Problem with Can Lights

[NoVa_Jim]

I’ve had three kitchen ceiling can lights burn out in just over two years in a new-build Villages home. Since the lights are guaranteed for ten years, I had the bulb manufacturer (SATCO) replace the first two bulbs that went out, but now I’m thinking the source of the problem may be electrical, rather than the bulbs. The four-light set is controlled by two separate switches, one of which is a dimmer. Has anyone else had this problem and resolved it? Any other thoughts?

[villagetinker]

IMHO, a dimmer should not cause a problem with the lights as long as THE LIGHTS ARE RATED FOR DIMMING, while many LED lights are dimmable, there are some that are not, and if these sre not rated for dimming, the use of a dimmer switch will probably cause a failure of the LED light.

[DAVES]

I’ve had three kitchen ceiling can lights burn out in just over two years in a new-build Villages home. Since the lights are guaranteed for ten years, I had the bulb manufacturer (SATCO) replace the first two bulbs that went out, but now I’m thinking the source of the problem may be electrical, rather than the bulbs. The four-light set is controlled by two separate switches, one of which is a dimmer. Has anyone else had this problem and resolved it? Any other thoughts?

It is interesting that they replaced the bulbs for you. Few people keep track of actual life of bulbs. A typical dimmer has not only the slide for power but an on off switch. Perhaps if you are using the slide, only you always have current going through the bulbs.
Perhaps, you have something else on that line that is causing power surges, like a capacitor starting motor-small AC? dehumidifier? refrigerator?

[NoVa_Jim]

IMHO, a dimmer should not cause a problem with the lights as long as THE LIGHTS ARE RATED FOR DIMMING, while many LED lights are dimmable, there are some that are not, and if these sre not rated for dimming, the use of a dimmer switch will probably cause a failure of the LED light.

Thank you. All the lights are dimmable. I agree, the dimmer is probably not related.

[NoVa_Jim]

It is interesting that they replaced the bulbs for you. Few people keep track of actual life of bulbs. A typical dimmer has not only the slide for power but an on off switch. Perhaps if you are using the slide, only you always have current going through the bulbs.
Perhaps, you have something else on that line that is causing power surges, like a capacitor starting motor-small AC? dehumidifier? refrigerator?

Thank you. It was easy to keep track of the bulb life, since the home was a new-build. I like the power surge idea, but I don't think we power anything unusual on the same circuit.

[DAVES]

IMHO, a dimmer should not cause a problem with the lights as long as THE LIGHTS ARE RATED FOR DIMMING, while many LED lights are dimmable, there are some that are not, and if these sre not rated for dimming, the use of a dimmer switch will probably cause a failure of the LED light.

The OP does not say they are LEDs. Perhaps, but I don't think the villages supplies LED bulbs as original equipment. I've replaced almost all the bulbs in my home with LEDs they use roughly 1/10th the electricity. I only buy the dimmable types, they are slightly more expensive and I think give slightly less light for the current used. However it is a pain to keep track of which are and which are not dimmable. I have a bag full of LED bulbs that have failed. Why save burned out LED bulbs? I used them as temporary markers when treating a part of my lawn. The light color varies when one fails out of three or four. I've learned to buy extras as replacements and mark the boxes where they are used. Brand name bulbs, again my opinion, while more expensive seem to last longer. I've been told that LED bulbs that are marked UL approved are better quality and last longer. Many, most, LED bulbs do not say for outdoor use or for damp environment. The only ones I have that I am sure of the use hours, I have Cree LEDs in our outside light and they are ten years old, controlled by the sensor. They are 60w equivalent and if I recall draw 7w
I figure they are on 10 hours a day so 365x10=3650 per year x 10 years 36500 hours.
Well worth the money. I got more than my monies worth. Not sure if it is because of the lower draw but I still have the original sensor. I did apply NO SEIZE to the bulb bases and the nut you need to remove to replace the bulbs, so that when they finally fail, it will, I hope, be able to come apart.

[villagetinker]

Since incandescent lights have essentially been banned, I believe the only option is LED lamps, which is why I assumed LED lights.

[Garywt]

Just like anything else, the expected life of a LED light is an average meaning half the lights produced will die before the estimated life. I would have just bought and replace the bulbs myself. I have never looked into a warranty for something like a light.

[Jeffmit]

These can lights especially contractor grade are junk. You can simply replace with same size only much thinner and better lights.

[Malsua]

Are these cans with screw in lights or low profile recessed LEDs that sorta look like cans?

Old style cans can have LED flat panel screw in using a regular E26(normal lightbulb) base.
The old style cans can also just have regular LEDs screwed in.

The most recent is a flat panel that basically surface mounts on the sheetrock of the ceiling.

What kind of installation are we talking about here?

[RICH1]

im sticking with The villagetinker on this one.... LED dimmable lights are required with the Dimmer switch! High quality LED dimmable lights are not in the Builders Storage closet..

[RICH1]

The OP does not say they are LEDs. Perhaps, but I don't think the villages supplies LED bulbs as original equipment. I've replaced almost all the bulbs in my home with LEDs they use roughly 1/10th the electricity. I only buy the dimmable types, they are slightly more expensive and I think give slightly less light for the current used. However it is a pain to keep track of which are and which are not dimmable. I have a bag full of LED bulbs that have failed. Why save burned out LED bulbs? I used them as temporary markers when treating a part of my lawn. The light color varies when one fails out of three or four. I've learned to buy extras as replacements and mark the boxes where they are used. Brand name bulbs, again my opinion, while more expensive seem to last longer. I've been told that LED bulbs that are marked UL approved are better quality and last longer. Many, most, LED bulbs do not say for outdoor use or for damp environment. The only ones I have that I am sure of the use hours, I have Cree LEDs in our outside light and they are ten years old, controlled by the sensor. They are 60w equivalent and if I recall draw 7w
I figure they are on 10 hours a day so 365x10=3650 per year x 10 years 36500 hours.
Well worth the money. I got more than my monies worth. Not sure if it is because of the lower draw but I still have the original sensor. I did apply NO SEIZE to the bulb bases and the nut you need to remove to replace the bulbs, so that when they finally fail, it will, I hope, be able to come apart.
i thought i had OCD.... do you use the mail order pharmacy? we can share medication i picked up on marking the lawn, Thank you

[Garywt]

The OP does not say they are LEDs. Perhaps, but I don't think the villages supplies LED bulbs as original equipment. I've replaced almost all the bulbs in my home with LEDs they use roughly 1/10th the electricity. I only buy the dimmable types, they are slightly more expensive and I think give slightly less light for the current used. However it is a pain to keep track of which are and which are not dimmable. I have a bag full of LED bulbs that have failed. Why save burned out LED bulbs? I used them as temporary markers when treating a part of my lawn. The light color varies when one fails out of three or four. I've learned to buy extras as replacements and mark the boxes where they are used. Brand name bulbs, again my opinion, while more expensive seem to last longer. I've been told that LED bulbs that are marked UL approved are better quality and last longer. Many, most, LED bulbs do not say for outdoor use or for damp environment. The only ones I have that I am sure of the use hours, I have Cree LEDs in our outside light and they are ten years old, controlled by the sensor. They are 60w equivalent and if I recall draw 7w
I figure they are on 10 hours a day so 365x10=3650 per year x 10 years 36500 hours.
Well worth the money. I got more than my monies worth. Not sure if it is because of the lower draw but I still have the original sensor. I did apply NO SEIZE to the bulb bases and the nut you need to remove to replace the bulbs, so that when they finally fail, it will, I hope, be able to come apart.

What exactly are you marking your lawn for with burnt out lightbulbs?

[RICH1]

Watt

[thevillages2013]

I’ve had three kitchen ceiling can lights burn out in just over two years in a new-build Villages home. Since the lights are guaranteed for ten years, I had the bulb manufacturer (SATCO) replace the first two bulbs that went out, but now I’m thinking the source of the problem may be electrical, rather than the bulbs. The four-light set is controlled by two separate switches, one of which is a dimmer. Has anyone else had this problem and resolved it? Any other thoughts?
Bought this house in Pine Hills new 5 years ago and not one can light bulb has failed. Probably jinxing myself now! I’m thinking you got a bad batch of bulbs . Hey I have bought new bulbs that were bad . I always check new ones somewhere before installing in a high area.