No overhead kitchen lights - transformer issue - dimmer & kable lights
I've been around and around for days with Tech Lighting, Edge Lighting and Lightology about my kable lighting system with K hello heads (700khello3) and MR16 bulbs (9W LEDs) not working with the DVLD-600P dimmer that is compatible. We have 4 transformers for 4 separate kable runs.
It turns out that my Tech Lighting system is connected to 4 Edge Lighting transformers. I'm told that should not be the problem and although both Edge Lighting and Tech Lighting said the warranty will be voided if we connect the system using competitors parts. The owner of Lightology agreed in writing to cover the warranty period.
The electrician tested 1 k-hello head on the transformer in the walk-in closet. He did not connect or test the kitchen lights. The light worked but once the dimmer was connected, the light would not turn on at all. I called Tech Lighting and was told to confirm the part number of the transformer, not just from the order but take a photo. That is when I discovered we had 4 Edge Lighting transformers with a Tech Lighting system. I called Tech Lighting again, after taking the photo, and was told that the load could be the issue, that 1 light on the system was not enough to trigger the dimmer. The led heads are 9 Watts with 4 heads per run; over the island will have 4 heads plus 3 pendants. The transformer is 150 Watts, 12 Volts.
Per Lightology, the electrician should add all 4 heads to the kable in the closet to test the dimmer. If that does not work, they said try a second dimmer (dimmer may be the issue). If that does not work, then they need to speak with the engineers again. The tech from Edge Lighting also said it could be a load issue, but the lowest watt transformer they sell is 150 Watts.
We are moving back in this week with no kitchen lights, no closet lights and the kitchen unfinished (cabinet layout issue being fixed that I detailed in another post http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4177457/ikea-cabinet-install-help-does-this-look-strange#18411511
Any ideas what could be causing the dimmers not to work?
Our kitchen was designed around this lighting (not allowed to drill into the ceiling) so we have no overhead kitchen lights if this system does not work. The electrician used 12 gauge wire and the transformers are very close to the kables, not sure if this is important, but I was asked.
test of 1 k hello head without dimmer
kitchen lighting layout with transformers
Comments (14)
Katrina Tate
7 years agoBut my foyer light and bathroom lights look awesome!
Details of bathroom lighting problems are here: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4145873/closing-walls-today-does-this-look-ridiculous-sconces-with-mirrors
sheloveslayouts
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Need opinions for overhead lights on island
Comments (54)How large are the current fixtures? I suggest getting balloons and blow them up to the diameter of the fixture under consideration and hanging them off the current fixtures to get a sense of size. Or you can do the same thing by crumpling up newspaper and stuffing plastic grocery bags to the right size. This is all about scale so a mock up of some sort would be most helpful for you. While I like the style of the current fixtures, I could never go with that for cleaning purposes...they are dust collectors. The bell shape would be more practical. I notice an odd optical illusion though in your pic....because the height of the cabs behind the fixtures isn't even, it makes the fixtures look like they are hung at different heights.......See MoreUndercabinet lights or recessed lights for task lighting in kitchen ?
Comments (9)"We are taking down an extra large square fluorescent light and replacing it with one two-bulb type flush mounted light and maybe another if need be then also adding a pendant over the sink." It will depend on the size and layout of the kitchen. One flush mount will not work as good as the fluorescent for two reasons. (1) The fluorescent puts out 6.5 times as much light. A 4' fluorescent with 4 tubes (2600 Lumens × 4 = 10400 Lumens) A two bulb flush mount w/60 watt bulbs or equivalent (800 Lumens × 2 = 1600 Lumens) (2) The surface mount fixture's light source comes from exactly 2 points that are very close together. The fluorescent light source has infinite sources of light within that 2' × 4' area which spreads the light out better, causing less noticeable shadows. With the fluorescent, the light reflecting off of all the other surfaces in the kitchen is also bouncing off at a more infinite number of angles, (compared to just from the pinpoint light source of the standard fixture) further contributing to the feeling of even light in the kitchen. . Pendant lighting that is bright enough to really contribute to the overall lighting of a room will also be glaring, since it is down closer to eye level. Pendants are fine for specific task lighting or mood lighting. Under cabinet lighting can also be a bit glaring if it is relied upon for more than half the light needed for a task. Keeping the under cabinet lighting out close to the face of the cabinet helps. Using two surface mounted luminaries on the ceiling will help spread out the light sources and help the light bouncing off of the cabinets light the room more evenly. Whether I would use fixtures with two or three bulbs depends on how big the kitchen is, how much light you are used to, and how intricate your tasks are. 800 Lumens × 6 bulbs is still only 4800 lumens, or less than half of what you currently have. You could try taking out two of the tubes and living with it for a while to help decide how many fixtures you want on the ceiling. . The difference between two 3-bulb fixtures and recessed cans over the outside edge of the countertop should not be enough to worry about as long as you have the under cabinet lighting and the pendants. There is a trade off between the two types of lighting. The recessed lights can be put right where you need them, but the light does not spread out as evenly. The surface mount in the middle of the room can produce more unwanted shadows, but the light spreads out and bounces off everything better to counteract the problem....See MoreCan we talk about dimmers for LED lights in the kitchen
Comments (18)Heard back from Lutron: Thank you for your interest in Lutron products. We do have several low-voltage controls that could control your magnetic and electronic low-voltage transformers. Some of our most popular dimmers are the Diva and Maestro lines. Diva MLV model numbers can be found here; Diva ELV model numbers can be found here. Maestro MLV model numbers can be found here; Maestro ELV model numbers can be found here. Unfortunately, there is currently no industry standard for the manufacturing of LEDs and the performance will vary with different dimming controls. We have not tested the LED fixtures you inquired about, so we are not able to guarantee a dimming solution for them. I suggest contacting the manufacturer to see if they can give you a dimmer recommendation based on their compatibility testing....See MoreAnyone have overhead lighting switches on two sides of the kitchen?
Comments (23)Yes to having multiple two way switches, for all the lighting in the kitchen. And, yes…all dimming capable. We have 3 types of lighting fixtures in the kitchen,,,semi-flush, recessed, and under cabinet, all on three gang switchplates. At either entrance to the kitchen, we can control the lighting. We’ve never found the need to have switches for the under cab lights at the counters, as we always turn on those lights first, as we enter the room. For quick visits to the kitchen, they’re all we need. If you use Lutron switches, lighting throughout the house, and all outside lighting too, can be controled via their very nifty app. Often, while in bed (just before going to sleep), I’ll check the app on my phone or iPad. The app will tell me if any lights were left on, and where. I‘ll turn them off while under the covers, roll over and enter dreamland....See More
freeoscar
7 years agoKatrina Tate
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoKatrina Tate
7 years ago
bbtrix
7 years agoKatrina Tate
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoKatrina Tate
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoKatrina Tate
7 years agoUpdate on the transformer and dimmer issue. The retailer sent a 60 Watt transformer to test with an ELV dimmer instead of the magnetic one. It's tiny, smaller than the dimmer and much cheaper, like $65 instead of $200 for the 150 Watt transformers.
We got the package via UPS on Monday (not Next Day Air when sent on a Friday) and the lights worked fine but the dimmer did not work. The transformer was installed in a wall space near the ceiling. Today they disconnected the transformer and installed it all a different way, with the transformer installed behind the dimmer/electric box. It all seems to work with the exception of one bulb that won't fully dim. I'm just glad we have lights finally. They will install the kitchen lights once the additional 3 transformers arrive, which should be tomorrow.
Katrina Tate
7 years ago
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
7 years agoKatrina Tate
7 years agoKatrina Tate
7 years ago
bbtrix