Osram 44870 downlight replacement

[prophet]

Morning all

Need to replace a number of these units in the kitchen and bathroom.
Does anyone know of any LED units which can be straight swapped or suggest anything else to use.

 

[ericmark]

It is down to the transformer which supplies it, wire wound and straight swap for LED, electronic need to read what it says on the transformer, 20-100 VA for example means the lamps must exceed 20 watt, and no exceed 100 watt, but some are like this one,

and have no minium rating. But this one says

20-70 watt, so would only work with a 70 watt load.

 

[prophet]

Thanks for the response.
Though I'm capable with most DIY disciplines, when it comes to electrics I'ma dunce.
So, up in the loft there'll be a transformer connected to each unit so I need to check their specifcation to ensure compatibility with proposed swap-out units like this.

 

[ericmark]

I have moved from G5.3 to GU10 I am as an electrician confused by the bulb you show, it says bulb base MR16, we MR16 stands for multifaceted reflector 16/8th of an inch across, but G5.3 and GU10 can be MR16 so could a SES bulb, well maybe not today, as we don't have reflectors in many bulbs, so MR16 equivalent is more correct.

You normally find a G5.3 is 12 volts, but there are 120 volts versions, likely also 230 volts. And GU10 are normally 230 volts, but again they don't need to be that voltage. So the advert should state the voltage, also AC or DC, seems very poor not to state.

With 230 volts you can get smart bulbs, so I tend to move to 230 volt GU10, but it needs an earth at the bulb, which is why many stick with 12 volts.

So we need to consider the room's lighting as it is, how if any way it can be improved, what it will cost, and what to do when. LED lighting is causing many problems, as it is not a direct replacement for tungsten, typical LED lamp, looks like this inside, and it does not matter if it looks like a spotlight or candle outside, so want to ensure the light is reflected off light coloured services to get the spread. There are exceptions, ⁣⁣but

most are rather simple, so before paying out a fortune on bulbs, you need to decide what you want. The directional lamp allows one to aim light to dark corners, but the down light typically aims the light at a dark floor where it is absorbed, so a bit no more like a lot, useless for lighting, but in the days of the tungsten lamps did at least warm the room.

But down to looks, or practical, my wife's Jag looks good, my Honda Jazz is far more practical, and the same goes with lighting. So add

to the price of the bulb, and £15.39 per bulb change is getting expensive, so now is the time to change if you want to.

 

[prophet]

These are straightforward downlights for bathroom and kitchen. I'm not too concerned about exactly replicating the lighting effect, I simply want the least faff so simple swap-out, bulb for bulb will suffice.

 

[Murdochcat]

My advice would be to replace the downlights , with customer changeable GU10 bulbs. Faffing around with transformers, LV cables and bulbs is so last century

 

[prophet]

I hear what you're saying and it might end that way. However, In the short term I'll trial a swap-out if I can get the right bulb.

 

[Rodders53]

That Osram lamp number is 12 Volt (ac or dc) 50 Watts, 680 lumen 'warm white' 2700K approx. 36 degree beam angle. Pretty sure they had a glass front to the lamp - which may or may not matter with a LED, all depending on how the lamp is retained in the fitting.

The LED you suggest is a tad dimmer (500lumen) and a tad whiter (3000K) with no mention of flood/spot beam angle (but google says they are available in 60 degree and 38 degree form. So that may need clarifying to match better?

Suck it and see with a few?

Biggest issue may be if the 5W leds on the transformer(s) presents too low a load resulting in flicker or some similar issue. Then a transformer swap to led driver will be needed.
{I had to do that with a bathroom mirror light using capsule lamps, but some 'plant uplight' capsules' transformer is perfectly happy with the low load cf halogens.}

Good luck and look forward to the saving of energy

 

[prophet]

Or perhaps go with replacements of the obsolete originals.

 

[Murdochcat]

Problem with the above is you are putting off the inevitable

 

[prophet]

Serious question, what's inevitable?

 

[Murdochcat]

Serious question, what's inevitable?

Updating the lamps & transformers etc

 

[prophet]

Same as my car will need updating at some point, however, as long as it's cheaply serviceable I wouldn't consider scrapping it immediately a headlight needed replacing

 

[Taylortwocities]

Those halogen bulbs were withdrawn from sale 4 years ago. In an attempt to move people to energy efficient lamps.
To use the “MR16” led lamps you will need to change the existing transformers to compatible LED drivers. That’s expensive, compared to ditching the lot and switching to mains powered LED downlights (GU10).
If may be possible to buy a bunch of GU10 bulb bases, or replacement GU10 downlights.

 

[prophet]

Appreciate all the input folks. It's been very educational.

For the time being we'll take the easiest option and order the straight replacement bulbs. However, we'll look to get quotations for

...ditching the lot and switching to mains powered LED downlights (GU10).

Many thanks.