Halogen downlights in bathroom

[Reesy09]

Hello,

Unfortunately we used green masking tape around our downlights when painting the ceiling (wish we'd pulled them out now) and the heat from the lights has caused the tape to leave a yellow stain on the white lights. I've tried bleach, cream cleaner and astonish and nothing will shift the stain...so, replacement is the only option.

The lights have 2 rings, one which fixes into the hole in the ceiling and the other which the bulb fixes in (twist and lock sort of thing). There is a black tube on the back which I gather is a firebox/guard. I've just looked in Homebase, Wickes and B & Q and the only lights which are similar say they are not suitable for bathrooms zone 1 or 2. All the ones which are suitable for bathrooms don't seem to have the fire box on them.

So, my question is this: is it likely that the ones already installed shouldn't really be there or can you buy bathroom suitable ones with the fireguard on? Do they need a fireguard (the loft is above the room)? The ones there say IP20 on them if that makes any difference. I wanted to try to match the exisiting ones as they don't all need replacing, but since I don't know where they came from that's not going to work, unless I can find some online, but I don't really know what to look for!

Help!

 

[riveralt]

You don't say whether the lights you have are low voltage or extra low voltage.
Here is a low voltage unit that is both fire rated and IP65 (more than suitable for bathrooms). There are equivalent extra low voltage units as well.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/robus-fixed-round-mains-voltage-fire-rated-downlight-white-ip65-240v/26323

 

[Reesy09]

The light says 12V max 50W IP20 and I have GU10 bulbs in there.

 

[Chri5]

Have you tried surgical sprit?

or meths ?


If the residue is simply the heated adhensive from the masking tape, the above solvents tend to be quite good at removing such residue.

If you need to totally replace the lamp fittings have a look here, the range should have something that is suitable. A a hint, the hole size of the last fitting is the ansolute "must be the same" requirement.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_Menu_Index/Lighting_Downlights_Index/index.html

 

[riveralt]

The light says 12V max 50W IP20 and I have GU10 bulbs in there.

If you have extra low voltage lights - with a transformer - then you will not have GU10 lamps like this
http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...X&ei=Qj5WT-mpG8uq8QOEsJDACA&ved=0CI0BEPMCMAE#
you will have something like this:
http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...X&ei=aD5WT5G_Jsn08QOq_aDHCA&ved=0CKkBEPMCMAM#
So establish whether you have a transformer with your current lights and if so and you want to keep to the 12v version then these are available:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-round-low-voltage-fire-rated-downlight-ip44-gloss-white-12v/84949

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I've tried bleach, cream cleaner and astonish and nothing will shift the stain...so, replacement is the only option.

What about repainting them with high temperature enamel?

Do they need a fireguard (the loft is above the room)?

If it's just an unconverted loft, no.

But you do need a sealed enclosure to stop moisture getting into the loft and rotting the roof timbers, which needs to be large enough to provide the clearances the maker specifies and over which you re-instate the loft insulation to maintain heat loss prevention.

The ones there say IP20 on them if that makes any difference.

Only OK outside Zone 2 - inside the Zones they must be IPx4 or greater.

 

[Reesy09]

Thank you both. I've tried white spirit too but there's no residue to remove, rather the metal appears to have been stained yellow. Very weird, especially as the tape wasn't on there that long.

Riveralt, the bulbs are like the ones on the first link you posted. Chri5, I have found the exact ones on TLC direct which are the same size, so I guess they must be the ones, except they are IP20 rated which it looks like aren't suitable for a bathroom! Should I replace them all with ones suitable for a bathroom? We've lived here 5 years and never had a problem with them but now I'm worried!

 

[Reesy09]

Ok, ban-all-sheds, so it looks like I shouldn't have IP20 over the bath. Always good to discover someone installed the wrong ones!! Think I'll have to get different ones then...

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Should I replace them all with ones suitable for a bathroom?

I would.

(Actually I'd replace them with larger lights that work properly, but that's another issue...)

We've lived here 5 years and never had a problem with them but now I'm worried!

I could have driven my car for the last 5 years without wearing a seatbelt and have been perfectly fine. (Unless fined).

 

[Reesy09]

Yep, you're right. Thanks for the advice. Quite glad this has happened, now that I know they are not the right ones!

So something like this would be ok then?

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FRSH01W.html

 

[riveralt]

Yep, you're right. Thanks for the advice. Quite glad this has happened, now that I know they are not the right ones!

So something like this would be ok then?

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FRSH01W.html[/QUOTE]
Not if you currently have 240v lamp units (GU10 bulbs) as you seemed to confirm above - with the above unit you will need to buy a transformer as well.

 

[Reesy09]

Sorry, I made a mistake. I looked at a spare bulb in the drawer rather than the ones in the bathroom! They are like the ones in the seconde link you posted riveralt, with the thin pins.

 

[riveralt]

Sorry, I made a mistake. I looked at a spare bulb in the drawer rather than the ones in the bathroom! They are like the ones in the seconde link you posted riveralt, with the thin pins.

In which case you will need to buy a transformer as well unless the ones already in place are working okay and are suitable for this lamp unit.

 

[Reesy09]

Sorry, I'm really confused! The bulbs in the existing fittings work fine and are these ones:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Product...rds&kw=l58dl&gclid=CI-085nn0q4CFeMmtAodZXJ5_g

I must already have transformers in the ceiling then so how do I know if those lamps I suggested are ok? Sorry but I'm a complete novice!

 

[Chri5]

Think there's a bit of cross over posting going on.

If you have 12v transformed existing light fittings, the ones you linked to will work with the same tranformer and bulbs.

I would check the body size of the in situ ones you want to replace against the new ones. You don't want to be messing around with have to adjust the ceiling hole size.

You mentioned that the facing ring on the existing fitting is removable, some one has suggested re painting them. Why not buy some suitable heat proof white paint (about £6 a can) and simply respray?

The zone issue for the bathroom lighting only applies in certain situations, if your ceiling is more than 2.25m height then there is no zones issue and ip20 is fine

http://www.fantronix.com/acatalog/bathroom_Zones_Explained.html