halogen light bulbs?

Question

i have 5 x 20 watt lights on a transformer can i change them to brighter ones or will i blow up the transformer

i have them set in my window sill in the conservatory & the are my only means of lighting except for a lamp

Answer 1

If they are small round light fittings with 'peanut' size lamps, they are only made in 10 and 20 watt G4 cap, so no, you can't change them.

If they are reflector lamps (cone shaped)! called Mxxx with GU5.3 cap then you can get them in 20/35/50 watt, but if what you have is part of a 5 light kit, they may not be made with wiring or lampholders suitable for 50 watt lamps, and as stated above the transformer will almost certainly be rated at 100 watts or 105Va, so changing it may well introduce new problems.

Answer 2

As long as the transformer can supply the power you'll be ok. If you change them for 5 x 50W the transformer will need to be able to supply 250W. Most low-voltage lighting transformers cover a range of ouputs so you may be ok - look at the label on the transformer itself. If you overload the transformer, the chances are you won't damage it, it'll just cut out until you turn the lights off again.

Just out of interest, why do you want to make them brighter ? 5 x 20W is 100W, that's pretty bright already !

Answer 3

You will neeed to know what the transformer rating is.
If your transformer is not rated in watts, it might be shown in amps. Use the formula below.
Generally speaking P=V x I, where P=power, V=volts, I Current.

Power is measured in Watts, V in Volts, I in Amps.
Your power that you draw is 5 x 20= 100 Watts
Voltage is 240 Volts.

Using P= V x I you can substitute values to see if you can change the lamps.

Answer 4

If you want brighter but aren't sure about the transformer, why don't you swap to low-energy bulbs? I have a lamp with a max 60W rating, but with a low energy 20W bulb, get the equivalent of 100W lighting without overheating the fitting. Plus saves you money/good for the environment in the long term so win-win

Answer 5

I had an similar issue with a triple head gentle on a fan housing. One bulb saved going. I bumped off the cover, disconnected the wires and positioned it on the table making confident the defective socket replaced into marked. I regarded for free, burned wires and contacts, tightened up each and every thing even as i could not locate any seen complications. I placed the total unit decrease back and placed a bulb purely contained in the undesirable socket and became it on (no dimmer linked with it). I left it on even as I went downstairs to the save to purchase spare bulbs. after I got here decrease back, it hadn't burnt out and has worked ever in view that. I fastened something without even understanding what - I have considered extremely some defective furnishings that way yet, often times the issue became out to be the 29 cent bonus p.c.. of inexpensive bulbs (production facility seconds).

Answer 6

the transformer probably not blow up but it most likely has an overload cut out ( self resetting ) built into it.
you have 5 x 20w = 100 w
so you could have 2x50 w .
change the transformer to a 250w and you can then have 5x50w.
Make sure the lamp units are rated for 50w.
if not you will have to change everything.

Answer 7

what size is your transformer first and how many watts does it take if its a 100 then no or you can get a new type of halogen which is two watts and is cheaper to run and brighter see www.laserdesigns.co.uk.

Answer 8

It would depend on the maximum power output of the transformer, but it is probably designed around the existing bulbs.

Answer 9

Robert 220 says it all. Give him the money. I can't improve on it.