Hi guys.
Just found this forum and it looks really helpful, so i thought i'd join up to seek assistance. This weekend i'm installing a new false ceiling and am changing to lv halogen downlights. I want to make sure that i'm fully prepared and know what i'm doing before i get started, cos it's a lot to do in a weekend. If i mess up, the missus won't be happy going without any bathroom lights until i get chance to sort it out the following weekend.
My previous set up was a two gang switch located in the hallway which operated both the bathroom and toilet light. However, i've since knocked through the wall inbetween my toilet and bathroom, and bricked up the toilet door to create 1 big bathroom, enabling me to fit a shower in the space freed up.
I have 5 downlights to install. I understand i need a 12v 210va transformer. Also i'll need to change the bulbs i have already purchased from 50w to 35w, so they don't exceed the transformer limits. (i forgot to add up the watts and didn't realise i couldn't buy a 250va transformer).
I was surprised when examining the wiring to find that i only have 3 wires feeding the old circuit, and no spur to split it up. i have an earth and neutral going straight to one of the light pendants. then a live to the 2 gang switch. from here, there's a load of fancy wiring and lots of live wires which go back to the 2 pendents. i take it i just take it all out and begin by linking the earth and neutral to the transformer, and then the live to the new cordpull switch located on the bathroom ceiling, and then back to the transformer to complete the circuit.
for this i can use the existing wiring. however, from the transformer to the 5 halogen lights. do i need to get 2 core wiring?
what is the best way to link up the 5 lights from the transformer? via a spur or just in parallel/serial?
do i really need intumescent fire hoods, as they're quite expensive. if so, do i need it for just the lights and/or the transformer too? are the fire hoods easy to install once the plasterboard goes up, or do i need my holes pre-drilled and the firehoods installed on the fixture ends for the lights.
will 5x35w bulbs be bright enough for a smallish bathroom (1 above toilet, 1 above shower, 2 above bath, 1 in centre of the room). were the 5x50w bulbs overkill in the bathroom, or do i need to consider having more than 1 transformer. if so, how will i connect up 2 or more transformers? can i have a mixture of different watt bulbs in the fixtures?
do all transformers hum or buzz, or is this mainly just associated with dimming switches which i won't have?
do i need to get a specific thickness or type of cable for this job?
does this transformer look suitable?
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?ts=98744&id=10066
how easy would it be to introduce a shaving socket to the mix?
basically any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure i'll be fine once i get started, as i'm a pretty good amateur diy'er. the only problem is that i've never done anything like this before. i've read up and have emergency contacts incase things go wrong. i guess i just need a pat on the back and re-assurance that things will be ok.
thanks.
Just found this forum and it looks really helpful, so i thought i'd join up to seek assistance. This weekend i'm installing a new false ceiling and am changing to lv halogen downlights. I want to make sure that i'm fully prepared and know what i'm doing before i get started, cos it's a lot to do in a weekend. If i mess up, the missus won't be happy going without any bathroom lights until i get chance to sort it out the following weekend.
My previous set up was a two gang switch located in the hallway which operated both the bathroom and toilet light. However, i've since knocked through the wall inbetween my toilet and bathroom, and bricked up the toilet door to create 1 big bathroom, enabling me to fit a shower in the space freed up.
I have 5 downlights to install. I understand i need a 12v 210va transformer. Also i'll need to change the bulbs i have already purchased from 50w to 35w, so they don't exceed the transformer limits. (i forgot to add up the watts and didn't realise i couldn't buy a 250va transformer).
I was surprised when examining the wiring to find that i only have 3 wires feeding the old circuit, and no spur to split it up. i have an earth and neutral going straight to one of the light pendants. then a live to the 2 gang switch. from here, there's a load of fancy wiring and lots of live wires which go back to the 2 pendents. i take it i just take it all out and begin by linking the earth and neutral to the transformer, and then the live to the new cordpull switch located on the bathroom ceiling, and then back to the transformer to complete the circuit.
for this i can use the existing wiring. however, from the transformer to the 5 halogen lights. do i need to get 2 core wiring?
what is the best way to link up the 5 lights from the transformer? via a spur or just in parallel/serial?
do i really need intumescent fire hoods, as they're quite expensive. if so, do i need it for just the lights and/or the transformer too? are the fire hoods easy to install once the plasterboard goes up, or do i need my holes pre-drilled and the firehoods installed on the fixture ends for the lights.
will 5x35w bulbs be bright enough for a smallish bathroom (1 above toilet, 1 above shower, 2 above bath, 1 in centre of the room). were the 5x50w bulbs overkill in the bathroom, or do i need to consider having more than 1 transformer. if so, how will i connect up 2 or more transformers? can i have a mixture of different watt bulbs in the fixtures?
do all transformers hum or buzz, or is this mainly just associated with dimming switches which i won't have?
do i need to get a specific thickness or type of cable for this job?
does this transformer look suitable?
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?ts=98744&id=10066
how easy would it be to introduce a shaving socket to the mix?
basically any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure i'll be fine once i get started, as i'm a pretty good amateur diy'er. the only problem is that i've never done anything like this before. i've read up and have emergency contacts incase things go wrong. i guess i just need a pat on the back and re-assurance that things will be ok.
thanks.