LED Conundrum

[securespark]

My Mum has many of Ban's favorite light fittings in her kitchen ceiling.

They have a combination of Osram halotronic and Intram Barwell Limited electronic dimmable transformers.

They are running 50W dichroics.

I have been in touch with both companies and they cannot tell me whether their units can run LED equivalents.

Is it best just to rip all the SELV kit out and convert to LV GU10 LED's?

 

[JohnW2]

I have been in touch with both companies and they cannot tell me whether their units can run LED equivalents. Is it best just to rip all the SELV kit out and convert to LV GU10 LED's?

I suppose that depends upon what you would regard as 'best'.....

.... to change everything to LV GU10s would undoubtedly be the 'surest' method, and an approach which will leave less to go wrong in the future (no transformers/PSUs). However, it would presumably be far from the cheapest approach, and it's not impossible that LEDs would work OK with the existing kit ... so there's an element of 'swings and roundabouts', I reckon.

Kind Regards,
John

 

[flameport]

Is it best just to rip all the SELV kit out and convert to LV GU10 LED's?

Definitely.

The existing devices may work with some LED lamps but not others.
Some may initially work and then fail after a short time.
There really is no way to know.

 

[securespark]

Hi both Johns, thanks!

I have figured that, as I am changing from halogen to LED, the lamps are being replaced anyway and that would be the same whether I choose SELV lamps or LV lamps. Also, the dimmers would need changing, whichever lamps I choose, either for compatible dimmers or plate switches.

So, I think the LV option is the cheapest, as the SELV option would involve replacing the transformers with compatible units.

Yeah, I don't know which lamps would work, so it would mean buying/ trying several to see what works and what doesn't.

I figure I may as well buy a job lot of GU10 lamp holders and LED lamps.

https://www.ledhut.co.uk/spot-lights/gu10-led-bulbs/gu10-fly-lead-with-quick-connector.html

Thinking of a wide angle flood like this:

https://www.ledhut.co.uk/spot-light...-spotlight-wide-beam-warm-white-dimmable.html

However, the narrow beam (which is not dimmable) is much cheaper:

https://www.ledhut.co.uk/spot-light...light-70w-replacement-2700k-non-dimmable.html

I agree that the cheapest option would be to just replace the lamps, but I think that would be difficult or impossible to do.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yeah, I don't know which lamps would work, so it would mean buying/ trying several to see what works and what doesn't.

And repeating that exercise every now and then.

I figure I may as well buy a job lot of GU10 lamp holders and LED lamps.

Or remove them all, repair the holes, and install large one(s).

Go on, you know you want to.





































Go on, go on, go on.....

 

[333rocky333]

Both makes you mention, unless they have changed recently, never made an electronic transformer with lower than 20 watt minimum load, so increases the odds of potential .
problems.
Not sure how much decent Gu10 lamps are nowadays, but likely not much more for a sealed 240v fitting with a decent warranty.
How do you propose connecting the Gu10lampholders, I dont personally feel the terminal block part on older fittings are suitable for mains voltage

 

[securespark]

https://www.ledhut.co.uk/spot-light...1_1535819044_1611da67c643f5633728093a40c81ee1

Thought I'd use these.

Ban

She doesn't want the disruption of boarding and skimming, so I'm just replacing what's there.

 

[dannyboi2003]

Homebase sell a pack of 10 5w TCP brand GU10s for £10. They are my go-to GU10 at the moment and everyone I have fitted them for has given good feedback, they are dimmable too! Seems to be an in-store only price as cant find them on the website.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Homebase, oh dear. All closed round here.

 

[JohnW2]

Homebase, oh dear. All closed round here.

Mine has just risen from the dead, and seemingly is going to stay that way for at least a while. For what it's worth, I, too, have had good experiences with their 'TCP' LEDs.

Kind Regards, John

 

[winston1]

As it is a kitchen why on earth does she want dimmers there? A kitchen is a work room that needs as much light as possible.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

You sound just like Westfield6 on the IET forum...

 

[winston1]

Really, never used the IET forum. Must have a look.

 

[securespark]

As it is a kitchen why on earth does she want dimmers there? A kitchen is a work room that needs as much light as possible.

Kitchens are indeed places where, the majority of the time, you need good strong light to reduce accidents. I will only have fluorescent fittings in mine.

However, her kitchen is a through room, with access to upstairs and a lounge, so often at night, she just wants a few on dim so people can see their way through from the bathroom to the upstairs (it is a dormer bungalow with the only bathroom on the ground floor) or into the kitchen for a drink.

 

[Nozzle]

Kitchens are the social centre of the home. When you have a house party, you want to dim it off a bit for the atmosphere. Get yourself some dimmable LED panels.

Nozzle