New recess lights wont work
#1
05-31-20, 02:11 PM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 137
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
New recess lights wont work
So I replaced 6 older canned halogen recess lights in my living room with six new 6" recess led lights (canless version). That worked out beautifully.
After that, I brought eight more 4" recessed lights (can-less again) to replaced the older canned halogen recessed ones in the bathroom. The bathroom only has a black and white wires and no ground to the halogens. The wires are stranded and not solid, so instead of using the push connect I just used a wire nut. I installed as normal and didnt do anything with the ground since there is no ground. Not sure if thats the issue but the lights wont turn on. I tried tagging the white into the ground to see what that does but also nada. I know the switch is working because the green light is lit on the dimmer. There is power coming into the new lights too.. For diagnosis purposes, I disconnected the power to the chain, so that only light # 1 and light #5 has power but still light #1 and light #5 still wont light up.
I swapped out the switch to see if that was the problem but still doesnt work. The old lights work fine still if I out the old housing and lights back.
Any ideas? Here is the drawing of what I can see in the walls. I dont know how the light from #1 and #5 reach the switch but I assume they are piggtailed in the wall together?
The
After that, I brought eight more 4" recessed lights (can-less again) to replaced the older canned halogen recessed ones in the bathroom. The bathroom only has a black and white wires and no ground to the halogens. The wires are stranded and not solid, so instead of using the push connect I just used a wire nut. I installed as normal and didnt do anything with the ground since there is no ground. Not sure if thats the issue but the lights wont turn on. I tried tagging the white into the ground to see what that does but also nada. I know the switch is working because the green light is lit on the dimmer. There is power coming into the new lights too.. For diagnosis purposes, I disconnected the power to the chain, so that only light # 1 and light #5 has power but still light #1 and light #5 still wont light up.
I swapped out the switch to see if that was the problem but still doesnt work. The old lights work fine still if I out the old housing and lights back.
Any ideas? Here is the drawing of what I can see in the walls. I dont know how the light from #1 and #5 reach the switch but I assume they are piggtailed in the wall together?
The
#3
05-31-20, 02:43 PM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 137
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Its a brand new lutron dimmer, the same one that worked in the living room. The lights are halo dimmable led's. I also switched it out with a regular switch (non-dimmable).
These lights: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-HLB...-306050711-_-N
These lights: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halo-HLB...-306050711-_-N
#4
05-31-20, 03:11 PM
Group Moderator
Are the halogen lamps 2 pin MR16 lamps? If so then there is a transformer on the can junction box changing 120 volts to 12 volts. You will need to bypass the transformer and wire the socket wires directly to the incoming wires. That or just replace the bulbs to MR16 LED lamps.
#5
05-31-20, 03:27 PM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 137
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Yes! They are the MR16.. I removed the cans.. but I didnt see a junction box. I only saw wire strands directly wired to the older light... Maybe the junction box is deep in the wall. I will check.
#6
05-31-20, 03:48 PM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 137
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Okay, reached in as far as I can.. I only see the stranded wires, no junction boxes. I cant get farther because its blocked by the 2x4s. I check the other lights, and all the same, only the stranded wires.
Could there be a junction box located somewhere in the cieling or by the switch? Would that make sense that 1 box is used for all 8 lights?
Could there be a junction box located somewhere in the cieling or by the switch? Would that make sense that 1 box is used for all 8 lights?
#7
05-31-20, 05:10 PM
only the stranded wires
Are the stranded wires just individually running through a hole in the 2x4? It's uncommon to have a single transformer, but maybe that's what you're dealing with?
#8
05-31-20, 05:21 PM
Group Moderator
Okay, reached in as far as I can.. I only see the stranded wires, no junction boxes.
Would that make sense that 1 box is used for all 8 lights?
#9
05-31-20, 07:47 PM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 137
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I found the junction box. There's one huge one, but only one.. It was in the attic..
Do you think, based on the stranded wires I will need to rewire the ceilings, or can I just bypass the junction box and call it a day? They are big stranded wires but no ground.
Do you think, based on the stranded wires I will need to rewire the ceilings, or can I just bypass the junction box and call it a day? They are big stranded wires but no ground.
#10
06-01-20, 06:23 AM
Do you think, based on the stranded wires I will need to rewire the ceilings,
#11
06-01-20, 06:26 AM
Member
Hi, that’s not a junction box it’s a transformer that’s feeding your low voltage recessed lights, you can’t have a dimmer controlling that transformer, have you tested for voltage on those cables? you should read 12 volts on one of them when that transformer is energized.
Geo
Geo
#12
06-01-20, 08:40 AM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 137
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I just bypassed the transformer and connected the two lines together. Kept the same wiring in the walls for now. It looks like 12g stranded. So far the lights work now.. I probably will have to rewire for normal NMB at one point.
Without the ground and using the 12G stranded, will that be a problem long term?
Without the ground and using the 12G stranded, will that be a problem long term?
#13
06-01-20, 09:50 AM
I would not keep it like that. While it works electrically, it's against code and isn't correct.
You need to rewire from/to each device with standard NM-B wiring (14ga or 12 ga depending on the breaker size).
Do it right and never worry about it again!
You need to rewire from/to each device with standard NM-B wiring (14ga or 12 ga depending on the breaker size).
Do it right and never worry about it again!
