Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Essex, United Kingdom Thanked: 0 times
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:13 pm Post Subject:
Replacing Spot 14 Lights with Energy Saving Bulb with Flex
Hi,
I am a tenant, recently moved and the flat has a open kitchen plan with nearly 14 X 50Watts spot lights has 3 separate switches to control them. I am not tight but, I would like to save money and energy by removing all the bulbs and replacing the centre bulb (by using adapter) with a flex bayonet cap, so that I can hang one simple energy saving bulb. Can this possible without making any changes by a simple adaptor/convertor? If yes then where can I buy one. If no, then what are the options?
Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 594 Location: United Kingdom Thanked: 2 times
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 4:04 pm Post Subject:
It sounds like you have a large kitchen, so be aware that it might be a bit dark with just one central ES bulb!
However, if you want to go ahead, what I would do is find out which switch controls the bank of lights that includes the most central one.
Switch off the power to your lights at the fuse board (double check by trying the switches). Gently pull down the central most spotlight. If they are 12V, it should have a transformer attached (oblong 'box'). Remove the cable entering (ie before) the transformer and use this to connect to a pendant light fitting with ES bulb.
Remove all the spotlight bulbs and switch the power back on.
Hopefully this will do the trick - let us know how you get on
Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Essex, United Kingdom Thanked: 0 times
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:28 pm Post Subject:
how to open the spot light unit?
Quote:
Switch off the power to your lights at the fuse board (double check by trying the switches). Gently pull down the central most spotlight. If they are 12V, it should have a transformer attached (oblong 'box'). Remove the cable entering (ie before) the transformer and use this to connect to a pendant light fitting with ES bulb.
Remove all the spotlight bulbs and switch the power back on.
Hopefully this will do the trick - let us know how you get on
SB
All, thanks for your valuable input.
SB I tried to open the spot light unit, and I feel the unit top/head is wider than the ceiling cut out, I may be wrong. But I unable to pull the full unit out. I am attaching some pics for your understanding.
Please note these lamps are NOT
a direct replacement for normal GU10 halogen lamps
as they are a little longer (20mm) and will protrude from fittings with fixed lampholders
Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Essex, United Kingdom Thanked: 0 times
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:37 pm Post Subject:
LE bulbs are expensive.
Chri5 wrote:
As a tennant who doesn't own the light fittings, you will lose your deposit and be charged to make good the work you do.
The Landlord will hire an electrican and it will cost you.
Might I suggest you simply remove all the GU10 230v lamps and replace one or four with LE ones as have been posted.
thanks for the info Chris, but I find those bulbs are expensive and when I move to new place, then these LE bulbs might not be of any use to me, and as spot lights are inside the ceiling they do not spread their brightness to the whole room, unlike when you hang a standard bulb in the center of the room.
I am sure I can fix it back to its original state if someone gudie me in taking out the spot light unit. My whole idea is to save some money and energy.
LE bulbs would be my last option. I already have the necessary items and bulbs for fitting a BC bulb and I do not want to re-invest on these new bulbs.
Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 594 Location: United Kingdom Thanked: 2 times
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:44 pm Post Subject:
Yes, they're mains halogen not 12V lights, so won't have transformers.
If you can't remove the lights, it may just be that the 'wings' are a little stiff. If you can pull one side down first (mind fingers, the wings bite!) it's generally easier.
Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 12845 Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom Thanked: 21 times
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:17 pm Post Subject:
krisssssssssh, the lamps i posted are much better than standard halogens. Who said anything about taking them with you when you move?
a standard halogen lamp has about 50 degree beam angle - they produce a very narrow beam and lots of shadows. These lamps dont have a beam as such, they spread their light evenly. You will find them much more pleasant and might find the room brighter than before.
The lights you posted pictures of have a terminal block attached to the top. See the metal riveted to the side of the enclosure - that is an L shape with the terminals on top, and may bend outwards at the top - so you have to remove it at an angle.
Chri5, I made that clear in my post, you didn't need to repeat it.
Joined: 11 Mar 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Essex, United Kingdom Thanked: 0 times
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:42 pm Post Subject:
Job done, thanks all, especially crafty and sb
Crafty wrote:
The lights you posted pictures of have a terminal block attached to the top. See the metal riveted to the side of the enclosure - that is an L shape with the terminals on top, and may bend outwards at the top - so you have to remove it at an angle.
He is the pic, how it looks now.
thanks all, especially crafty and sb.
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