Under Cabinet Lighting

I read your low voltage under cabinet lighting article and have a technical question. I installed 5 low voltage halogen lights on a single 60W max transformer. The original bulbs were 20W each and designed for a 3-light system equalling the capacity of the power supply. I needed two more lights so replaced the 20W bulbs with 10W bulbs thus reducing the load to a total of 50W. The system worked fine for a few months, but now has a problem. When first turned on the lights come on full strength. However, after a short time they slowly dim, to virtually no light. I suspected transformer failure and contacted the manufacturer (Lusa). They told me that their low voltage undercabinet systems have been discontinued. What do you think the problem is? Can it be resolved without pulling out the entire system and replacing it will line voltage lights (very difficult since the system was installed with the cabinets)? Thanks very much for your help.

Charles,
You need to contact the manufacturer. Have the factory rep visit to see what might be wrong.

I have two LUSA undercabinet systems. On one of them the transformer has melted onto itself. Where can I find another one to replace it??

Thanks in advance.

Jim

Try checking with the manufacturer, LUSA Lighting, at www.lusalighting.com.

As mentioned initialy, LUSA lighting was of no help, saying their low voltage products were discontinued. Any other ideas? Thanks

Take the old transformer to an electrical supply house. In the Cincinnati area, there is F.D. Lawrence Electric. These companies carry transformers from various manufacturers. They should be able to match your transformer.

I have a technical question about what guage/type of wire to use inside the walls between the transformer and the lights. I know this leg carries a lot of current so I don't want to risk a fire.

Kevin,
The total load determines wire size. Check with the manufacturer of the actual lights you are using.

I am hearing a lot about LED lighting and am interested in using LED for under cabinet lighting. Can you offer any guidance? especially interested in how to dim LED lights.

David,
LEDs are awesome. Research the different manufacturers..... for tips and controls.

I purchased a set of three under the counter lights with the touch brightener. I installed them on either side of an under the counter television. After a few days, the picture went black it still had sound but no picture. I unpluged the lights and about two weeks later the tv started working again. To day on try ing to install a range hood, I accidentally pluged in the under the counter lights. The tv picture went off immediately and has not come back on. The lights were plugged in but they were not turned on. I have since removed all of the lights and the plugins but still no tv. 'Help"

Bob,
This is AsktheBuilder, not AsktheElectronicsGeek...... :->

I know as much about TVs as I do women......

I'm trying to research puck in order to put them on the underside of a fireplace mantle. The two questions I can't find answers to are:

1. Are xenon lights able to withstand high ambient temperatures?

2. Are low-voltage installations safer than line-voltage variants (both in general and specifically as regards fire risk).

Any suggestions???

We have installed under cabinet lighting and installed the transformers inside of the cabinets. We are being told by the city inspector that we cannot put transformers inside the cabinets as it is a fire risk. All the sites I have read that this is ok. What do you think of this

We've installed under cabinet lights and they are working fine, now we just need to nail up the hanging cords. The nails our light kit supplied us with are too long and poke through to the inside of our cabinets. Is there any other way to mount up those cords so that they don't show?

I started this thread with my question about a failed LUSA transformer. I agree that under-cabinet lights are great. However, I would be cautious about using low voltage, the problem being what I experienced; namely a tranformer failure and inability to replace it. We have since re-wired the under-cabinet lighting using the same "hockey puck" type lights, but ones that operate on line voltage. Much simpler, no transformer to possibly fail. Home Depot has them, made by Hampton Bay.

Back in 2006, we installed 'low voltage' track lighting, with conventional dimmers. There has been a slight buzzing sound at all the track lighting dimmers when being used. I have recently heard from various lighting stores, that to eliminate the buzzing sound, you need dimmers designed for 'low voltage' lights. And the type of low voltage dimmer depends upon if the transformer is magnetic or electronic. The lighting store stated that just a few years back standard dimmers were being recommended, now the low voltage dimmers. Any comments?

Thankyou,
MRF

I recently had a house built and had them install undercabinet lights. It appears that one of the lights periodically had a clicking or popping sound. I have tried to determine the problem, but to no avail. I recently replaced them. It is very annoying and a mystery.

I am a lighting consultant here in Colorado. And the reason for your under cab problems (transformers, and the lights be so dim) is because that is to long of a run for a 60w transformer. The lights closest to the transformer are probably the most bright? and further down the line they get more dim? This is called voltage drop. You can not run 6 puck lights on a single 60w transformer. Nor are puck lights good undercabinet lighting. They create shadows on the work surface because it is not a strip; it is a round light source. Your best bet is to get a strip. I always suggest xenon to my customers. Great light source, great color, dimmable, and long life bulbs (10,000 hours). LED is great.....but not yet! The color is horrible on LED right now. Give it a year or so and they will be wonderful! But currently it is not worth all the money. And trust me....they are not cheap!!! They run off a driver..which is similar to a transformer. They are not dimmable, and the light source is very blue. Nor do they spred the light, they are only directional at this time.

For the LED undercabinet lighting try www.marktechledlighting.com. Their extend lights are quite bright and you only need one or two to do the job. Also, they are modular. They are also very helpful if you send them questions.

I am looking to place under cabinet lighting in my kitchen. We just had granite installed and would like the updated look of under cabinet lighting. I see you recomend the small round lights. How far apart should they be? There are so many different types in the stores. Can you provide your perspective on each type? LED, Xenon, flourescent etc...Do you recommend a seperate light switch for these lights? Thank you for your time!

I had enough presence of mind to bury some wiring before installing our cabinets to carry the load for under cabinet lighting, but did not research enough to realize I should have probably dropped a line to and from the basement for a transformer. I now have an accessible 120v (15A / 14/2g) line which I had planned to run off a dimmer and want to review the best options. Our cabinets are in 3 sections, as will be the lighting, so I'm thinking I may need to run the line to 3 separate transformers hidden under or in the cabinets - any better suggestions?

We recently Xenon strip lighting under our new kitchen cabinets. They look great but we have noticed when left on 30 minutes and up the bottom shelf of the cabinet above the light is warm to the touch. Is there any insulation material we could place between the light and the bottom of the shelf it is attached to that would reduce the warmth?

To find a replacement for Lusa 12VAC 60W transformers, Google "Westek TW60CS". It is also currently available for sale here: http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-42-under-cabinet-accessories/cabinet -lighting-system-dimmable-transformer-111150.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_med ium=cpc&utm_term=111150&utm_campaign=googlebase

18 bucks

I had 3 pucks lights installed under my cabinet. I have thrown out the installations instructions (a big mistake). The electrician didn't hid the wires properly, so we want to take the lights off to change the way the wires run.

We can't figure out how they come off. These lights are the small round puck lights that came 3 in a package, the wires run directly to the electrical outlet box. We've tried to unscrew the tiny little screws, but that doesn't seem to work. They don't seem to turn either. Any clues?

Can you give me any advice on installing under cabinet lights, hardwired to a dimmer switch in the kitchen? I want these lights to come on when the dimmer controlled lights come on. Can you recommend a manufacturer that makes hard wired lights that are hocky puck shaped w halogen bulb? Everything in Lowes & Home Depot are all prewired with plugs which I can't use.
Thanks

HELP!! I installed your typical wired puck style under the cabinet lights a year ago, and they work fine. However, i had a glass fall over in a cabinet over one of the lights and it banged right above the puck. Not only that light went out, but they all did. No matter what i try they won't come back on. Any clues? Thanks.

I have under cabinet lights, and I have noticed that the light housings are leaving a slight burn mark on the wood. Is there anything I can put between the lights and the wood?

For a 36inch wide cabinet, do I install 2 or 3 under cabinet puck lights? nancy

Before my husband passed away, he strategically installed puck under cabinet lights that I absolutely rely on and really enjoy. However, not long after he died, the transformer burned up and quit working. Well, not thinking right I just unhinged it from the 2-prongs and unplugged it and threw it out. Now I'm desperately seeking a replacement for it as this literally would be the path of least resistance [smile], but don't know where to turn. I've been told it needs to be a 'female' end to plug into the system. Any ideas, suggestions --- recommendations please??? I'd surely "know it" if I saw it!~ Thanks so much for your consideration.

On undercounter lighting please comment on the pros or cons of Halogen v flourescent v xenon.
Thanks
GC

I want to wire the 120v side of a 12 volt transformer to plug into a wall receptacle.This side has 2 18g lead wires. What type and size wire should I use. Thanks

AsktheBuilder,
I am rebuiding cabinets and was looking forward to your answer of David's question about LED lighting. It wasn't much help to tell him "go ask someone else".

I have 2 sets of cabinets I want to add undercabinet lighting but they are separated by a window. I would like to have 1 switch. I could wire it through the sheetrock but would have to have a wire through the corner or the cabinet on the other side in order to connect. Is there another way to connect the two sides?

Want to install low voltage lighting under cabinets. I understand you can run Romex wire throught the walls then splice to manfactures cable/wire. the question I have does that splice have to be in juction box and accesible, or can it just be splice with wire nuts behind the wall board.

Have you heard of anyone that uses fiber-optic for under-cabinet lighting? Seems like it would be much easier to install.

Thanks

Just check the output, or secondary voltage of the transformer. whatever it is, go to Radio Shack and buy the same voltage transformer. If the original was a plug in, it's a no brainer. If need be, bring the line wires to the top of the cabinet and mount a 4 inch junction box and receptacle and plug it in. If there's a switch, then it's a little more complicated, but nothing you can't find out how to do online. Perfect job for a DIY'er

I have been shopping for LED under cabinet lighting and found a set at Costco. but they just don't give off enough light. I still think the hocky puck lights are the way to go for easy install and the light they produce. But find a LED system that can produce the same amount of light and I'll buy it up quick.

Low heat / low energy consumption LED Lighting is the way to go. LEDs are dimmable too.

I am trying to replace bulbs inside puck lights under my cabinets. I have twisting and pulling down and cannot get them open. What do I do to replace these bulbs? They are black puck lights. Thanks!!

Hi
I would like to ask for assistance regarding kitchen undercabinet lights. I have a utilitech xenon puck lights and I am just about to install it. I noticed that the lamp cover has slot openings to allow the heat of the bulb to vent out. I am to install these lamps (2 of them) near my cooking range. I noticed that there are cooking oil splatters under the cabinets where I will install the lamps. My questions is, since the lamp cover has small slot openings, will it be a fire risk if droplets of cooking oil goes inside the lamp (due to oil splatter) and touches the hot silver steel. I would really appreciate your help. I have been thinking about this for 2 weeks now. Thanks

Where should fluorescent bar lamps be mounted under counter cabinets with 2" crown moldings? in the centre of the cabinet or on the backside of the lower crown mouldings? They are 8W T4 lamps.
Thanks for your help.

Charles I am looking to install 8 LED lights under my cabinets and I am having a hard time selecting a product. I would like these to be dimable and controlled by a standard dimming wall switch. I know when you put transformers in the picture this usually does not work. Any reccomendations.

Hi, I have small diameter lights under my kitchen cabinets. They have worked fine (and bright). Now 2 have gone out. I had thought it'd be fairly easy to replace bulbs. Now, I'm not so sure. Can't figure out how or if it's even possible to just get new bulb. Maybe the entire puck-like fixture needs to come out? If so .. just pull it down? Wires are hidden in plywood underside of cabinet. I sure hope it's not the transformer. Because I don't know where that is.

There is no longer an excuse for not using LED technology Under the Cabinets. The price is comparable to other hot and inefficient options. The color can be warm to match the hue of halogen or incandescent, and it is dimmable with the primary voltage as well!

yes, LEDs are the way to go. when you hear about the differences betweeh halogens and LEDs, you wonder why anyone uses halogen light for anything but headlights. using LED under cabinet lights will solve every problem and question mentioned on this page.

most LED fixtures are 12V, so they are low-heat, safe, and energy-efficient. you don't have to worry about fire or transformers melting (!) with LEDs. you could install one of several kinds of LED lights: strip lighting (which you can cut to the desired length), round pucks (the kind Tim recommends), or a good-looking aluminum light bar.

a 20 inch light bar under a cabinet, for example, will give you 150 lumens of brightness while only drawing 3.5 watts of electricity. (as opposed to the 60 watts sucked by the 3 halogens mentioned above. and, sure, halogens are bright, but you're only lighting a kitchen counter, not a crime scene!). so they're cheap to use and one 20W driver would power 5 to 6 LED light bars. two feet of strip light would draw about the same power.

also, LED strip lights and light bars are commonly about one quarter inch deep and less than half an inch wide, so they aren't visible to anyone but toddlers!

the life of an LED fixture is also much longer. most LEDs are rated to last over 50,000 hours, compared to CFLs (5,000-10,000 hours) and halogens (2,000 hours). So, theoretically, you can use an LED light 6 hours a day and won't have to replace it for 25 years!

and LED fixtures, increasingly, are dimmable, so they have that advantage as well.

so I hope all these numbers are a help.

I have 5 halogen under counter lights installed. they stopped working and it looks like the transformer is teh problem. How do I know what size transformer to get? can I simply cut the old one out and usethe existing wires to connect the new one?

We are in the middle of an extensive kitchen remodel. One of the contractors we are working with is pushing for us to install hockey puck lights under the cabinets and inside one section of cabinets. When I discussed this with our electrician he was emphatic that we not do this. He has removed such lights that scorched the inside of cabinets and were at risk of causing fire. He would only install florescent lights but they are not able to be dimmed. Since people want a good source of light, low heat, a pleasant color of light, and the ability to dim there must be solutions out there that meet these requirements and don't pose a fire risk. I don't like florescent lights. I am looking for a good pro and con of the options available.

You mentioned it is a good idea to space the lights about 30" apart. I am installing small 2" LED spotlights with 1 W high power manufactured by Hera Lighting. Their website said install them 10" apart and I realize they are selling the product, and would like to sell you as many as possible. I don't want to have areas of inadequate lighting under my counters and would appreciate your advice. Is a "spotlight" the same as a "puck" or should I follow the manufacturers advice? Thanks.

Hi,
I'm from Ottawa and I made a home Purchase from a local builder.
They have showrooms for different kitchen designs, of course lots of ideas about puck lights under the kitchen cabinets and also glass door cabinets.
We liked very much and order around 10.
The sales order on our agreement says: "Puck lights with transformers to be in the recessed panel below the upper cabinets in the kitchen".

However during our PDI we saw that all the TRANSFORMERS are located in the kitchen cabinets, visible and occupies a corner. As you can imagine we objected to the situation.

Now they say, "its requirement for the ontario building code".

I'm afraid the builder is cheating the buyers in order to sell puck lights and each cost 250$.

And when it comes to the actual installation they say "its building code".

1-First off all is it true?
2-when did change the building code specific to the puck lights and transformers?
3-I feel myself ripped off on this sale, what do you recommend?

Best regards
Bodik

I have installed under cabinet lighting in my kitchen which looks great, but when I am sitting in the dining area, I see the actual lighting fixtures. Is there any way I can hide some of the glare from the lighting. Can I add some trim to the bottom of the cabinets?

We bought our home just over a year ago, and one of the selling points was the updated kitchen with under cabinet lights. But sometimes the lights randomly turn off and they seem to be very hot. I got very concerned when the plastic cover on one of the transformers melted and popped off. What should I do?

I have a LUSA lighting Low Voltage from Lowe's. It appears Lusa is out of business as no one ever answers their phone. As one fellow said I am not happy with the seller or the supplier as I have replaced the trasformer twice. I am also concerned now about fire. Any suggestions besides replacing the entire system?

I have Halogen bulb puck lights under my cabinets that run very hot...is it possible to simply change the bulbs to xenon bulbs that burn cooler?

A few years back I installed some under cabinet lighting (5 pucks, 120V halogen, all in 1 series). They're great and very bright. Unforutnately, if left one too long (just a few hours) they -cook- what's in the cabinets above them!

I'd like to replace the bulbs with LEDs, but it appears that they'd need to be 12V DC (I don't think it's AC). So, I'd need to install a transformer before I could replace the bulbs. Since they're about $20 each, I don't want to get into the project with only a "maybe it will work".

Any thoughts on whether this is feasible or not?

Can I direct wire a transformer to an outlet?

Hi,
I installed Utilitech puck lighting with the 9 watt fluorescent bulb under my cabinets. The lights look great but after approx 2 months one of the bulbs is already burned out. The packaging indicates the bulbs should be good for 10,000 hours. I can't seem to locate the manufacturer's website to see what warranty they have on this item. Any ideas on how I can follow up or do I need to replace the entire fixture?
Thanks.
Dave T

I went with LED under cabinet lighting and I love it. I did the installation myself and the only tough part was hiding the transformer in my cabinet.

I went with a product I got from a local shop http://www.saviolighting.com/WAC-InvisiLED-Tape-Light-p/wa-led-t.htm

I'll share pictures once I get them from my phone.

can LED lights designed for under counter use also be used under a wall valence to gently illuminate artwork on the wall?