Kitchen lighting - Where have I gone wrong?

[Tom_M87]

Any idea where I’ve gone wrong with my kitchen lighting?

The main light fixture (spotlight bar) is VERY dim as you can see from the picture. All the light comes from the 2 down lights (it’s like they are stealing all the power). The spotlight bar flickers a bit brighter when switched off.

Background - whole house was re-wired and the spotlight bar was fitted by the electrician. The two spot lights where old school bulky down lights so i swapped them with an LED conversion kit from screwfix.

I’m guessing I’ve missed something simple?

 

[Adam_151]

You've probably ended up with the downlights in series with the spotlight bar, post pictures of how you have connected them

 

[johnny2007]

Those spotlights are never a good idea in a kitchen.
They create shadows and only illuminate certain spots.
Disconnect that fitting and try a simple fitting with a 15w+ led bulb.
Then see if it makes any difference.
If so, throw the spotlights away and buy a kitchen light fitting of high wattage (20W led is plenty)

 

[SUNRAY]

Those spotlights are never a good idea in a kitchen.
They create shadows and only illuminate certain spots.

Just like downlights.

 

[johnny2007]

Just like downlights.

Exactly.
God knows how many times I heard: "The kitchen looks dark. I should've listen to you."...

 

[SUNRAY]

Exactly.
God knows how many times I heard: "The kitchen looks dark. I should've listen to you."...

Ditto.

A friend had an expensive kitchen replacement when downlighters had reaaly become the only fashionable light, they fitted loads, something like 20. The ceramic tiled floor got lovely and warm, as did the work surfaces and the top of ones head. However wherever one tried to work it cast a big shadow on the work.

Fortunately the plaster repair to the ceiling where the original 8ft fluo light cable came through was just about visible with carefull positioning of a torch and a screwdriver soon had the hole open to find the 'not very good' junction and a replacement fluo fitting soon had the kitchen properly lit again.

 

[mattylad]

What is being said about spotlights here is exactly what I am telling my wife, she wants to put a spotlight bar like the above photo in our ancient kitchen to replace the 5" tubes. I may just show her this discussion

 

[SUNRAY]

What is being said about spotlights here is exactly what I am telling my wife, she wants to put a spotlight bar like the above photo in our ancient kitchen to replace the 5" tubes. I may just show her this discussion

I would definitely thing twice, and several more times
My daughter is a dedicated follower of fashion and will only have such fittings. her kitchen is about 16 x 10 and had 2 triple spot bars at POS.
This pic from the sales info shows the hard shadows.

They decided to change the lights to something that actually lit the room but only a few days later she purchased some almost identical spotbars from Next.
Without the under cupboard fluo strips reflecting off the high gloss worktops into your eyes the kitchen would be unworkable.

 

[EFLImpudence]

What is being said about spotlights here is exactly what I am telling my wife, she wants to put a spotlight bar like the above photo in our ancient kitchen to replace the 5" tubes.

If I were you I wouldn't stop her doing it. If she doesn't like them she can change back to the fluorescent lights.

 

[securespark]

Call me old school, but I have a pair of 6 foot flu fittings in the kitchen. OK, they're not the height of fashion but their minimum shadow is great for a kitchen where you're using knives.

When they become unserviceable, I will replace them with LED equivalents.

I also have 2 x 6 foot twin LED anti-corrosives in the garage which also give a cracking light. Prior to that, I had two 8 foot twin flu fittings. The tubes got ridiculously expensive so I sacked them off.

 

[dishman]

I came across this light fitting for the kitchen. The brightness of a fluorescent tube, but nicely designed so it did not look so utilitarian.
I bought it for my kitchen and it has been fantastic. Two 28w tubes which put out a fantastic amount of light.
Now prices are coming down I plan to convert it to the LED tube type.
They actually now come with 2x18w LED tubes as standard.

https://www.falconelectrical.co.uk/endon-81691-harper-led-2lt-flush?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjK7wvbfB_QIVA8btCh1o1wg-EAQYBSABEgIDmPD_BwE

This site (I did not buy mine from here) seems to have the cheapest price I can find it for.


If I remember they do seem to have different brand names, so look around and you may find it for a much cheaper price.