Why Wont My Low Voltage CFL Work On My Transformer
Energy Efficient Lighting, General Technical Stuff April 17th, 2009We have a outside coach light running a 60w low voltage light running of a HPM transformer, this has been operating for a number of years and we decided to upgrade the globe to a new compact fluro 12v 20watt globe.
When we replaced it it lit up well and we went inside. After we went out to look at this globe and it was off, I looked inside the lamp housing and a bad smell and hot base on the fluro globe.
We replaced it with the original globe and this worked ok ,so could you tell me what could be the problem.
The fluro globe has this on the box; HLDCSCT4/58-20W 12V 3000K B22. The transformer has this info; HPM CATRGL11 230-240 V 50Hz AC 150 Va max
Thank you for your help
Brian.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Hi Brian
What a great question. The reasoning for the answer goes back to high school when they taught us about the difference between direct current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC)
The compact fluorescent globe you are trying to run is made for DC (they are probably similar to these I guess http://lightingpro.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=63_64&products_id=129)
The transformer you are running is AC !(like this one http://lightingpro.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=63_64&products_id=72 )
Although both are 12 volt there is a difference!
The incandescent globe you were running will run on both AC and DC
The compact fluorescent wont cope with AC current as there are electronics inside it that are used to start and run the fluorescent globe!
You will have to get a new DC transformer or go back to the old school incandescent globe
I hope this makes sense
Kind regards
Daniel
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Daniel Purser
Lighting Pro Australia
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