home halogen lights

EarPlug · Mar 30, 2005

Moon,

I am a big fan of those lights also. What happens is the triac on the dimmer board goes bad. What I did is to get some toggle switches and replace the internal dimmers. Then I just decide haw much light I want and get either the 250 watt or 500 watt bulbs.

Jack

Highbeam · Mar 30, 2005

There is a decent amount of current running through that switch. I would be concerned about a crumby connection heating up.

They may have gone the way of 5 gallon toilets.

Moon · Mar 31, 2005

I'm going to replace the switch and see if that fixes it. Some have the dimmer, but this one has the two position switch. I always use it on full anyway so I might try a simple toggle switch also. I know it's 110, but what else do I need to know to get the correct replacement switch at Radio Shack? ByronBob mentioned earlier that Radio Shack might have the halogen lights, if they do I'll let everyone know once I've checked.

( crumby connection )
Highbeam,
What kind of connection is that? I thought it might be a typeo for crummy ...but I'm not sure.

Thanks all,
Moon of Ohio

EarPlug · Mar 31, 2005

Moon,

You will need at least a 5 amp rated switch. 10 amp would be better.
I (amps) = P (watts)/E (voltage).
4.2 amps = 500 Watts/120 Volts

Get the switches with the wire pig tails already on them. I would suggest soldering them in place and insulating the connections with heat shrink tubing. Technically you want to switch the Hot side with the Neutral being wired straight through to the lamp. Depending on the switch you get you may need to ream out the mounting hole.

Jack

Moon · Mar 31, 2005

( Technically you want to switch the Hot side with the Neutral being wired straight through to the lamp. )

Thanks for the tips EarPlug. By the way, good handle you got there! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I planned to solder. Heat shrink tubing and a switch with pigtails are good suggestions. I had not thought of either. I was going to check Radio Shack for a switch but I've never seen switches with pigtails in there. I suppose I'll have to go to Lowes or somewhere like that. But, how can I tell which is the hot side and which is neutral? On this part I'm lost. I do have a multimeter, but I mainly use it to check continuity and voltage.

Thanks,
Moon of Ohio

Highbeam · Mar 31, 2005

A crumby switch is like a crummy switch but with a b. I would have used the two p word but I worry it may have been censored. I suppose a faulty switch is more descriptive.

EarPlug · Mar 31, 2005

Moon,

When you take apart the old switch it will most likely be a little circuit board. One of the wire coming from the plug end will go strait through the circuit board to the lamp end. Take these 2 wires off the board and splice them together. The other wire from the plug end will go into the board and through the dimmer to the lamp. Just connect the switch to these 2 wires.

I found the switches at either Home Depot or Ace Hardware.

Jack

The handle "Earplug" comes from the fact that I manufacture earplugs

Moon · Apr 1, 2005

Thanks guys!
I'm going to give it a try this weekend. I'll pick up the supplies today. I'm not sure how even a mini circut board could fit through the little hole which the switch knob sticks out of ...might have to cut the hole a bit bigger. It's supposed to rain here this weekend anyway (again!) ...so i need an indoor project or two. Maybe I'll fix the light while making some jerky! Gotta love TBN for giving you ideas for different stuff.

Thanks again,
Moon of Ohio

KAB · Apr 1, 2005

I was just a Lowe's and they had some in stock. Black, Halogen, 3 position switch (I think), and a wire mesh cover over the bulb. Price was under $20.00.

Kurt

rozett · Apr 2, 2005

We found the replacement bulbs at HD.

The thing I hate about this lamp is the smell when it barbecues a fly. We have horses, so you can't get rid of the flies. When one flies near the bulb, it expires. Flies don't smell good when they are roasting. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif