LED lights

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by ruddlad

Managed to get gu10's that were a great replacement at a good price and have a very good light. I went for daylight (6000k) instead of warm white.

Only problem now is I have some accent lighting that is still warm white. Three of which are on the same circuit as the ones I replaced but are 12v mr11 (gu4) smaller bulbs that use a transformer where the only access to it is through the ceiling as its now nestled snuggly under our recently refurbished bathroom with a tiled floor.. I cannot seem to find anywhere that sells day white halogen bulbs.

Have read on internet that the existing transformer may not be suitable if I get LED's,

Has anyone just replaced 12v halogens and used the existing transformer?

Simple solution is to disconnect, then patch and skim the holes but I'd like to keep them.

I know, forward planning and all that for the transformer positioning!!!!!!

Yep we did. Had 1 that didn't like it out of 4 on the circuit

[ruddlad]

How'd you resolve it?

[andrewsmith]

swapped it for another unit. They're about a fiver to replace. we think it was one on the way out

[ruddlad]

So no need for a replacement transformer?

[andrewsmith]

you can buy led specific drivers (transformers ) but we swapped it with a standard 20/50W transformer

[tigersaw]

I replaced my bathroom MR16 (12v AC) lamps with LED 5 watters no problem.
There were 2 transformers previously, I consolidated them into just one.
The LED's dont mind AC supply, and work very well.
Existing transformers may not work if they are the electronic type - they need a minimum load to work. If you can remember your transformer before you buried it, if it was lightweight it will have been an electronic one.

[ruddlad]

Cannot recall, it's been there 8 years. The irony is that I did the bathroom 18 months ago and the bath sits over the transformer and it's all tiled, otherwise access would have been lino & floorboard up job done.

Mine are the smaller MR11's so around 2w LED, worth trying them I suppose, it's just accent lighting.

If I could get halogens white as opposed to the yellow warm white I'd do that, can't find any anywhere though.

Got to redecorate the kitchen and ceiling could do with a skim, so as a last resort hammer out!!

I've been pushing in work to change flourescent tubes to LED. I got 5w 240v LED GU10's in my kitchen at £5 a lamp. Should *touch wood* never have to change on in the lifetime of the kitchen. Go cool white as warm white gives that jaundice effect. I've just ordered some G9 replacements for the bedroom which were more expensive at £10 each but 15% off this weekend + free LED torch this weekend on their site. I'm urging everyone to go LED. saves power, reduces cable wear and reduces the amount of changing which can damage fittings espically outdoor halogen lamps makes them viable.

[andrewsmith]

To give an update to this on the work based mods I've done.

We went down the GU10 240v replacement along with the 12v GU5.3 line.
Bloody hell it makes mini florescents look old hat! The GU10 LEDs thrown more and better light than the next best equivalent (on run time).

I'm looking at converting T5 recessed light fittings to LED as it makes the fittings a true Maintenance free item (100,000 hours from the info I've got)

[tigersaw]

My outdoor lighting is now LED too. Its brighter and clearer than the old halogens for about 5% of the power consumption.
They should now ban CFL (which have always been a bit carp - poor light, dont last long at all, toxic) instead of promoting them as the next best thing and push LED