Light problem, relay problem, or transformer problem?

[zimdogg]

I recently installed a CMP Brilliant Wonder color light on my Hayward system. Install went fine, and initially the light clicked on and worked no problem. Now I'm getting a weird problem where the light will come on, but then almost dim down to nothing. I can see LED's on underwater, but they don't produce enough light to light the pool. This doesn't happen every time.

I was hoping that perhaps it was a main board problem, so I waited until I swapped my Hayward E Command 4 board for the new OmniPL retrofit kit. I just did that last night, and still the same problem exists.

Before I call CMP for warranty claim, I want to see if there are any troubleshooting steps I can take to see if its a problem somewhere else, not in the light. Any suggestions on how to go about this?

I should also add, I don't see any dimming option for a light on the new OmniPL interface, and certainly didn't have a dim option previously with the Ecommand4, so I don't THINK there's a setting to dim the light down, but perhaps I'm wrong there.

 

[Ahultin]

I see an intermatic 300w low voltage transformer in your media, that is big for one light, is your other landscape lights on the same transformer ? How far is it from the light to the transformer? How many lights on the transformer? Do you have a multimeter to check the output voltage?
I would check the wires at the junction box and at the transformer for corrossion but It may be as simple as needing to use one of the higher voltage outputs on the transformer to compensate for voltage drop. Looks like you have an intermatic 300w low voltage pool transformer which has a 12v/13v/14v option for output for just that reason. To bump output you would connect your black line wire to the blue transformer input for 14v or yellow for 13v.

 

[zimdogg]

I see an intermatic 300w low voltage transformer in your media, that is big for one light, is your other landscape lights on the same transformer ? How far is it from the light to the transformer? How many lights on the transformer? Do you have a multimeter to check the output voltage?
I would check the wires at the junction box and at the transformer for corrossion but It may be as simple as needing to use one of the higher voltage outputs on the transformer to compensate for voltage drop. Looks like you have an intermatic 300w low voltage pool transformer which has a 12v/13v/14v option for output for just that reason. To bump output you would connect your black line wire to the blue transformer input for 14v or yellow for 13v.

The only thing I have on the transformer currently is the pool light with 100' cord. Description of the product added below. Mine's the 25503-560-100H.

1.5" LED Kits: 11 Watts - CMP

www.c-m-p.com

 

[Ahultin]

The only thing I have on the transformer currently is the pool light with 100' cord

Did you check the junction box for corrosion? What distance is between the junction box and the low volt transformer?

Assuming 14g wire @100 ft, 11 watts 12v is only a 1 amp draw but voltage loss is 4.85% which would be a 11v at the fixture so I would move the transformer wire to the yellow lead for 13v and see if that makes a difference as that should net 12.3v at the fixture

 

[zimdogg]

Did you check the junction box for corrosion? What distance is between the junction box and the low volt transformer?

Assuming 14g wire @100 ft, 11 watts 12v is only a 1 amp draw but voltage loss is 4.85% which would be a 11v at the fixture so I would move the transformer wire to the yellow lead for 13v and see if that makes a difference as that should net 12.3v at the fixture

I don't have a separate junction box. The light is wired directly from the transformer.

I hope that's what you mean.

 

[Ahultin]

I don't have a separate junction box.

Interesting as I am under the impression this is required since the light conduit is considered "wet"
Assuming you have confirmed the proper voltage at the transformer to exclude it as the issue(120v in 12v out) I would try moving to the 13v output.

 

[zimdogg]

Interesting as I am under the impression this is required since the light conduit is considered "wet"
Assuming you have confirmed the proper voltage at the transformer to exclude it as the issue(120v in 12v out) I would try moving to the 13v output.

That conduit does pop out of the ground, then attaches to another conduit that runs to the transformer, but there's no junction. The wire just runs from one conduit to the next. You can see it here.

20230304_141730.jpg

• zimdogg
• Mar 4, 2023

20230304_141743.jpg

• zimdogg
• Mar 4, 2023

 

[Ahultin]

Gotcha, that likely meets the code requirement. I assume the cable is unbroken thru that spot (no splices)?
Have you metered the transformer output yet?

 

[zimdogg]

Gotcha, that likely meets the code requirement. I assume the cable is unbroken thru that spot (no splices)?
Have you metered the transformer output yet?

Correct, unbroken.

I've not had a chance to meter the transformer yet. Hopefully I'll find some time this evening and will report back.

 

[zimdogg]

Gotcha, that likely meets the code requirement. I assume the cable is unbroken thru that spot (no splices)?
Have you metered the transformer output yet?

Ok, getting 12.2-12.3v on the light side of the transformer.

 

[Ahultin]

That's good, so I would move the input hot on the transformer from the black to the yellow which will bump ot to 13v output and ensure you are getting 12v at the light.

 

[zimdogg]

Alright, I'm running on 13.3v now so will report back if the problem persists. Appreciate the help.

 

[zimdogg]

That's good, so I would move the input hot on the transformer from the black to the yellow which will bump ot to 13v output and ensure you are getting 12v at the light.

Weird thing is the light says it's an 11v light...

 

[Ahultin]

Weird thing is the light says it's an 11v light...

11 watt , 12 v

 

[zimdogg]

11 watt , 12 v

Ahhh, I guess reading all the words helps

 

[zimdogg]

Unfortunately I can already tell its not working. Light is dim again.

I'm going to try testing the output side now while it's in its failed state to see what I get

 

[zimdogg]

Now it's bright again. This is weird. Picture here is what it looks like when it's bright. There seems to be 3 led lights that come on. When it's dim, only 1 comes on and it's much dimmer than this. Will try to snag a picture when it acts up.

 

[Ahultin]

The light says it has a quick connect at the light end. You may want to pull the light and check for water intrusion and or corrosion there. With the quick connect you also should be able to check voltage at the cable end.

 

[zimdogg]

When I pulled the output side out it still had 13.2v, but the light was bright again. I cut off the ends of the wires from the transformer to get fresh wire to try again... maybe it wasn't getting a great connection.

Working for now but time will tell. I'll pull the light out and check the other end if it acts up again but I'm losing daylight now.

Will report back.

 

[zimdogg]

Ugh... dim now.