Key takeaways
- Voltage drop dims fixtures at the end of long runs
- Old lamps and corroded connections cut output
- Transformers should be loaded to about 80 percent or less
- Measure voltage to find the real cause
Voltage drop
Low-voltage lighting loses voltage along the wire. A long run, thin wire or too many fixtures on one run all make the lights at the far end dim. Ideally the last fixture on a run receives close to the same voltage as the first.
Fixes include heavier wire, splitting a long run into two, moving the transformer closer or adding a tap on a multi-tap transformer.
Old lamps and connections
Halogen lamps fade as they age, and corroded connections add resistance. Lenses fog and collect mineral deposits, which cut light output. Replacing lamps, cleaning lenses and remaking connections with waterproof connectors often brings a system back to life.
If sockets are corroded, replacing the fixture may be better.
Transformer problems
An overloaded transformer cannot deliver full voltage, and a failing one may flicker or hum. A common rule is to load a transformer to about 80 percent of its capacity or less.
A professional can measure voltage at the transformer and along the run to find which cause you have.
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Quick answers
Can I fix dim lights myself?
You can clean lenses and replace lamps. Measuring voltage and reworking wire or the transformer is best done by someone with a meter and experience.
Why are only some lights dim?
Usually the dim ones are at the end of a long run, or share a bad connection. Tracing the circuit points to the cause.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.