Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Monopoint lighting, transformers, oh my....
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chrisexv6
06-25-09, 07:38 AM
I currently have a couple ugly wall mount 2-light fixtures (kinda look like "emergency" lighting). I wanted to change over to hanging pendants and hang them on the ceiling directly above the current lights.
My question is what am I looking for in a transformer? Looking at fleabay I see many different transformers (120VAC to 12VAC, to 12VDC, etc) from many different companies in many different price ranges.
Do I need to match the xformer brand to the lighting brand? Are some better than others? (Im sure there are....any brand suggestions?)
The pendants I like are by Tech/Tellia Lighting, but their xformers are really expensive, especially compared to other brands (Sea Gull lighting, etc).
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks.
-Chris
My question is what am I looking for in a transformer? Looking at fleabay I see many different transformers (120VAC to 12VAC, to 12VDC, etc) from many different companies in many different price ranges.
Do I need to match the xformer brand to the lighting brand? Are some better than others? (Im sure there are....any brand suggestions?)
The pendants I like are by Tech/Tellia Lighting, but their xformers are really expensive, especially compared to other brands (Sea Gull lighting, etc).
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks.
-Chris
Tolyn Ironhand
06-25-09, 04:53 PM
Funny, I just hung a bunch of Tech lighting in a house just the other day.
With the Tech Lighting you have to buy the FreeJack canopy, which comes with a mini transformer that is installed into the box, that the canopy attached to. (Which can be a pain in the butt if your box has quite a few wires.) The Freejack Canopy is what the pendant connects to. That is why you must buy it if your going to get Tech Lighting.
Another option is to get the ling voltage version of the lights Tech Lighting - Systems & Collections (http://www.techlighting.com/default.asp?page=products&subpage=systemcompat&sysid=195&cls=5&nme=Pendants&systype=)[2KD] No transformer needed.
With the Tech Lighting you have to buy the FreeJack canopy, which comes with a mini transformer that is installed into the box, that the canopy attached to. (Which can be a pain in the butt if your box has quite a few wires.) The Freejack Canopy is what the pendant connects to. That is why you must buy it if your going to get Tech Lighting.
Another option is to get the ling voltage version of the lights Tech Lighting - Systems & Collections (http://www.techlighting.com/default.asp?page=products&subpage=systemcompat&sysid=195&cls=5&nme=Pendants&systype=)[2KD] No transformer needed.
chrisexv6
06-26-09, 07:28 AM
I would be adding new boxes, so the only feed into them would be for these light fixtures....so not too worried about box fill.
Im starting to realize just how expensive the stuff is though :) Im not cheap, but these arent really "mission critical" lights either. They arent used much but I figured Id try to get something that looks better than what we have now.
Any idea the quality of "Portfolio" stuff from Lowes? It all seems pretty similar to the Tellia stuff from Tech Lighting, I was wondering if Tellia/Tech make the Portfolio stuff for Lowes.
-Chris
Im starting to realize just how expensive the stuff is though :) Im not cheap, but these arent really "mission critical" lights either. They arent used much but I figured Id try to get something that looks better than what we have now.
Any idea the quality of "Portfolio" stuff from Lowes? It all seems pretty similar to the Tellia stuff from Tech Lighting, I was wondering if Tellia/Tech make the Portfolio stuff for Lowes.
-Chris
Tolyn Ironhand
06-26-09, 08:23 PM
IMO Tech Lighting is a MAJOR rip off. Like I said I have hung a bit of it and really don't see where they feel justified with the price of their stuff.
I don't know who makes the stuff at Lowes but I'm sure it is just as safe and works just as well as Tech lighting. I also saw some stuff similar at Home Depot so you may want to check them out too. I pretty much buy all my light fixtures from big box stores. Light fixtures for other people? They buy their own where ever they want.
The box fill issue I was referring to: We just installed some round remodel boxes on a job and then hung some pendants using the Tech Light "Freejack" canopy. The boxes that had only 2 - 14/2 cables but were very crowded after you installed the transformer into the box.
I don't know who makes the stuff at Lowes but I'm sure it is just as safe and works just as well as Tech lighting. I also saw some stuff similar at Home Depot so you may want to check them out too. I pretty much buy all my light fixtures from big box stores. Light fixtures for other people? They buy their own where ever they want.
The box fill issue I was referring to: We just installed some round remodel boxes on a job and then hung some pendants using the Tech Light "Freejack" canopy. The boxes that had only 2 - 14/2 cables but were very crowded after you installed the transformer into the box.