Replacing 50W GU10 Dimmable Halogen Bulbs

[BF]

I want to replace these bulbs with the low energy equivalents, but do I need to change the bulb holders and do I also need to change the dimmer switch as I’ve seen there are two types of dimmers called leading edge and trailing edge, but I’m unsure what I would need.
Thanks for your help.

 

[ericmark]

Quartz Halogen bulbs can be dimmed, but should not be dimmed as it relies on the quartz being that hot that the tungsten will not be deposited on the quartz, running them dimmed will result in the quartz going black as the tungsten is deposited onto the quartz rather than the tungsten filament.

LED bulbs can be run at reduced output in some cases, but the colour temperature does not alter with a standard dimmer switch, so to get the ambiance found with the tungsten bulb, the only option is a smart bulb, so both output and colour temperature can be changed. With some, even the colour can be changed.

Some bulbs autocorrect for volt drop, so dimmer switches will not work, some can read the waveform chopping as a signal to dim, and others are so simple they can be dimmed with most switched, however the most basic circuit is, current is controlled with a capacitor, it is then full wave rectified and fed into another capacitor to smooth the output, plus a small drain resistor so when switched off it will not glow.

The size of the smoothing capacitor is critical, and there is no regulation as to how much, so when I tried using electronic switches with no neutral I found I had to experiment with loads of makes to find one which would work, the large one worked but the small one was a failure, the GU10 is slightly larger than the G9 shown, so more likely to find one which works, but I have 15 or so bulbs bought until I found one which worked, I have swapped GU10 bulbs around, and to date managed to find ones which would work with electronic switches, but still rather hit-and-miss.

So where I can I use smart bulbs, then know they will work.

 

[Murdochcat]

If your current bulbs are GU10 then all you need are GU10 led dimmable bulbs

Yes you need an LED compatible dimmer

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes you need an LED compatible dimmer

My choice is a Varilight PRO dimmer. Available in lots of places

 

[SFK]

Another vote from me for Varilight PRO dimmer.

 

[aveatry]

Straight swap as for the fitting but you will need the correct dimmer - I have one and I think it is a trailing edge varilight ( can not remember the exact model )
I also have a light fitting that takes E16 candle LEDs and the bulbs themselves have the dimming built in which is controlled in 4 steps by turning the light switch on and off quickly ---- can you get this type in GU10 ? so you wont need a specialised dimmer

 

[BF]

Thanks to everyone that replied.
Appreciate your help and advice.

 

[ericmark]

There are smart controls

so the smart bulb, in this case TP-link (Tapo) seems to be controlled with a standard dimmer switch, which can be pressed or turned, but it can also be controlled with a smartphone or voice controls.

To be frank, I got one, so wife could control lights from in bed, when temporary using the dinning room as a bedroom, it lasted about two days, she found voice control so much easier, so the button reused for the doorbell.

So the question is really why do you want to dim lights? For example, if you dim lights when you pick up the TV remote to turn on the TV, then to have the dimming on a remote control would make sense.

The main light we dim on a regular basis is the outside light where we keep the car, lamp on full the reversing camera does not work very well, but need it on full to walk past the car, so control with phone is best option.

 

[BF]

There are smart controls

so the smart bulb, in this case TP-link (Tapo) seems to be controlled with a standard dimmer switch, which can be pressed or turned, but it can also be controlled with a smartphone or voice controls.

To be frank, I got one, so wife could control lights from in bed, when temporary using the dinning room as a bedroom, it lasted about two days, she found voice control so much easier, so the button reused for the doorbell.

So the question is really why do you want to dim lights? For example, if you dim lights when you pick up the TV remote to turn on the TV, then to have the dimming on a remote control would make sense.

The main light we dim on a regular basis is the outside light where we keep the car, lamp on full the reversing camera does not work very well, but need it on full to walk past the car, so control with phone is best option.

Good points.

Ultimately, I'm trying to reduce cost.
I use my current dimmers to light stairs and hallway, and also my office, where I don't always need such bright light.

 

[aveatry]

Good points.

Ultimately, I'm trying to reduce cost.

Just going from a 50w halogen to 5w LED will do that for you.