downlights

gordsky · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:13 pm Post Subject: downlights

New to the forum hope someone can help.

Replacing my kitchen and whilst the ceiling is being replaced decided to put downlights in. My question is this. Is there a minimum distance the lights must be from existing wiring in the ceiling space and does 5 x 50w sound too much for a kitchen 4m square..? forgot to say will be using mains voltage 60min fire rated from tlc.

Thanks in advance
Gordsky

Steve · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:16 pm Post Subject: Re: downlights

gordsky wrote:

forgot to say will be using mains voltage 60min fire rated from tlc.

in that case, see here:
http://wiki.diynot.com/electrics:lighting:lamps:gu10
Use CFL lights - they are so much more suitable in kitchens, where you need a cool, wide spread of light.

ColJack · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:24 pm Post Subject:

you got stocks in a CFL company Crafty? you seem to pimp them whenever possible..

CFL's are also a lot more environmentaly unfriendly when disposing of them..
theres phosphorous, and mercury in them for a start..

GaryMo · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:29 pm Post Subject:

The light output from CFL's is rubbish!
We do a lot of cellar conversions and have on many occasions used both 11watt and 9watt versions with both being complained about due to poor light output. This more than often leads to the customer requesting them to be replaced with 50watt halogens.

On the other hand, they're extremely economical so there's always going to be a trade-off.
If using CFL's you may require more fittings than if going with halogens.

Steve · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:41 pm Post Subject:

GaryMo wrote:

The light output from CFL's is rubbish!
We do a lot of cellar conversions and have on many occasions used both 11watt and 9watt versions with both being complained about due to poor light output. This more than often leads to the customer requesting them to be replaced with 50watt halogens.

On the other hand, they're extremely economical so there's always going to be a trade-off.
If using CFL's you may require more fittings than if going with halogens.

Do the customers give them chance to warm up properly? The ones I have give a very clean even light with wide beams, but take 3-4 mins to warm up to full brightness. If anything i find i could do without one of the 3 lights due to the wide output. They get left on all night so long warm up isnt a problem for us, but i understand for some it might be.

GaryMo · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:46 pm Post Subject:

Yes, generally it's days before we get back to change the lamps for halogens so I they would have had chance to get used to them.
Which brand do you use? Ours (IIRC) are Megaman.

I can see the benefit for living area's but not for bathrooms, kitchens or stairways due to the long warm up time.

Steve · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:51 pm Post Subject:

GaryMo wrote:

Yes, generally it's days before we get back to change the lamps for halogens so I they would have had chance to get used to them.
Which brand do you use? Ours (IIRC) are Megaman.

I can see the benefit for living area's but not for bathrooms, kitchens or stairways due to the long warm up time.

Ours are in the bathroom.

And they are Megaman. I tried to video the lights starting just now, but they are warm already. I prefer the megamans to halogens. They're great

gordsky · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:54 pm Post Subject:

May be worth considering the CFL, but can anyone answer the original question re wiring distance and number of lights....

Cheers

Steve · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:57 pm Post Subject:

5 lights will be plenty, and when you put CFLs in them, at full brightness it'll be even better.