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Old 10-09-2012, 08:47 AM   #1
wwc
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Track Lights

Ok this question has been discussed on this forum many many times and I think I have even asked this question before. However in my rapidly declining brain I cannot remember the suggestions.
I have the 2006 Mobile Suite with the l2 volt kitchen track lights. I am having trouble again with the switch getting hot. Now a couple of years ago, I replaced the switch, but not sure that helped a lot. I also remember one thing that some suggested was to make sure the connections at the switch were tight and mine are.
I think I am still using the 50 watt halogen bulbs, so would it help this problem if I drop down and use the 35 watt bulbs, assuming they still make them?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
wwc
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Old 10-09-2012, 08:53 AM   #2
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That would probably be a good idea. It would reduce the load on the switch. FWIW I had a separate switch installed for the track lights. Frankly in the last 7 years of ownership I have only used them to test the circuit. We never use them at all to light the kitchen. To me they were a waste of time / money to put them in the unit. The only spot lights we do use are the bedroom reading lights.
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Old 10-09-2012, 09:23 AM   #3
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I have no idea whether this is the replacement for the offending 50W bulb or not, but with the proliferation of LED's in today's marketplace, there has to be an exact replacement out there somewhere....

7 watt LED.

Anyone try these ?

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Old 10-09-2012, 10:53 AM   #4
wwc
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track lights

Hi Gemstone,
Thanks for the information on the LED lights. Looks like that might be a good solution. However I would like to hear your thoughts on the light output of these lights. I noticed that the Kelin(color temperature)which I understand is important factor in light output is the same as the 50watt halogen. However the lumens is listed at l60, where the 50 watt is listed around 800.
Do you feel that these lights would put out enough light? It seems like this would cure the hot switch situation.
wwc
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Old 10-09-2012, 11:46 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemstone
I have no idea whether this is the replacement for the offending 50W bulb or not, but with the proliferation of LED's in today's marketplace, there has to be an exact replacement out there somewhere....

7 watt LED.

Anyone try these ?
These are only 150 lumens. Look at ebay and check out item 300788468063 these are 350 lumens
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Old 10-09-2012, 11:59 AM   #6
wwc
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TRack lights

Thanks Bob, I just found some 9 watt on the same site that Gemstone sent me that has 4l0 lumens. I think I am going to try those. I tried 35 watt Halogen, but switch still getting really hot, so I removed one light and now using two lights instead of three and switch seems to be ok now. My only concern with the LED lights is that is has a narrower beam than the Halogen. With that being said, I am going to try them. The confusing thing about this whole ordeal is that my switch has not always gotten hot. If my memory serves me right, it has only happened a few times and I am not sure why. Anyway this time seems to be the worst, as touching the switch will nearly burn you and the plastic guards on the wire are black from being so hot.
Thanks to all who have offered suggestions.
wwc
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Old 10-09-2012, 01:02 PM   #7
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I replaced ALL halogen lights in trailer with LEDs--could not be happier. But I got the cool white, not the warm white. Warm white more approximates the output of the halogens, we just happen to like the bluer hue of the cool white. But I also did not have a problem with hot switch. I think I did replace the original style of wall switch with house switch in several places due to arcing/heat.
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Old 10-09-2012, 07:41 PM   #8
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Had same issue with same switch a couple of year into owing our rig. Found the actual wire crimp on the connectors at the switch were loose. Connectors fit tight on the switch but the loose crimp was causing too much resistance and the switch got hot. After tightening the crimp, have not had any other issues.
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Old 10-09-2012, 08:01 PM   #9
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Might need to mention, at least on these older units, the switches are not wired like a normal house switch--the wires are pushed into a metal slot that cuts the insulation and make contact--no screws involved. This is where a lot of the movement happens and arcing occurs and heating results. Wouldn't hurt to look inside at the wall switch to the track lights.
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Old 10-10-2012, 04:56 AM   #10
jas24
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light switch

You might also want to check the connections at the breaker panel to make sure they are tight.

I don't think changing bulbs is going to fix your problem with the switch getting hot.

Good Luck figuring out what it is.......
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Old 10-10-2012, 08:24 AM   #11
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The reason your switch is getting hot is because the track lighting is drawing too much current. Going from 50 watts or bulbs that draw 4 Amps to 35 watts or 3 Amps is not much of a change - 6 bulbs would mean only 6 Amps difference. What I suspect is that the track to light connection is dirty - since you've never cleaned it in 7 years. I would take the track down, clean the electric slide portion with some emery paper and also the slide contact from the light. Dirt or corrosion on these can change the resistance by hundreds of ohms and increase current draw but 10 -15 Amps or more.
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Old 10-10-2012, 09:02 AM   #12
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"It seems like this would cure the hot switch situation"....

My guess is that going from 150 watts to 27 watts will take care of the heat generated from the higher current draw. Let us know how they work out.

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Old 10-11-2012, 08:42 AM   #13
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I suppose it is possible that the switch might also be bad, with dirty contacts itself. I'm just tossing that out in case it still gets hot after lowering the amp load. You could easily test it by simply pulling one of the bulbs and see if the switch still gets hot.
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Old 12-03-2012, 12:58 AM   #14
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Re: Track Lights

Quote:
Originally Posted by wwc
Ok this question has been discussed on this forum many many times and I think I have even asked this question before. However in my rapidly declining brain I cannot remember the suggestions.
I have the 2006 Mobile Suite with the l2 volt kitchen track
Peimar led. I am having trouble again with the switch getting hot. Now a couple of years ago, I replaced the switch, but not sure that helped a lot. I also remember one thing that some suggested was to make sure the connections at the switch were tight and mine are.
I think I am still using the 50 watt halogen bulbs, so would it help this problem if I drop down and use the 35 watt bulbs, assuming they still make them?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

wwc
You must use led lights for your track lights system
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Old 12-03-2012, 07:54 PM   #15
wingnut60
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Not sure 'must' is the right word...altho it sure solved my heat problems with that part of the trailer.
Joe
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Old 01-04-2013, 12:43 AM   #16
Jack in Alaska
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track lite bulb replacement

So after reading all of the above it is not obvious what bulb to use to replace the track light bulbs. THey are way too bright and way too hot when using them.
What type, model no., size, vendor to obtain 3 to replace the halogens.???
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Old 01-06-2013, 04:42 PM   #17
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Hi,

Not sure if you got a respose, or not. I replaced the halogens in my track light(s) over the center island with:

GE 4 watt (15W) MR16 Bright White Indoor LED(s)

I bought them from the "Big Box" store #48 races for here

They just "twist" into the fixtures. Run a LOT cooler.

Hope this helps. Still luvin' my "Suh-Weet"[/url]
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Old 01-06-2013, 06:22 PM   #18
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01zeosix ,

Thanks for the info. Will go buy some tomorrow.

Jack
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Old 01-07-2013, 09:04 AM   #19
Motor31
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How much did the bulb cost?
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Old 01-07-2013, 10:46 AM   #20
Jack in Alaska
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Tracklite bulbs

Motor31,

The web price at $22.97 each at Lowes.
I will check here in Casa Grande, Az. today.

Jack
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