Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im at work, so I cant dig up any brand names, forgive me please. A while back I purchased a set of 3 lights from Lowes. Halogen, 15 watts and they are meant for under cabinet installation, either recessed or just surface mounted. They install in series also. I have my Critter cages on shelving, so I installed the lights under the shelves to shine down into the tanks below and had it all on a timer. 2-3 days after installation, I blew a bulb. It wasnt finger grease on the bulb, Im aware of those precautions. So I replaced the bulb. Then a few days later, the same light blew again. So I bought a new set of lights and rpl'd the whole light assembly. Then in the next few days 2 lights blew. Somewhere in the middle, I took out the timer thinking maybe voltage was an issue.
I've purchased another kit, but I dont want to open it and go thru a bunch of hullabaloo again. Anyone ever used this product? I've seen the company package the lights in groups of 3 and 5, they come in silver, gold and black. The package is clear rigid plastic vacuum packed around the lights.
HELP!!!! Im frustrated
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

the only thing i could think of is it could be a possible surge coming through when the timer cuts on. make sure your timer is able to handle the wattage you're putting on it (which shouldnt be a problem - most timers will handle a minimum of 300 watts.) Other than that, it sounds like you got a bad set of lights. I sell the same type of a different brand at home depot. I have them in my house and havent had a problem, and i've never had anyone come to me with a problem about them.

The only thing I can think of is what kind of ventilation do you have for these fixtures? Halogens get very hot, and unless you have sufficent ventilation no matter what you do, you will be blowing out these lights. Either have a front or back opening so the heat can get out.
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

My Website
N. American Rat/Corn snake care sheet I wrote
Information on substrates

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
0.1 Texas Bairdi (Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Monty)

The lights Lowes sells are IMHO crap due to the y are low voltage and use transformers to step down the voltage. these are cheap lights to start with and a halogen doesnt take much to blow as stated finger oil , dust etc etc will blow them however i use the 20w halogen that are 120v and use no transformers therefore a real voltage is to them at all times.I use to install high dollar low voltage ones in kitchens when i did remodels and cabinets. These were not cheap but used a real stand alone transformer to supply voltage the ones you are getting have a very cheap transformer that i imagine allows voltage output to vary and there for blows the lowvoltage 15w bulb it has being it cant handle a voltage surge to them.
if you like the halogens goto home depot they sell the 120v models they will still have bulbs go from time to time but i have used these type for years in my cages and never had major issues with bulbs blowing alot , yes they do blow easier then a reg light because of heat produced but there a good light
hope this helps ya some lol
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Buisnesses come and go everyday, what keeps you here is how you treated the customer the day before....My Boa Can Kick Your Boas _ss!www.cheapcages.com

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edited sig file 2/8/05

Thanx. I'll certainly take that to heart. I'll have to try "the Orange Store". Our Lowes and HD are right across from one another and I keep saying one and meaning the other, so I've reduced myself to saying the Orange store and the Blue store. Typically I shop at the Blue one just because Im familiar with the floor layout.
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

i work at home depot, we have a lowes right across the street from us. I came up with the term "the red and blue flames of home improvement hell" to describe them, lol.

however if i'm doing a big project or making a large purchase i will shop over there as well.
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

My Website
N. American Rat/Corn snake care sheet I wrote
Information on substrates

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
0.1 Texas Bairdi (Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Monty)