Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - New Lights dimmed in chain

I have in my kitchen a single light (older round fluorescent tube) that doesnt give off much light in the 10' x 10' room. So, I figured I would install a pair of pendant lights (35x halogen lights). I used the same power source my existing light was on (the 6th light of 100w or less, on a chain that is using 12/2 on a 20amp breaker), and installed a second switch, installed the bulb and it worked. It looked great.

So then, I ran the wire from that new light to the second pendant, so that they could both work of the same switch. I installed the bulb, turned it on, and both lights were working at half their output, very dimmed.

I triple checked my wriing, and it all looks good (per the Home Depot 1-2-3 books). I am not sure what I did wrong. Any ideas? :(

Clearly the two lights are wired in series. But if you want us to spot the error, you'll need to give us the details. Tell us how many cables are in each box, how many wires are in each cable and what their colors are, and how everything is connected. Do that for the switch box too, even though you didn't change that.

Ok, let me try this.

Ran 12/2 wire from power source in existing kitchen light. Ran Black wire to white wire of switch in the 1st light fixture box. Ran the White wire to the white wire of the 1st light, and also connected to the wire leading to the 2nd light fixture box, connecting that to the white wire of the 2nd light. Connected the black wire from the 2nd light fixture to the black wire that leads back to the 1st fixture, and connected that to the black wire on the 1st light fixture and the black switch wire existing in the 1st light fixture box.

That sounds right, right?

I can't tell whether it's right or not unless I know how many cables and wires are in each box. Of course, we know it's not right based on the results.

I cant describe better than that. My description tells which wires are in each box. One wire in the switch, 3 wires in the 1st light, and 1 in the 2nd light. The 3 wires in the 1st light box are to and from the switch, to and from the power source and 2 and from the 2nd light. Not sure what else you are looking for.

You should have this in the first light box.
White from switch to black from power source.
All the rest of the black should be together.
All the rest of the whites should be together.

Which is what I think you said but I am not 100% sure because it should be working if that is what you have.

I guess this is why I am having a hard time. Everything I look at tells me that its wired correctly. Is it possible the the light fixtures themselves aren't capable of working in a daisy chain or sequence? Maybe the bulbs? Or maybe the switch itself??

One wire in the switch, 3 wires in the 1st light, and 1 in the 2nd lightWhen you say "wire", are you referring to one individual conductor (what I would call a "wire"), or are you referring to a set of wires in a sheathing (what I would call a "cable")?

If the former, then identify the color of the insulation on the wire (or call it "bare" if there is no insulation on the wire).

If the latter, then identify the number of wires contained within each cable, and the color of the insulation on each wire.

Ok, lets try this a third time...

Ran 12/2 cable from power source in existing kitchen light. Ran Black wire of cable to white wire of cable for switch in the 1st light fixture box.

Ran the White wire from cable from power source to the white wire of the 1st light fixture, and also connected to the white wire for the cable that leads to the 2nd light fixture box, and in the 2nd light fixtures box, I connected that to the white wire of the 2nd light.

Connected the black wire from the 2nd light fixture to the black wire for the cable that leads back to the 1st fixture, and connected that to the black wire on the 1st light fixture and the black wire for the cable that leads back to the switch.

One cable in the switch, 3 cables in the 1st light, and 1 cable in the 2nd light. The 3 cables in the 1st light box are to and from the switch, to and from the power source and 2 and from the 2nd light.

Is that any better of a description?

Ran Black wire of cable to white wire of cable for switch in the 1st light fixture box.I cannot successfully parse that sentence.

nevermind....its not worth the hastle

Disconnect the black and white going to the second light and tell us what happens.

Like I stated in my original post, when I installed the first light, it worked fine. When I attached the wires to the second light, it dimmed 50%.

Hi,

I am not a profesional, but have noticed that your wiring seems to be correct. Check your new lighting. Make sure that they are installed properly with your feeding wires (ie: Fixture to cable: black to black/white to white). The problem may also come from your power source. Disconnect the fluorescent and go straight to your new set up. It is a long shot. I wonder if it is possible that a voltage drop would effect your lighting? Like I mentioned above, I am not a pro so this advice is purely speculative.

Good Luck!

J.

Well it sure sounds like you have them wired in series but your description does not support that. So either you are not describing it correct or there is something very strange at work here.
It seems like it might be time to call and electrician.