[KPS]

Hello, I just joined this site today. A friend told me about this forum and said that he has obtained much useful info on this site as well as helped others. I have encountered a problem after taking over a house renovation started by another contractor. They were given the "boot" by the homeowner after running 27 weeks beyond the estimated date of completion. These guys were hacks from hell!! (example: 34"x 86" rough openings on all interior doors, drywall installed so far from the jamb that the trim won’t even cover, 14 gauge throughout the whole house, etc... . Anyway, the problem I have is the can lights in the kitchen and bathrooms randomly turn off and back on every 5 to 10 min. does anyone know what the cause is? I’ve never seen this before and because its throughout the house don’t think it can be as simple as loose wires. any ideas would be appreciated before I start ripping down the ceiling

 

[willworkforbeer]

One hack following another hack? Another hack being you.

 

[KPS]

One hack following another hack? Another hack being you.

you dont know me or my quality of work so take your midol and go work for your beer

 

[Celtic]

Let's take it slow before we give the answer...



What do you think the problem is?

 

[KPS]

Admittedly electrical is not my strong point, but considering they are separate circuits and one here and there in a line of 8 or so I’m not sure. That’s why I’m here.

 

[BigReds]

Is there some kind of light sensor installed?

 

[Leo G]

More than likely the light bulbs in the fixtures are to large, producing to much heat and activating the thermal protection. Or they are not IC rated and have insulation to close to them.

 

[JumboJack]

My guess is they are non IC rated cans......

 

[JumboJack]

More than likely the light bulbs in the fixtures are to large, producing to much heat and activating the thermal protection. Or they are not IC rated and have insulation to close to them.

Jinx!

 

[480sparky]

Call an electrician. He'll know what to do.

 

[kawaikfx400]

Ya the thermal overloads will defintely shut up them down when they get to hot, check for the right bulb.

 

[KPS]

thanks! they do have r39 above the lights and the bulbs are 60 watt so they should be fine.

 

[JumboJack]

thanks! they do have r39 above the lights and the bulbs are 60 watt so they should be fine.

Are the cans IC rated?

 

[Tinstaafl]

But are the cans IC rated?

 

[KPS]

One hack following another hack? Another hack being you.

I got a 24 oz with your name on it if you come climb up in the attick and move that insulaiton. Maybe a 40 if you load the dumpster too

 

[KPS]

Im guessing not, but I will know first thing in the morning! I really do appreciate the help! I haven’t put many can lights in and didn’t know about the thermal overload. Thanks again

 

[JumboJack]

I was at a potential customers house the other day.He asked me about adding some insulation to his attic.I went up to look around (the cleanest,coolest attic I have ever been in BTW).
Anyway he had just had an electrician install some cans...You guessed it,non IC rated buried in blown in insulation.He was not to pleased when I pointed this out to him.

 

[Electric_Light]

. Anyway, the problem I have is the can lights in the kitchen and bathrooms randomly turn off and back on every 5 to 10 min.

It's the thermostat in the can or...
Loose connection somewhere and fire waiting to happen.
Arc interruption breaker maybe useful, but won't eliminate the chance of loose joint arcing and catching on fire.

 

[Lighting Retro]

heat overload, solve that, solve the problem

good luck!

 

[CK1]

It's the thermal overloads. No doubt. And the heat picked up by the thermals is tied into the IC issue.

The only other thing that has ever caused lines of multiple cans to turn off and on intermittently is the use of Phillips 75PAR30 halogens, and that was back in the day.

Phillips used to use + & - diodes in their PAR lamps and if you somehow wound up with the wrong combo, this is what would happen.

It took me changing out the lamps in a 30K sq.ft. home to work through that one.