Different type of spotlights

[Adam Symons]

Hi there,

I've got 2 types of spotlights in my flat, one that I consider to be regular, that take regular spot bulbs and can work with a dimmer, and one that appear to be energy saving ones (please see photo) that are very dim and do not work with a dimmer.

I'd like to replace the energy saving ones with regular ones, but the wires going into the back of them (again, please see photo) look very different from the regular 2 white wires coming out the back of the regular spots.

Does anyone know why the wires look different, and whether it's likely to be an issue in replacing them?

Thanks so much,

Adam

 

[EFLImpudence]

Energy saving just means they are of a lower wattage therefore use less energy.

Those have a connector to which the supply wires connect, the others have two wires to which the supply wires connect.
That is - the connector is farther away.

 

[motorbiking]

you can replace with something like this:
https://www.mylights.co.uk/cgi-bin/...LED4300CH7WD&gclid=CKDZ8OHhh9ACFUEaGwodRZUGDA

low energy, bright and dimable, you might even find the connector block is compatible

 

[Adam Symons]

Thanks, guys.

EFL - so the grey wire casing I can see is actually part of the unit itself and sits between the light and the connector? If I follow the grey wires up they are cable-tied to the concrete above and then disappear out of sight. How would I go about reaching the connector?

motorbiking - they look great, but are quite expensive (I need. The ones I have everywhere else take standard MR16 bulbs - do you not think one of those type of fittings would work?

Thanks again,

Adam

 

[EFLImpudence]

EFL - so the grey wire casing I can see is actually part of the unit itself and sits between the light and the connector?

No they are the 'mains' wiring; the connectors are in the blue box.

The others have two white wires which connect to the 'mains' - farther away but not far.

 

[winston1]

Energy saving just means they are of a lower wattage therefore use less energy.

The picture looks like a CFL type to me with a GU 10 base.

 

[winston1]

The ones I have everywhere else take standard MR16 bulbs - do you not think one of those type of fittings would work?

Thanks again,

Adam

Please explain. There are no "standard MR16 bulbs". MR16 stands for multifaceted reflector 16 eighths of an inch in diameter, i.e. 2". MR16 bulbs can be mains 240v or 120v with a GU10 base, or 12v or 24v with a GU5.3 base. There are possibly other less common variations.

 

[Adam Symons]

Please explain. There are no "standard MR16 bulbs". MR16 stands for multifaceted reflector 16 eighths of an inch in diameter, i.e. 2". MR16 bulbs can be mains 240v or 120v with a GU10 base, or 12v or 24v with a GU5.3 base. There are possibly other less common variations.

They are 12V, 50W bulbs - does that help? Cheers Winston!

 

[Adam Symons]

Would these two give me all I need to replace the units completely?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Downlight-...d=1478103728&sr=1-1&keywords=downlights+white

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dimmable-D...&qid=1478104880&sr=8-3&keywords=gu10+dimmable

 

[Adam Symons]

Or can I just swap out the bulbs for LED/halogen instead of CFL?

 

[winston1]

Or can I just swap out the bulbs for LED/halogen instead of CFL?

Yes, preferably LED as they run cooler and use a lot less energy.

 

[Adam Symons]

Please see attached pics - I assume I can just replace the bulbs with 240v GU10 led or halogen bulbs? The thing is the bulbs are indeed CFL and they're 70mm deep - and most GU10 bulbs I can find are the regular 55m length. Is it just an old/outdated design?

Would these do the job? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ossun-Spot...qid=1478106742&sr=8-3&keywords=240v+gu10+70mm

 

[Taylortwocities]

Google
"GU10 LED long neck"

You'll get a choice including this
https://www.everything-led.co.uk/item-p-0026585/5-watt-74mm-long-gu10-led-sylvania-0026585/

 

[flameport]

A few years ago, the CFL things were intended to be energy saving equivalents to the halogen lamps, but most were significantly larger and required non-standard size fittings, and they all took an age to get to anywhere near a moderate brightness. Even then the colour and brightness was usually way off what most people would find acceptable.

They are totally obsolete now that LEDs can be had for a fraction of the price with instant light in the same physical size as the halogens.

 

[Echo the husky]

Do not attempt to fit halogen lamps to these fittings, as many will not stand the heat.