The definitive low-energy GU10 lighting thread

[jgmadkit]

Very happy with the light output of the NxtGen bulbs I bought from SimplyLED, although one bulb has just recently failed after only 8 months use. No biggy, SimplyLED replaced without hassle but it cost me nearly £4 to send the failed one back which ramps up the overall cost of the unit which are pretty expensive to start off with. Think I will give the ones from Amazon in the link above a go next.

[voicey]

I bought 10 of Guy's ZEP1 lights last week together with drivers - five for my kitchen, 3 for the hall, one for the cloakroom and one for a new porch. I thought I'd test them out today.

First thoughts were that they were very well made and of high quality. They were also much bigger than I was expecting.









I fired one up and it almost blinded me! They are very bright.



In order to test out the how much light I'd get on the floor I pointed it up to the ceiling...



...and measured the diameter of the beam - nearly 2m.



I also tested out a cheap dusk-to-dawn switch that I got off eBay to auto switch the porch light on and off. All working great.



I am very pleased with the lights and would like to thank Guy for the generous discount he gave me. I can see these lights being everywhere in my house once the refurbishment has finished.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

And a free 50p piece with every item. Can't say fairer than that!

[budwozza]

voicey said:

I bought 10 of Guy's ZEP1 lights last week together with drivers - five for my kitchen, 3 for the hall, one for the cloakroom and one for a new porch. I thought I'd test them out today.

First thoughts were that they were very well made and of high quality. They were also much bigger than I was expecting.

I fired one up and it almost blinded me! They are very bright.

In order to test out the how much light I'd get on the floor I pointed it up to the ceiling...

...and measured the diameter of the beam - nearly 2m.

I also tested out a cheap dusk-to-dawn switch that I got off eBay to auto switch the porch light on and off. All working great.

I am very pleased with the lights and would like to thank Guy for the generous discount he gave me. I can see these lights being everywhere in my house once the refurbishment has finished.

Any pics of them inplace ?

[voicey]

budwozza said:

Any pics of them inplace ?

Not yet - the builder doesn't start work until next week.

[Joe M]

Ive just fitted some Megaman Modo GU10 retrofits. Seem good so far, light output is decent. Now to see how long they last.
Anyone found any decent R50 led bulbs?

[mikef1]

Were in the planning stages of our home refurbishment and I'm putting some thought towards lighting.

I'm looking at the Ecoled Zep1 am I correct in thinking that these will need to used in conjunction with a transformer unit?

I presume that each room will require its own unit and if for example there are 16 5w units I will require a 80w or higher transformer?

Also there seems to be a few options on the ecoled site for transformers i.e. 12v, 24v, 700ma. What is the correct one for the zep1.

Many thanks

[E36GUY]

Mike,

They are the 700mA drivers and you have one driver per light fitting meaning the wiring is the same as for a low voltage halogen system.

[mikef1]

Is there a formula or guide to quantity/placement per room size?

I'm, just about to order some zep1's and my measurements are as below.
For example I'm thinking 4 per bedroom 2 and bathroom and 6 per bedroom 1 and lounge?

Any advice is more than welcome.

Cheers

Family Room 12’10” x 9’8” widening to 12’8”
(3.9m x 2.9m widening to 3.9m)
Lounge 18’1” x 12’10” 5.5m x 3.9m
Kitchen 12’7” x 10’2” 3.8m x 3.1m
Dining Room 13’8” x 10’7” 4.1m x 3.2m
Utility Room 10’6” x 5’7” 3.2m x 1.7m
WC 5’10” x 4’5” 1.8m x 1.3m
Bedroom One 12’1” widening to 15’1” x 14’0”
(3.7m widening to 4.6m x 4.3m)
Ensuite Shower Room 6’10” x 6’8” 2.1m x 2.0m
Dressing Room 6’8” x 6’7” 2.0m x 2.0m
Bedroom Two 10’10” x 9’8” 3.3m x 2.9m
Bedroom Three 10’10”x 9’8” 3.3m x 2.9m
Bedroom Four 11’1” x 7’10” 3.4m x 2.4m
Bathroom 10’0” x 7’9” 3.0m x 2.4m

[monthefish]

I dug up this thread as was considering LED GU10 use for a different reason from long-term cost saving, specifically limited space (depth) in the ceiling. I had thought that specific LED's fittings might be able to be fitted where the depth is limited, but from reading the above re heat sink and dissipation, looks like LED's aren't likely to be much better than stad halogen fittings/lamps.

The current plan is just to lower the celing slightly to achieve the necesarry space in the celing void (it's not a big area and plasterboard is currently off, so it's not a big job, but I'd rather not lower the ceiling unless I have to.) but if LED's can solve my problem then great.
(running costs aren't an issue, but initial outlay is, and I need fire-rated for zone 1. I also want to achieve warm light)

Anyone able to offer any useful advice?

[jonnydrama]

For anyone thinking of buying an EcoLED product... stop thinking and DO IT!

I bought one for my porch and can't believe how bright and white the light is from it, looking for an excuse now to install them elsewhere!!

[E36GUY]

monthefish said:

I dug up this thread as was considering LED GU10 use for a different reason from long-term cost saving, specifically limited space (depth) in the ceiling. I had thought that specific LED's fittings might be able to be fitted where the depth is limited, but from reading the above re heat sink and dissipation, looks like LED's aren't likely to be much better than stad halogen fittings/lamps.

The current plan is just to lower the celing slightly to achieve the necesarry space in the celing void (it's not a big area and plasterboard is currently off, so it's not a big job, but I'd rather not lower the ceiling unless I have to.) but if LED's can solve my problem then great.
(running costs aren't an issue, but initial outlay is, and I need fire-rated for zone 1. I also want to achieve warm light)

Anyone able to offer any useful advice?

What depth do you have without lowering ceiling?

[E36GUY]

jonnydrama said:

For anyone thinking of buying an EcoLED product... stop thinking and DO IT!

I bought one for my porch and can't believe how bright and white the light is from it, looking for an excuse now to install them elsewhere!!

Thanks. Pleased to hear you are happy!

[monthefish]

E36GUY said:

monthefish said:

I dug up this thread as was considering LED GU10 use for a different reason from long-term cost saving, specifically limited space (depth) in the ceiling. I had thought that specific LED's fittings might be able to be fitted where the depth is limited, but from reading the above re heat sink and dissipation, looks like LED's aren't likely to be much better than stad halogen fittings/lamps.

The current plan is just to lower the celing slightly to achieve the necesarry space in the celing void (it's not a big area and plasterboard is currently off, so it's not a big job, but I'd rather not lower the ceiling unless I have to.) but if LED's can solve my problem then great.
(running costs aren't an issue, but initial outlay is, and I need fire-rated for zone 1. I also want to achieve warm light)

Anyone able to offer any useful advice?

What depth do you have without lowering ceiling?

Around 60-75mm from memory. Think most fittings are around the 90mm mark?

[E36GUY]

monthefish said:

Around 60-75mm from memory. Think most fittings are around the 90mm mark?

Many are. We have the ZEP2 at 61mm depth

[monthefish]

E36GUY said:

monthefish said:

Around 60-75mm from memory. Think most fittings are around the 90mm mark?

Many are. We have the ZEP2 at 61mm depth

Excellent.
Expensive?

[Super Slo Mo]

monthefish said:

Excellent.
Expensive?

Reassuringly so


Actually, they're not. Compared to a cheap chinese GU10 holder and crap bulb, maybe, but Guy's stuff is properly designed and built, and very good value for money. It feels like a proper, designed for commercial use, product, rather than a cheap domestic thing that'll last a year before falling apart.

[Steve H]

Guy, I've just emailed you

[jonnydrama]

Was going to wait till my new front door was fitted and the spiral trees were moved (hideous, 'storing' them for the MIL for a few months)

The iphone pic doesn't do it justice how white the light is.



Here's what it replaced

[squicky]

RammyMP said:

I've just ordered half a dozen of these for just over £6 each. I'm quite pleased with them.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006UR5IUY/ref=...

How are those bulbs working out for you? Tempted to order some to replace my kitchen and dining room halogens (need to get 10-12 of them so cost definitely on my mind!)