Cable track lighting problems

[DrSGB]

I have a cable track lighting system and only 1 of the 5 lamps work. The others will flash on if I stand on my tip toes and move one with a wooden spoon, sometimes producing some blue sparks. They might even stay on for a while, but eventually dim and go off. Sometimes, if I am really unlucky none work at all. I tried replacing the lamps, and the bulbs work fine and I have taken the finger prints off trying to screw the connectors in tightly.

I would really appreciate any suggestions about how to fix this so I can have light in my kitchen.

Thanks
sarah

 

[telectrix]

probably best to consider a new fitting. go for LED lighting. wherabouts in lancs. are you? several members are in that county, and could sot it out for you.

 

[Richard Burns]

This is probably that the lamp holders that attach to the wire have been heated by the lamps and slowly become loose, eventually loose enough to not make contact.
If the lamp holders have electrical connections through the angle adjustment then this could be a point of failure, some of them can be just screwed up tight again and some require a replacement lampholder.

 

[robsparky1975]

I have a cusotmer who has this probelm,need to find him 2 x new track lights,the lamp holders are breaking down due to him using 50watt instead of 35watt maximum lamps!! poor design,when you get a replacement use l.e.d lamps as although expensive to start will last years and so will the light fitting,worth the initial outlay.

 

[Paul.M]

Richard has my vote..... Change the track light to some thing that is newer and better looking for your kitchen, no more hitting it with a wooden spoon lol.

99% the track light is faulty so get rid and put some thing in that suits your kitchen and works. Not a big job, loads of people on here can advise you on what to go for and install it without any headaches.

 

[telectrix]

think she's gone to the shops for a bigger wooden spoon. not seen since 21 hours.

 

[DrSGB]

think she's gone to the shops for a bigger wooden spoon. not seen since 21 hours.

:: I am on a painting kick so have been elbow deep in paint.


thanks so much for the responses. I hope it is ok to reply in one post- I really appreciated the individual responses and I have a couple of questions so putting it all in one response will stop me asking over and over. I think led is an excellent idea - I wanted those but my electrician was reluctant. The angle suggestion seems bang on- when I lift with the wooden spoon (safety first) and the angle changes that is when they come on. But they have never all worked so to my inexperienced eye I don't think it is wear and tear.


The thing is I really like this lighting- it is a wire type track rather than than old fashioned track lighting and if it worked it would look perfectly in my kitchen. Here comes the questions:


In terms if needing a new fitting etc- is that about the lamps themselves or something else? I did try a replacement and it made no difference. But maybe I need to change these to something totally different?

Or is the suggestion that I. We'd to change the whole thing?

Also- what are the newer alternatives that were mentioned.? I thought this was pretty new and shiny but I am intrigued that I might have missed something.

I am east lancs- I was rather burnt by my electrician and although I have spoken with others to give me a price they have been petty vague about the fix (even though they have seen the fitting rather than just heard my description)

And thanks again for your responses and persevering with my problem.

sarah

 

[Richard Burns]

If they have never worked properly from new then they were either faulty from the box or installed badly.

The replacement lampholder is replacing the whole of the unit that hangs from the wires (but not the lamps), if you can find spares for them. (although almost any 12V fitting of the same separation and cable size should work OK)

The other suggestion is to do away with the whole fitting and use something else, but persevere for a bit if you want to retain the fitting.

I am surprised that an electrician would not have been able to either define if it were repairable or unrepairable and advise you of this, if they have seen the fitting.

 

[telectrix]

as above, it should be a simple fix. if they're 12V lamps, often they rely on the screws fixing the lampholders to the wire track fo contact. these may be loose. as i said before, several members in lancashire. sure one of them could pop round and sort it out for you.

 

[DrSGB]

The replacement lampholder is replacing the whole of the unit that hangs from the wires (but not the lamps), if you can find spares for them. (although almost any 12V fitting of the same separation and cable size should work OK)

Thanks for this. Does separation refer to the distance between the wires? And how will I know the cable size?

Sarah

 

[DrSGB]

as above, it should be a simple fix. if they're 12V lamps, often they rely on the screws fixing the lampholders to the wire track fo contact. these may be loose. as i said before, several members in lancashire. sure one of them could pop round and sort it out for you.

i think I will try seeing if I can tighten (I was up there painting and the cables look very grubby anyway so I will need to clean them before anyone does anything to them).

Not sure what is the best way to find someone through here but I am willing to go that way.

sarah

 

[telectrix]

look in the sub forum " electricians unite." start at the last page as some of the earlier entries may not still be around.

 

[DrSGB]

look in the sub forum " electricians unite." start at the last page as some of the earlier entries may not still be around.

Thanks- I'll take a look.

i just cleaned and tightened everything and currently nothing is working. Gah. But at least clean!