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Seagull UC lighting question, transformer size??

17 years ago

Ello All

Man ain't this board great!! Nice to see people come together to help one another. OK on to the question.

I decided on the Seagull linear under cabinet system. http://www.seagulllighting.com/Linear-Lighting.htm

I'm just not sure on which transformer to use. Looking to put 28-30 lampholders in with 10W bulbs so I'll need a minimum of a 300W transformer. I'll have two seperate runs of approximately 15ft each coming from the transformer located in the basement.

1) What is the difference between single output multi-tap and dual output?

2)12V or 24V?

My transformer choices are

300W Single Output 12V

300W Single Output Multi-tap 12V

500W Single Output 24V

500W Single Output Multi-tap 24V

600W Dual Output 12V

Thanx

D

Comments (2)

bignick
17 years ago
1) Go to the Seagull transformer page and download the instructions. Especially with low voltage, you have to be concerned with voltage drop. The longer the run from the transformer to the bulb, the more voltage drop which means the light output will be lower. If it's a long run, you can use one of the other taps and feed the farther bulbs with a higher voltage. You have to test to make sure you do not exceed 12.5 volts at the bulb.

Dual output is so you can run two separate runs off of a single transformer.

Each manufacturer differs, but I think anything less than 30 feet (transformer to the farthest bulb) and voltage drop should not be a problem.

2) 12V or 24V? Use whatever your bulbs are rated. Most likely 12V.
home_nw
17 years ago
Hi - We went with Seagull under-cabinet lighting too. I got a copy of their "Ambience" catalog from our local lighting store. It gave a lot of information, but I finally realized that because of issues like those that bignick mentioned, the subject was too tricky for me to be sure I was doing it right. I contacted the local Seagull sales rep (you can probably get the rep's name from your local Seagull dealer), and he very kindly drew up exactly the layout and parts we needed. It was great! The biggest surprise was that the lady at the lighting store who was initially "relaying" what the rep said was completely wrong. I'm so glad we got the expert involved! Also, our electrician had a question while he was installing the wire, and he was able to call the rep directly, which helped too. Good luck! Ours isn't completely installed yet, so I can't report on the end results, but I have high hopes. :-)
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Thanks for the responses! It reinforces my belief that Seagull is a good system to go with. I just called their Tech Support and was told that I can use my current 120V wall switch wiring with a new dimmer switch that feeds electric to the transformer. The transformer then outputs 12V electric to the actual lighting system. The transformer can handle 2 line input for the track wiring so if I place an electric transformer in the middle of my L shaped cabinet area I can run the lights to a distance of 10 feet either side of the transformer before there is any wattage dropoff. The electric transformer has a max 150W load which should be more than enough for what I need on the that portion of my kitchen. Larger spaces need to use the magnetic transformers which carry higher loads and allow longer wiring tracks for lights. I hear that electrical is better than magnetic though if you can go with the load and length restrictions. My desk and butler pantry areas which are across the room will still need separate transformers and switches but that is acceptable to me. So I hope to start out by installing the Seagull system in my kitchen cabinet area first and see how I like it. Then will add the other 2 areas at that point. I still appreciate any additional input, comments or personal experience with this or similar systems. Love the information that comes out of these forums. It has saved me many times from making wrong decisions, plus it sure helps me to focus on issues I would otherwise not even be aware of. Thanks!
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