50W 12V Light Canisters

[AirTahoe]

Hi folks. I have around 40 of these in ceiling light fixtures for M16 50W bulbs.

I went to replace what I thought was a dead bulb. But even with a new one and a working bulb from another, I could not get the fixture to light up. It must be dead. It is about 8 years old with very clean construction by a pro.

I am not sure how they all work. Is there a transformer in each fixture to convert 120V to 12V? or one central transformer for all.

How do I fix or replace this canister? I checked the output on the wires with a multimeter and there is no power output. Is it possible to pull down on the entire canister? How are they removed from the ceiling?

p.s. I have great photos of it but it requires more than 15 post to be able to have that option on my account

Thanks in advance

[HayZee518]

if the fixture was installed before the sheetrock ceiling was put up, the fixture is held to the joist by two brackets and won't come down. replacement fixtures are held in the hole by screws and spring clips. each fixture night have its own fuse for the secondary. a lot of cans have a thermal overload that pops and resets when heat in the can gets too hot.

[AirTahoe]

I am 99% sure it was installed behind the Sheetrock when they remodeled our condo. I found out it is a Halo 1499T. It has an internal transformer and self-resetting thermal protector.

So what do you suggest? Do I need to remove the unit from the sheetrock and replace or is there any easier way?

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"Transformer
120V Integral magnetic transformer steps line voltage down to lamp operating voltage. For lamps up to 50W.

Thermal Protector
Self resetting thermal protector deactivates fixture if overheating occurs due to improper lamping or misapplied insulation."

[HayZee518]

The description shows there is an integral step down transformer mounted outside the fixture adjacent to the external wiring box. a set of joist brackets fix the fixture to the framing members. Therefore the only thing I see is to remove the sheetrock at least a joist width [17 inches square] and unscrew the joist hangers and drop down the fixture to further check it out. Messy, yes, but there's no other way.

[HayZee518]

here's the picture off a web site for that fixture