transformer spots or not?

[Deansplit]

An electrician mentioned not to go with transformer spots as they're unreliable! Is this true?... seems a sweeping statement, what's the alternative for low consumption spotlights?

thanks for any help

 

[ban-all-sheds]

what's the alternative for low consumption spotlights?

Something like these:

 

[Click-Sure]

Low voltage is NOT low energy consumption, probably a couple of watts more per fitting due to transformer losses.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Low voltage lights don't have transformers.

 

[Deansplit]

If low voltage doesn't use less why have them? So is there a spot light which uses less power?

 

[crunchynut]

Low voltage lights don't have transformers.

Mine do Ban; tis on the pole outside my house!

 

[crunchynut]

Not 100% on this Dean, but I would say that EXTRA low voltage spots are popular because they had better light renditioning and were/are more aesthetically pleasing. This may well be unture now due to advances in other lighting technologies over last 5 yrs or so.

Also, ELV (12V) lamps with trnasformers generally have a longer life than their 230V cousins. You can get soft-start trannys that apparently enhance the life of 12V lamps.

If you want a spot that uses less power then cange your 50W's to 35W's or better still try LED's - though I hate these..

 

[electronicsuk]

If low voltage doesn't use less why have them??

I believe that ELV 12v halogens were around before their 230v counterparts came about. Even if I'm wrong in saying that, they are advantageous in that, although inefficient in comparison to fluorescent or LED lighting, 12v halogen reflector lamps provide slightly more lumens/watt then those that run directly on 230v. This is due to the fact that the filament is more compact and constructed from a thicker wire.

So is there a spot light which uses less power

Yes, if you're willing to use CFL or LED lamps, for which you'd be talking £10 and £20 respectively per lamp if you want anything of a decent quality that has some hope of taking the place of a 35w halogen.

Whether or not you really want or need spot lights is another question. I personally have nothing against them, but will readily admit that the fitting linked to by ban-all-sheds above is a far better way to light a room, assuming you can make it work aesthetically.