LED Spotlights

[chris]

Do any of you have these? I'm looking at getting some installed in my new kitchen/diner. I'd like spot lights (downlights), but recessed into the ceiling.

I've found a company that does wide angle (well, two angle modes, 60 or 105 degrees) LEDs, at huge lumen outputs, yet are still 90% more efficient than standard GU10 halogen bulbs. They mimic daylight, which I'm curious to know if any of you have similar style colour temp bulbs (5200K). If so, are they too bright for night time dining?

There are also a warm daylight LED, which has a temp of 3000K.

[Glutton4...]

We bought LED spots to replace the kitchen bulbs in our last place, as they blew so regularly, that we got sick of replacing them. Well, the LEDs were just bl**dy awful. One in three blew the first time they were switched on, costing us a small fortune, and each one didn't last more than six months. In addition to that, they were so dim (very narrow beam, compared to the previous kind) that we ended up having all three light units (each with four bulbs) on all the time, instead of one or two, as previously.

What a total waste of time, money and electricity.

[chris]

I'm considering getting the fittings that are suited to the LEDs, so that might be a difference, rather than the LED replacement that look like the GU10s, they're completely different - seem to be highly rated, but they're extremely expensive.

I've found a place here, but they don't have prices, so will be getting a quote:

20W Round Recessed Luminaire

[Potstubsdustbins]

Chris, I know very little about LED drivers only what I heard my sparky chatting about.

A constant current drivers should be wired in series. Whilst constant voltage lamps and fitting should be wired in parallel. This is to avoid damage to the LED's.

For some prices try quote 48937 or 24127 here. Screwfix.com - Power Tools, Electrical, Plumbing Supplies & more

Colin

[scarletrunner]

Had to mix and match 2 l.e.ds with two gu10s.otherwise kitchen not bright enough.

[veggiechicken]

Can you mix them up in the same wiring circuit? I have 6 GU10 downlights in the kitchen, 2 of which have blown. I'd like to replace them all with low energy bulbs but wondered whether I could change them as each bulb goes?
BTW There's a special offer in LIDL from 20th August - 2 for £10.

[scarletrunner]

Can you mix them up in the same wiring circuit? I have 6 GU10 downlights in the kitchen, 2 of which have blown. I'd like to replace them all with low energy bulbs but wondered whether I could change them as each bulb goes?
BTW There's a special offer in LIDL from 20th August - 2 for £10.

Can't see why not,i have for several years now!

[chris]

Thanks folks. Yes VC, I've seen a few makes that allow you to fit into existing mains, or low voltage fittings..

I've bought a load of different bulbs (daylight, warm light, and neutral light) to test them out and see how I like them, along with firerated LV fittings, easy access bulb replacement style and some transformers. Crazy, the total wattage of all the the lights I'm putting in is less than 1 halogen GU10.

They weren't cheap, £15 a bulb, but are guaranteed for 3 years, and will last for 5 years at min. I've been through a lot in a track spotlight system that we currently have, so despite the large cost up front, I'll be able to save in the long term. Thankfully the place I bought them from will let me return the other bulbs that I don't use, or any bits that I bought today.

Once I've cut the ceiling out, had them installed and the plasterer has been in to skim the walls and ceiling I'll update you with pics of the different bulbs too - just incase someone comes along searching in the future.

[chris]

Chris, I know very little about LED drivers only what I heard my sparky chatting about.

A constant current drivers should be wired in series. Whilst constant voltage lamps and fitting should be wired in parallel. This is to avoid damage to the LED's.

For some prices try quote 48937 or 24127 here. Screwfix.com - Power Tools, Electrical, Plumbing Supplies & more

Colin

Thanks Colin. I'm getting a sparky in, normally I'd do it myself, but I've never done anything like this before, so I need him to check what I've bought is ok. If so, then i'll fit the ones I'm putting in my living room

[veggiechicken]

Here's an offer you can't refuse Chris!! You can try them in my light fittings - holes in ceiling ready cut and plastered, transformers wired in........
( Thinks; - Hope you can't see through my cunning plan of getting someone young and agile to clamber up and change the dud bulbs for me)

[chris]

hah

I would probably get lost trying to find where you live

[veggiechicken]

Pity about that Chris as you'll never be able to find those elderberries

[Glutton4...]

VC, you are one devious wotsit!

[veggiechicken]

VC, you are one devious wotsit!

Who? Me????

[chris]

I hate wimin!