some outdoor Christmas lights (80 big coloured bulbs) with an 8 function display and isolating transformer. Lights only 1 year old from Homebase but transformer doesnt appear to work so went to Homebase to try and get replacement transformer - don't sell them singly and electrical shops don't appear interested. Homebase did however give me one from a redundant display, which seems to work, although lights don't appear as bright as last year and all the orange bulbs don't work - any ideas

[Osem]

Originally Posted by QUINWIN

I have some outdoor Christmas lights (80 big coloured bulbs) with an 8 function display and isolating transformer. Lights only 1 year old from Homebase but transformer doesnt appear to work so went to Homebase to try and get replacement transformer - don't sell them singly and electrical shops don't appear interested. Homebase did however give me one from a redundant display, which seems to work, although lights don't appear as bright as last year and all the orange bulbs don't work - any ideas

Are they the sort where if one bulb fails, the rest on that secton fail? If so you just need to find and replace the dodgy orange bulb. Is the replacement transformer the same output as the original? If it's too low the lights will be dim.

[smeagoly1]

If you need a new transformer, probably worth a look at "Maplins" electrical chainstore. Should be one in or near most major cities.
That's if the new transformer isn't the same output as the old one.

[QUINWIN]

Originally Posted by Osem

Are they the sort where if one bulb fails, the rest on that secton fail? If so you just need to find and replace the dodgy orange bulb. Is the replacement transformer the same output as the original? If it's too low the lights will be dim.

Many thanks for your reply. Don't know but will try changing all the orange bulbs one by one to check - thanks for the advice. The old transformer had a label attached saying 230-240V ~ 50Hz / 24V ~ Max.20.4VA. The one Homebase gave me says on it Input 240VAC 50Hz Output 12VAC 1800mA. Homebase kept the old transformer - Guess the Output might not be the same then?

[Graham M]

From what youve put there the output is half that of the original and could cause overheating and possibly a fire.

[QUINWIN]

Originally Posted by smeagoly1

If you need a new transformer, probably worth a look at "Maplins" electrical chainstore. Should be one in or near most major cities.
That's if the new transformer isn't the same output as the old one.

Many thanks, so as long as I get a transformer with 230-240V ~ 50Hz / 24V ~ Max.20.4VA on then I should be ok yes?

This is all I can see on Maplins website?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97844

Any good?

---------- Post added at 15:30 ---------- Previous post was at 15:29 ----------

Originally Posted by Graham M

From what youve put there the output is half that of the original and could cause overheating and possibly a fire.

Any ideas where I can get a replacement transformer from with right output - just about to Google it!

[Paul]

There is normally a part number on the transformer somewhere, throw it into the search engine and you may well get a hit for it.

[QUINWIN]

Originally Posted by Paul

There is normally a part number on the transformer somewhere, throw it into the search engine and you may well get a hit for it.

Cheers, tried enterring model number (3H-C6 080 C-1) but nothing came up

[Osem]

Originally Posted by QUINWIN

Many thanks for your reply. Don't know but will try changing all the orange bulbs one by one to check - thanks for the advice. The old transformer had a label attached saying 230-240V ~ 50Hz / 24V ~ Max.20.4VA. The one Homebase gave me says on it Input 240VAC 50Hz Output 12VAC 1800mA. Homebase kept the old transformer - Guess the Output might not be the same then?

You could also try removing one of the working bulbs to see what happens. If a similar section of lights of the same colour goes out then that's a very good sign that the fault on the orange section is down to a faulty or loose bulb.

[QUINWIN]

Originally Posted by Osem

You could also try removing one of the working bulbs to see what happens. If a similar section of lights of the same colour goes out then that's a very good sign that the fault on the orange section is down to a faulty or loose bulb.

Thanks will do, although think I had better try and get hold of a more powerful transformer first - anyone any ideas where from - i have searched google without any luck!

[Rob]

For the effort involved, and the cost of a set of lights, it might be easier just to replace the whole set? If they were in guarantee, then take them back to Homebase.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Rob

For the effort involved, and the cost of a set of lights, it might be easier just to replace the whole set? If they were in guarantee, then take them back to Homebase.

Yeah but fixing lights every Christmas is addictive ...

[Tinky]

Originally Posted by Osem

Yeah but fixing lights every Christmas is addictive ...

lol!!............ are you a glutton for punishment Osem?

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Tinky

lol!!............ are you a glutton for punishment Osem?

Have you met my wife???.................