Lighting

Hi guys, Ok, need some assistance please. Originally, I've used a Mecer Lobo 24 Volver Inverter, 2 Lithium Bats, and 1 x 200 watta solar panel connected to it with a Victron Bluepower PWN Solar controller. This all worked for about 2 years. The reason for the Solar charge controller was to help recharge the batteries, and to offer the dusk till dawn "switch" to which I bought and connected up a 24 volt external flood light that came on automatically and went off on it's own. Then I ugraded, and purchased a 3Kva RCT Pure Sinewave Inverter in Jan. Decided to do this properly, and its all in and configured as best I know how\understand from the booklet, and it's al…

Heya, so I was busy testing a UPS and figured a nice and easy load for testing would be a couple 200W floodlights. So the UPS seems to be working fine but the MOV on the floodlight input was completely fried... I am going to be getting an Oscilloscope back into the lab on Thursday, hoping to check the output of the UPS to check why it would do this. In the meantime, I was hoping to pick the communities collective minds as to why this would happen or how I can test the UPS to make sure it's not faulty?

Hi All, So I need some help. I have a surface mounted 3 gang light switch on my patio which controls my braai light and 2 outdoor spotlights. I just replaced the switch with a 3 gang smart switch. Here is where the problem comes in, gang 2 and gang 3(lights) will only turn on if gang 1 is on. There are 4 neutrals in total which I grouped together with a single wire into the neutral in on the switch (not sure if this is part of the issue?) Any help on how to resolve this so that they all operate independently? Thanks in advance.

Thinking of a bit of a hack to provide some lighting during load shedding - using 12v led strip lighting. I would appreciate criticism/suggestions to improve my idea. The Lights A couple websites advertise 12v led strip lighting. There is a 'continuous' light option. These use 9w per metre and provide 1000 lumens per metre. These can be mounted in an 'A13' corner mounting profile which fits nicely along the ceiling in most houses. You can also get a RF remote to control the lights. In my view 2m is more than enough to light most rooms. The Battery I rate the BlueNova batteries very highly but they are expensive. However, Securi-prod make a 20ah lithium…

Hi All, I'm wondering if anyone can explain this strange phenomenon that I am experiencing with my Synapse/Axpert King 5KW inverter. I have a number of light and plug circuits in my house permanently connected to the inverter and every evening the lights on one of these circuits are constantly flickering. This happens only in the evenings (never during the day) and it only happens on 1 of 3 light circuits. If I press the bypass button on the inverter, the flickering immediately stops. If I change back from bypass to inverter mode the flickering starts again. Next morning everything works fine again. Any ideas on what could possible cause this?

So during load shedding (running off hubble and sunsynk) my led down lights are on, but very dim (when the light switch is off). It almost seems like during load shedding a few volts are going through to the bulbs with the light switches off Any idea why?

Hi all, I have an issue with some rechargeable downlighters I bought for our two bathrooms - wanted to have some basic light when the bathrooms are used, so the seemingly easiest option was to get some of these GU10's with a rechargeable built-in battery, to give approx. 2hrs of light (although 2hrs is not really needed). I bought 8 of these Eurolux GU10's - 4 for each bathroom, as they were the only short stem ones I could find that would it flush in our downlight fittings: https://www.eurolux.co.za/products/G1108WW The instructions state that if the power fails, switch the switch on & off to activate the light - this does absolutely nothing, no matter wha…

Hi All I recently had a solar system installed featuring a Victron Multiplus 2 inverter. Ever since some of my LED lights glow dimly when switched off. An LED work light also glows dimly when plugged into a socket and works normally when switched on. Is this a normal characteristic of the Victron inverter? These LEDs only started glowing after the installation but the installer is suggesting that it is a wiring issue unrelated to the inverter system installation. Any suggestions appreciated.

I have a 5 kva genrator ... a meccer inverter etc etc ... made a plan to get things to work. But now at a point where i need to come up with a cheap solution for light during load shedding. I have 3 magneto LED lanterns (bought from game for R199 on special a couple years ago) positioned in the bedroom ... passage and kitchen. They generate a lot more light than i expected ...for the price and the duration they last on battery power ... i am super impressed. We even use them on site for lighting in roof spaces etc ... I could run power points to each light and leave the switch on standby mode (that would require an electrician @ R650 per plug point chased into t…

Hi all, Hope everyone is well. I have a strange request for you today. I need you to help me understand the lighting system in my house. So, it’s a normal downlight system with one exception – and this is the part that causes confusion – the downlights have a solar & battery backup for loadshedding that works well but it raises questions in my mind. Let me share what I DO know: · Downlights are MR16 GU5 (12V AC DC) and all work off the normal light switches. · Solar panel on roof, connected to charge controller in roof connected to 100ah in roof. · Also in the roof is a 12V Power Supply (Xytron GK-250-12). Oupu…

I have been thinking of changing my downlighters to LED now for some time, but have left it due to the cost and quality. Lately the LED cost have come down a bit and you do get Cool white, Warm white and Daylight colours now as well. Currently I have 12V 35W Osram IR coated downlights. The light colour and output is amazing. They have been running without fail for the past 5 years! Yes, in 5 years I did not have to replace a single globe. Compared to some of my CCFL lights that I have to replace about once a year So much for CCFL life. LED installers/suppliers now tell my I have to convert my downlighters now to 220V to take advantage of the LED's. So …

Good Day All, Busy with lighting changes at the property and have been looking around locally for an adapter that would convert screw-in to LED downlighter format. Nothing available in Joburg from local electricians. So, did some Googling and got hold of FutureLight in Cape Town (futurelight.co.za). They had edzachery what I was looking for. So I ordered 6 of the E27 - GU10 converters. They also supply others as per the attachment below. Did the order online on Tuesday morning and they were delivered this morning to Edenvale. Excellent service and the quality of the product is great. Would recommend using the supplier and the converters. MdF

Hi Guys Looking for 6w outdoor solar IP65 LED lights that work on day/night sensor. I can only seem to find ones that work via PIR. Any suggestions/manufactures Regards Limpopoboy

I recently acquired some of the the rechargeable loadshedding down-lights. I've installed them in my bathroom but now my extractor fan is dead. When I tried installing the lights in the room leading to the bathroom, the lights never turned off. It seems i might have a potential wiring issue with my downlights. Is this something common? Should I get an electrician out or is it something common with these lights?

We currently have GU5.3 down lights in our house and they are starting to frustrate me. 1) None of the lights are LED (which needs to change) 2) The whine of the DC converters in the roof is driving me insane, nearly every room's transformers buzz unbelievably loud. 3) Seems to be more variety of GU10 LED's on the market. I have a few questions though. First of all, is it worth the upgrade? I am just thinking, considering i am going to through the process of replacing the bulbs, i might as well spend the time to change the fittings and connectors to GU10 and avoid those noisy DC converters. Secondly can I do it myself? Seems I can DI…

So when i have load shedding and eskom goes down, i notice a significant dimming in my lighting(To me it appears as if they turn off completely even if only for a split second). My frezer compressor also makes quite a noise during this time. I think i can rule out DC wiring as the problem because the inverter was feeding the loads before the grid went down anyways (No sudden change in DC current). Is this normal, am i being overly observant and critical? Inverter is a Victron Multiplus II 5kva with 3xUS3000C I will try record a video of the change over happening tomorrow. EDIT My lights also flicker slightly every +-30 mins... not enough …

As the title states. I bought 3x5M rolls of interspersed red and blue 12v LED's(claimed 70W/5m). The idea is to use one 5m roll per light (will be about 1.6m long by 0.5m wide) Plan was to just connect it normal 220v but a discussion elsewhere led to solar being mentioned. Now my knowledge on the subject is poor but I understand it shouldn't be overly complicated either. What would I need to make the above setup work...? (what battery/panel etc?) I doubt I would use all three at a time but lets assume 70wx3=210w for 5-6 hours perhaps...? Input would be greatly appreciated.

i would like the alarm system to switch on the outside lights if an alarm is triggered. The alarm system (Paradox) has programmable PGM outputs (12V 700mA) i could use to generate the required "on" signal. How do i use this signal to switch on the lights? The system would have to operate wireless.

Hi Guys, So hoping there is someone knowledgeable who can perhaps assist.... so i was working on my solar geysers and alarm setup during the lockdown... just as background story / information... since two nights ago my lights are just going crazy... every night around 18h30-19h00 if i switch on my passage or bathroom or dining room lights or some of the rooms lights (seems totally random in terms of which light triggers the F-up) and then the after a while, sometimes almost immediately it start to flicker, goes weaker in intensity and then completely off... circuit breaker does not trip when this happens, and the lights won't switch on again until the next day…

We had load shedding last night at 22:00 and my daughter decided to switch on the hairdryer to dry out something. To my surprise the dimmable downlights in the lounge started flashing. What could be the cause, are the 3xUS3000B pylontech batteries not enough or is this a problem with the dimming switch?

Hi. So I have a noob question. I am in the process of moving house, and in the new house there is a large room with 2 entrances, but only 1 light switch next to 1 of the entrances. My thinking is that I install a Sonoff 1 Gang switch to replace the existing switch, which will allow me to also control the light via my phone or via Google Assistant. But I would like a "switch" at the other entrance that will control the same light. There is no current light switch, and I don't know if I want to go through the trouble of cutting into the wall to make that happen. My preference is Sonoff as I already have a few Sonoff switches on a handful of applia…

Hi, I'm new to the forum as I'm just starting out on a journey to be better prepaid for load shedding. My first step is to create better lighting and I'm thinking of using MR16 (GU5.3) downlights connected directly to a 12v battery which I'll keep charged. I can also go with GU10 lights but this would require me to run a small inverter. Advantages of MR16 for me is that it's less cost (no inverter required) and much cheaper cables to run through the house which will not be connected to the existing wiring in anyway therefore not requiring COC. One disadvantage I can see is that MR16 bulbs are not as available as GU10 so this may not be the best long term decision. …

I have a problem with LED lights that use plastic as a lens and cover Havells Adoree Neo led 6w cool daylight. The plastic discolours after limited use ..see image They are linked to my solar during the day that at night switches to eskom This seems to be an overheating problem Comment I need 6w led down lighters for my house ... the Havells have been a costly mistake What make is the best at best price Quote

Hi Guys Hope someone can shed light on buzz from dimmer switch 1. Tried two dimmer switches (major tech and wifi enable dimmer switch) get a weird buzz from the lights (LED GU10 Luceco Dimmable 8 connected in series) 2. When dimmer is on full power (no dimming) I hear no buzz 3. I can hear the earth leakage also buzzing when the lights are dimmed (AC DC Earth Leakage) 4. The lights are behind my inverter and weather I am using the inverter or eskom bypass I get the same buzz 5. The flickering was worse on the wifi dimmer switch Its driving me nuts, should I move the led lights off earth leakage ? should I try another phase as the …

I am looking for lights fittings with built in batteries that can charge of the existing wiring and then stay on a few hrs during load shedding. Any one sourced anything thats ok quality ?