I have a Kichler Pro 300 watt. Problem is I have 282 watts of lights to put on it. Kichler says to keep total watts below 240, (80% of rated). 6 of the lights I purchased were 2 watts on the spec sheet but when I got the lights their actually 23 watt Krypton lights. So my 12 watts now becomes 138 watts add in the other lights and I'm at 282. So I need about 60 watts of added capacity. Is there anyway or anything that can be done, to my present transformer, to get a little extra boost?

Not really.

I'd look at different wattage bulbs, or bite the bullet and get 600w Kichler unit. Does look awfully high though. Maybe someone else make a slightly higher wattage/cheaper unit?

Go to home Depot and buy one of their junk transformers and replace it every couple years. Take one or more of leads off your 300v and put on new one. You will ruin your transformer if you run near rating for extended period of time.

Install 5 lights, keep the 6th for a backup, or
return the lights and buy 6 lights that will make the rating number.

I'd probably run the 6 you have on the 300 and let it ride. 282 is less than 300, it can probably handle it, but it may shorten the life of the transformer..

Imagine the 240 limit is to allow for spikes and power surges...

Or get a bigger box...

Kilcher has a ask tech page on it,

https://www.kichler.com/kichle...ransformer-300w-azt/

The only thing is to replace the high draw lights with lower draw ones or use an additional transformer.
That being said I would just try it and see ~ you should be OK.
I have a Portfolio 200 watt transformer and a bunch of LED Portfolio lights also from Lowes.
It works great and the LED's don't use much juice.

I'd look at getting the proper bulb from the spec sheet. That's extra watts a piece, seems you would be well under if you got the bulb from the spec sheet.

Replace the Krypton bulbs with equivalent-lumen LEDs. You can save a bunch of watts.

quote:

Originally posted by Some Shot:
Replace the Krypton bulbs with equivalent-lumen LEDs. You can save a bunch of watts.

This.

Volt Lighting in Florida

LED bulbs last longer, use less energy

Thanks everyone for the advice. The bulbs cannot be replaced with an led bulb. I got the watts down to 262, (87%). I finished them up and turned them on at 14:00, they have been on continuously for over 8 hours without a problem, hopefully it will be okay.

It would be interesting to know:
1) The actual current draw by measuring the system.
2) The temperature of the Transformer at power since it would de-rate some as the transformer warms up \ gets hotter.

I do have a multimeter, where should I check the system for current draw?

The transformer is hot, I actually just checked it.

quote:

Originally posted by 08 Cayenne:
I do have a multimeter, where should I check the system for current draw?

The transformer is hot, I actually just checked it.

Multimeter won't give you current. You need a amp clamp to do that. Will likely not be easy due to multiple leads going into trans.

What type of multimeter? Most read current using the current setting and the leads plugged into different ports on the meter. Voltage is across \ Current is through.

You'd put the multimeter inline with the + lead going to the lights. Power (Watts) = Current (Amps) X Voltage.

So inline with the 12V, 13V, 14V, or 15V tap used. 300 watts = 20 amps X 15 volts.

16 amps X 15 volts = 240 watts

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
What type of multimeter? Most read current using the current setting and the leads plugged into different ports on the meter. Voltage is across \ Current is through.

You'd put the multimeter inline with the + lead going to the lights. Power (Watts) = Current (Amps) X Voltage.

So inline with the 12V, 13V, 14V, or 15V tap used. 300 watts = 20 amps X 15 volts.

16 amps X 15 volts = 240 watts

While that's true, I can tell you none of my Flukes (I have 5 different models) can read that much DC current in a series connection, they're fused for 10 amps internally. Some are less than that. They're fused like that because the test leads typically aren't rated for that much current. Perhaps the individual taps can be read if it spreads out the current across them, and is less current.

Now on the AC input side, you're only looking at a couple amps AC, <3 amps or so. I don't really see a way to make the connection on the input side though, since it's encapsulated. Unless it's on a dedicated breaker, in which case you can lift the wire there, and drop the meter in series with the transformer.

No, you do not have to use a clamp to read current, but it's damn sure easier (and safer if you don't know EXACTLY what you're doing) to do than breaking into the circuit in series...

quote:

The bulbs cannot be replaced with an led bulb.

Because the bulb is not removeable, or no one on Earth makes an LED replacement for that bulb?

Sorry. Not trying to be an irritation (my Wife says I don't even have to try), but I think there may be a solution there with a little more effort.

A hot transformer is generally not a happy transformer.

I will bring home a clamp on meter from work tomorrow. How should I check with the ammeter? Looking at the Kichler cut sheet they show only 2 available bulbs for the light which is a 15361. Both are krypton.

From the Kichler spec sheet for the fixture:

"Optional Lamping
2700K LED S8 Side Mount1.5W 120-Degree Clear 18122
3000K LED S8 Side Mount1.5W 120-Degree Clear 18123
2700K LED S8 Wedge 2W 300 Degree 18202
3000K LED S8 Wedge 2W 300 Degree 18203"

I expect that there are cheaper brands available to fit the 24.4W S-8 Wedge Base Socket they list.

This is what I based my calculations on and is what I ordered. Must be a misprint because the sheet that came with the light/bulb shows 23.4 watts and the other bulb is the 19 watts. Maybe they shipped me the wrong bulbs. Thank you

quote:

Originally posted by Some Shot:
From the Kichler spec sheet for the fixture:

"Optional Lamping
2700K LED S8 Side Mount1.5W 120-Degree Clear 18122
3000K LED S8 Side Mount1.5W 120-Degree Clear 18123
2700K LED S8 Wedge 2W 300 Degree 18202
3000K LED S8 Wedge 2W 300 Degree 18203"

I expect that there are cheaper brands available to fit the 24.4W S-8 Wedge Base Socket they list.