Multiple Halogens to one Transformer

[mathmos]

Hi

I am currently doing a project and wondered how many halogen bulbs (40 watt) i could link together to one transfomer/power source.

If anyone has any thoughts on this i would appreciate any help or advise.

Thanks

 

[boatnik1]

Need More Info.
Presumeably we are talking 12v
Transformer output in ma/watts would help.
Most of these halogen lamps are either 20 or 50watt , 40 less common.

 

[mathmos]

Hi

i am very sorry but i am quite inexperienced in this field so dont have much information. If we assume 50 watt as 20 would be to little.
I was just wondering how many lamps could be powered by one transformer. Sorry for my ignorance, as i dont really know what im talking about.
Thank you very much for your reply.

 

[gadget300]

All depends on the size of the transformer. For example a kitchen undercabinet light pack, would normally consist of 3 * 20watt lamps and a 60VA (watt) transformer. As long as the total load of lamps in watts is less than that of the transformer you should be ok, remember they need to wired in parallel.
It is worth considering several smaller transformers connected to a few lamps rather than 1 big transformer doing all the lamps.

 

[mathmos]

Thats brilliant thank you gadget 300.

Would you know generally what the largest transformer you can get is?

 

[adam.h]

I would say have one transformer per light, or at least 1 per two if you want / can. That way, when a transformer dies on you, you still have some working lights and not the whole lot out.

 

[boatnik1]

As Adam says, the fewer lamps per transformer the better to reduce the risk of all the lamps going out a once should the transformer fail..
That said I have come across a 300va ( 6 x 50w lamps) lighting transformer, I'm not sure if larger ones are available.

 

[Guest123]

That said I have come across a 300va ( 6 x 50w lamps) lighting transformer, I'm not sure if larger ones are available.

Thats about the largest I've seen too that are readily available. Larger than that and your into a more specialised lighting area.

 

[cculver]

Nice posts on this subject. However can I go one step further and ask - can you link multiple transformers with halogens all into one on off switch?

I have 6 halogens - 50 w each and want to load them up with a transformer each by splitting into 3. but need them all to be operated by only one wall switch.

 

[boatnik1]

cculver
(Nice posts on this subject. However can I go one step further and ask - can you link multiple transformers with halogens all into one on off switch?

I have 6 halogens - 50 w each and want to load them up with a transformer each by splitting into 3. but need them all to be operated by only one wall switch.)



No reason why not as the total load of 6 50w transformers in parallel is less than 2a .

 

[Deleted member 9648]

With 12v lighting you also need to consider the higher current on the secondary side and subsequent volt drop on cables when linking multiple lamps to a single transformer...far better to use a dedicated transformer for each lamp and avoid those problems.

 

[nickblake]

Airlink transformer do a 1000va ,dont think i'd be able to lift it ,some of the specialist shop lighting use to have transformers capable of driving 6 100 watt lamps ,did come across a lighting problem in a house a few years ago where there were 22 12 volt lights running but no transformer guess how it was wired

 

[nickblake]

With 12v lighting you also need to consider the higher current on the secondary side and subsequent volt drop on cables when linking multiple lamps to a single transformer...far better to use a dedicated transformer for each lamp and avoid those problems.

yes a thats how i prefer to wire them well said

 

[martysparky]

I'll second that.