Replacing Low Voltage can light transformer - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

hbelectric · 10-27-2009, 02:01 AM

Short story, a retro-fitting company( ie friend of mine), not licensed. Installed the wrong type of Occupency sensors in a beautiful multi-million brand new building and burned up 32- 277 volt low voltage magnetic ballast can lights.

He hired me to go straighten this mess out, my question would be, can I install a LV electronic ballast in each can? Should it be a manufacture spec transformer? or just any 277v magnetic trans? Or who knows where I can buy a 277v/12v transformer?

Bubbles · 10-27-2009, 08:09 AM

I don't really understand the question, but, you might want to go here and call the tech guy.

http://www.lutron.com/Products/produ...ingmount&cid=0

hbelectric · 10-30-2009, 09:12 PM

My question is should I replace the ballast, with a direct factory replacement? So far the OEM has not returned my calls or email.

They use a magnetic 277 volt ballast, but it has to fit inside the fabricated box in the can, so it can't be just any ballast.

I'm also asking if I can use a Electronic ballast, where is it defiantly smaller and easier to buy, but it is not original.

I'm concerned that I replace these ballast, with non factory replacement, I might have some type of liability issues, that I don't want. In fact, I will write in my contract, no warranty, no responsibility for jack.

Magnettica · 10-30-2009, 09:35 PM

Just replace all the fixtures unless you want to be held liable for re-using blown up hi-hats that some other "electrician" damaged badly and you rewired.

hbelectric · 10-31-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

Just replace all the fixtures unless you want to be held liable for re-using blown up hi-hats that some other "electrician" damaged badly and you rewired.

The fixtures are recessed 277v 4" IC rated can lights. New construction style, box style fixture, hard lid ceiling, no access above ceiling. Commercial office building.

I appreciate your reply, that is a pretty good idea, not possible and a remodel would not be code.

JohnJ0906 · 11-01-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbelectric

The fixtures are recessed 277v 4" IC rated can lights. New construction style, box style fixture, hard lid ceiling, no access above ceiling. Commercial office building.

It will be fun changing those ballasts.
Actually, damn near impossible.

hbelectric · 11-01-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnJ0906

It will be fun changing those ballasts.
Actually, damn near impossible.

I removed a ballst out of one, it is actually a good design, to work with.

Immanuel · 11-02-2009, 05:30 PM

I'm sure your buddy would love you to do this as cheap as possible, but if you change those ballasts out with non-standard ones .. and they give problems.. is he that much of a buddy that he'll cover the costs for you to go back and replace them a second time?

If he is? ... send me his name and number, i can always use a buddy like that.

IMO .. a ballast is a ballast, shouldn't make too much of a difference.

However once you start putting non-standard pieces in fixtures your taking on the role of an engineer and CSA ( i'm Canadian ) takes a very dim view of that.

The second problem is that God forbid there is ever a fire .. the insurance companies would eat you alive if they found out that you had replaced the ballasts with one that wasn't approved for that use.

hbelectric · 11-03-2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Immanuel

I'm sure your buddy would love you to do this as cheap as possible, but if you change those ballasts out with non-standard ones .. and they give problems.. is he that much of a buddy that he'll cover the costs for you to go back and replace them a second time?

If he is? ... send me his name and number, i can always use a buddy like that.

IMO .. a ballast is a ballast, shouldn't make too much of a difference.

However once you start putting non-standard pieces in fixtures your taking on the role of an engineer and CSA ( i'm Canadian ) takes a very dim view of that.

The second problem is that God forbid there is ever a fire .. the insurance companies would eat you alive if they found out that you had replaced the ballasts with one that wasn't approved for that use.

Thank you. The manufacturing finally got back with me, so hopefully they will tell me where to buy them or send me some free ones.

JohnJ0906 · 11-07-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbelectric

The fixtures are recessed 277v 4" IC rated can lights. New construction style, box style fixture, hard lid ceiling, no access above ceiling. Commercial office building.

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnJ0906

It will be fun changing those ballasts.
Actually, damn near impossible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbelectric

I removed a ballst out of one, it is actually a good design, to work with.

You removed it through the 4" recessed opening?

hbelectric · 11-08-2009, 11:11 PM

http://www.prescolite.com/products/s...fr_inc_025.pdf

This is the fixture, very easy to remove. My buddy just found out he is not getting paid for this job, so I don't think I will be going back for the repair. Was quoted $30 per ballast =14 ballast x30= $420+tax+labor wow what a screw up.

JohnJ0906 · 11-15-2009, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbelectric

http://www.prescolite.com/products/s...fr_inc_025.pdf

This is the fixture, very easy to remove.

Looks a lot easier than the ones I have done.

Quote:

My buddy just found out he is not getting paid for this job, so I don't think I will be going back for the repair. Was quoted $30 per ballast =14 ballast x30= $420+tax+labor wow what a screw up.

He's not being paid for the job, or not being paid to fix the screw-up?

Zinsco · 11-15-2009, 11:27 AM

There's been a couple of times I've converted existing fluorescent cans to incandescent by opening the j-box from inside the can and changing things. It's totally do-able, so changing ballasts is no big deal. But not for free.