boyesey said:
Which shall I get?
With low voltage can the transformer go in the cieling void? Will it conk out and require me to lift carpets/boards to replace it? Will it make a constant annoying huummmmmm noise?
Can any one point out the relative benefits please?
As has been said above, these lights are designed to fit in the cieling void so the answer is Yes to that.
Each light is usually put on it's own Tx, most people use the cheapest and thus electronic type and these do not Buzz, however a lamp failure can take them out in pretty short order unless you plumb for the more costly varients from Aurora or Illuma, however you would be better off with 60va Wound core transformers, these may cost a little more, but will last decades (not an exageration). These small indiviual ones do not produce any hum as they are sealed units in epoxy with PVC casings.
The most likely cause of hum is going to be cheap dimmer switches if installed. Should you decide to go the dimmer option, then buy a good quality dimmer rated correctly for this type of load, MK make a fine range.
The Pro's and Con's of 230V GU10 lamps against 12V GU5.3 units is largely subjective, the performance of the lamps is almost identical across all manufacturers, and in practise both perform equally, although the GU10 lamps do produce a slightly different light from 12V versions so they appear slightly dimmer to the human eye.
For dimming, GU10's (230V) do have the advantage over 12V lamps and there is no problem of compatability between the dimmer and the Tx, but other than that they are generally equal, although my personal fav is the 230V GU10's except on tracks where I think think the 12V's both perform better and are inherently safer.