The definitive low-energy GU10 lighting thread
Discussion
Having had a very useful chat with e36guy, I'm just about to place an order for a load of zep 1s. I wish I'd of spoken to him sooner, would highly recommend anyone considering a lighting scheme giving him a bell. He is a genuinely top chap....
Will post how I get on once they are in.... I hope they are as good as I hope they are!
Cheers
Will post how I get on once they are in.... I hope they are as good as I hope they are!
Cheers
Steve57 said:
following on to the link above for ledhut, i purchased several http://www.ledhut.co.uk/spot-lights/gu10-led-bulbs...
some cool white, some warm white. there are 6 in our bathroom and possibly too many, but here is a pic. Very happy with them TBH.
I've just replace 16 50w gu10s in the kitchen/dining room and the difference is minimal... Maybe a tad dimmer but the level of light is more than adequate. The acid test is how long the buggers last. some cool white, some warm white. there are 6 in our bathroom and possibly too many, but here is a pic. Very happy with them TBH.
Well, that was an insightful read 
As this thread is some 3 years old, is it still up to date?
I have existing Aurora fire rated downlights (about 2.5 years old - they are the ones that you can cover with loft insulation) in my kitchen and hall that currently use 50w GU10 bulbs. There are around 20 bulbs in total.
What would be the best bulb to replace these with, giving a similar light but cheaper running costs?
I presume an LED replacement of some kind?
Any help kindly received
As this thread is some 3 years old, is it still up to date?
I have existing Aurora fire rated downlights (about 2.5 years old - they are the ones that you can cover with loft insulation) in my kitchen and hall that currently use 50w GU10 bulbs. There are around 20 bulbs in total.
What would be the best bulb to replace these with, giving a similar light but cheaper running costs?
I presume an LED replacement of some kind?
Any help kindly received
Airhog777 said:
Having had a very useful chat with e36guy, I'm just about to place an order for a load of zep 1s. I wish I'd of spoken to him sooner, would highly recommend anyone considering a lighting scheme giving him a bell. He is a genuinely top chap....
Will post how I get on once they are in.... I hope they are as good as I hope they are!
Cheers
Thank you for that lovely endorsement!Will post how I get on once they are in.... I hope they are as good as I hope they are!
Cheers
Back in the office now after an outstanding Le Mans if anyone needs any help!
hairyben said:
Another option if you have an apex is to run a track end to end, they can look great with many different lights (short or long stem spots, hanging pendants etc), very customisable and adaptable especially 3 circuit versions.
Do you have any examples? I'm looking for something like that and all I can find is cheesy DIY-Shed 3-spot tracks.shtu said:
Do you have any examples? I'm looking for something like that and all I can find is cheesy DIY-Shed 3-spot tracks.
I'd go with something like the below which is universal fitting track for which there are a wide range of fittings- some manufacturers differ to try to tie you into their system.http://www.toplightco.com/acatalog/HV_3_Circuit_Tr...
http://www.toplightco.com/acatalog/HV_1_Circuit_Tr...
dave_s13 said:
Steve57 said:
following on to the link above for ledhut, i purchased several http://www.ledhut.co.uk/spot-lights/gu10-led-bulbs...
some cool white, some warm white. there are 6 in our bathroom and possibly too many, but here is a pic. Very happy with them TBH.
I've just replace 16 50w gu10s in the kitchen/dining room and the difference is minimal... Maybe a tad dimmer but the level of light is more than adequate. The acid test is how long the buggers last. some cool white, some warm white. there are 6 in our bathroom and possibly too many, but here is a pic. Very happy with them TBH.
As mentioned, will see how long they last!
Rosscow said:
Well, that was an insightful read
As this thread is some 3 years old, is it still up to date?
I have existing Aurora fire rated downlights (about 2.5 years old - they are the ones that you can cover with loft insulation) in my kitchen and hall that currently use 50w GU10 bulbs. There are around 20 bulbs in total.
What would be the best bulb to replace these with, giving a similar light but cheaper running costs?
I presume an LED replacement of some kind?
Any help kindly received
I posted this back in Nov:As this thread is some 3 years old, is it still up to date?
I have existing Aurora fire rated downlights (about 2.5 years old - they are the ones that you can cover with loft insulation) in my kitchen and hall that currently use 50w GU10 bulbs. There are around 20 bulbs in total.
What would be the best bulb to replace these with, giving a similar light but cheaper running costs?
I presume an LED replacement of some kind?
Any help kindly received
me said:
Just bought some Crompton 5w GU10s (non-dimmable, mainly for the "daylight" colour temp which my wife strongly prefers) and very happy with them so far. Seem MUCH brighter than a 50w halogen, although that may be down to the colour temp; no sign of them over-heating or seriously reducing output over the course of a day. Only had them this week though, so no long-term report. Seem to fit in the housings to exactly the same depth as the standard Crompton GU10s, so might be worth a look for the fire-rated fittings.
(Back-of-an-envelope calcs say they cost 4 or 5 times as much as the halogens they're replacing, but rated life is 6 times longer (from same company, so hopefully comparable if not exactly accurate); should save £160-odd each of electric over that time... I'm itching to replace all the others now, too wink )
And 9 months on, not lost a single emitter (12 lamps in the kitchen) and they're also now fitted in lounge (6 lamps), main bathroom (3) and ensuite (2); all 100% fine. The ones in the lounge and bathroom did need the fittings pulled out of the ceiling and the arms bent back a bit as the base of them is a little wider than standard GU10s, but they all when in and back in the ceiling OK once I'd sussed it out.(Back-of-an-envelope calcs say they cost 4 or 5 times as much as the halogens they're replacing, but rated life is 6 times longer (from same company, so hopefully comparable if not exactly accurate); should save £160-odd each of electric over that time... I'm itching to replace all the others now, too wink )
23 bulbs x £160 = £3680 saving!
I got mine from www.led-bulbs.com
If you want a colour temp similar to the halogens, try the warm white rather than daylight.
Going to be installing 5-6 down lighters in a newly open plan kitchen & living area. I also want to light the plinth and down light from the underside of the cabinets.
What products would people recommend? I'm keen to go with LED (obviously!). Was thinking LED tape for under cabinet and plinth lighting...
What products would people recommend? I'm keen to go with LED (obviously!). Was thinking LED tape for under cabinet and plinth lighting...
defblade said:
23 bulbs x £160 = £3680 saving!
You'll be saving for sure but nowhere near this figure:50W x 23 = 1150W
1150W = 1.15kW
1.15kW x £0.15p per kWH = £0.17p per kWH
£0.17 x 8 hours (average daily family home use) = £1.36/day
Running 23 x 50W Halogens for 9 months at £1.36 per day = approx £367.20
Equivalent in 5W LED
5W x 23 = 115W
115W = 0.115kW
0.115kW x £0.15p per kWH = £0.02p per kWH
£0.02p x 8 hours = £0.16p/day
Running 23 x 5W LED for 9 months at £0.16 per day = Approx £43.20
The saving is approximately £324.00 over this period.
defblade said:
Rosscow said:
Well, that was an insightful read
As this thread is some 3 years old, is it still up to date?
I have existing Aurora fire rated downlights (about 2.5 years old - they are the ones that you can cover with loft insulation) in my kitchen and hall that currently use 50w GU10 bulbs. There are around 20 bulbs in total.
What would be the best bulb to replace these with, giving a similar light but cheaper running costs?
I presume an LED replacement of some kind?
Any help kindly received
I posted this back in Nov:As this thread is some 3 years old, is it still up to date?
I have existing Aurora fire rated downlights (about 2.5 years old - they are the ones that you can cover with loft insulation) in my kitchen and hall that currently use 50w GU10 bulbs. There are around 20 bulbs in total.
What would be the best bulb to replace these with, giving a similar light but cheaper running costs?
I presume an LED replacement of some kind?
Any help kindly received
me said:
Just bought some Crompton 5w GU10s (non-dimmable, mainly for the "daylight" colour temp which my wife strongly prefers) and very happy with them so far. Seem MUCH brighter than a 50w halogen, although that may be down to the colour temp; no sign of them over-heating or seriously reducing output over the course of a day. Only had them this week though, so no long-term report. Seem to fit in the housings to exactly the same depth as the standard Crompton GU10s, so might be worth a look for the fire-rated fittings.
(Back-of-an-envelope calcs say they cost 4 or 5 times as much as the halogens they're replacing, but rated life is 6 times longer (from same company, so hopefully comparable if not exactly accurate); should save £160-odd each of electric over that time... I'm itching to replace all the others now, too wink )
And 9 months on, not lost a single emitter (12 lamps in the kitchen) and they're also now fitted in lounge (6 lamps), main bathroom (3) and ensuite (2); all 100% fine. The ones in the lounge and bathroom did need the fittings pulled out of the ceiling and the arms bent back a bit as the base of them is a little wider than standard GU10s, but they all when in and back in the ceiling OK once I'd sussed it out.(Back-of-an-envelope calcs say they cost 4 or 5 times as much as the halogens they're replacing, but rated life is 6 times longer (from same company, so hopefully comparable if not exactly accurate); should save £160-odd each of electric over that time... I'm itching to replace all the others now, too wink )
23 bulbs x £160 = £3680 saving!
I got mine from www.led-bulbs.com
If you want a colour temp similar to the halogens, try the warm white rather than daylight.
I popped into the local electrical distributors last night and picked up some Bell lamps.
Went for the warm white (3000 thingymajig rating?). Got 5w for the hall and 6w for the kitchen.
£6 + VAT for the 5w and £7.25 + VAT for the 6w.
Put them in last night, they fitted fine. They seem lovely and bright - I think I could have got away with the 5w in the kitchen.
Now let's see how long they last!
E36GUY said:
You'll be saving for sure but nowhere near this figure:
50W x 23 = 1150W
1150W = 1.15kW
1.15kW x £0.15p per kWH = £0.17p per kWH
£0.17 x 8 hours (average daily family home use) = £1.36/day
Running 23 x 50W Halogens for 9 months at £1.36 per day = approx £367.20
Equivalent in 5W LED
5W x 23 = 115W
115W = 0.115kW
0.115kW x £0.15p per kWH = £0.02p per kWH
£0.02p x 8 hours = £0.16p/day
Running 23 x 5W LED for 9 months at £0.16 per day = Approx £43.20
The saving is approximately £324.00 over this period.
I was working over the rated life of the bulbs - 30,000hrs IIRC, rather than the 9 months since fitted. Sorry if not clear... but might go and splash £324 on something shiny for the bike now 50W x 23 = 1150W
1150W = 1.15kW
1.15kW x £0.15p per kWH = £0.17p per kWH
£0.17 x 8 hours (average daily family home use) = £1.36/day
Running 23 x 50W Halogens for 9 months at £1.36 per day = approx £367.20
Equivalent in 5W LED
5W x 23 = 115W
115W = 0.115kW
0.115kW x £0.15p per kWH = £0.02p per kWH
£0.02p x 8 hours = £0.16p/day
Running 23 x 5W LED for 9 months at £0.16 per day = Approx £43.20
The saving is approximately £324.00 over this period.
Have had a few ZEP1s from Guy (thanks for the good service and prompt delivery) but not yet installed them.
They come with a driver per light, but I noticed the drivers are marked 5-15 light each. Is there sufficient load to run single lights off a driver, or do I need to drive at least 5 from each?
Very many thanks.
knk
They come with a driver per light, but I noticed the drivers are marked 5-15 light each. Is there sufficient load to run single lights off a driver, or do I need to drive at least 5 from each?
Very many thanks.
knk
Ive got these.
http://www.eterna-lighting.co.uk/productinfo.asp?p...
in one of these outside
Been up about 6 months and so far 3 have blown. Where is the saving I ask. Even if I take them back it will cost more in fuel than what I have saved.
http://www.eterna-lighting.co.uk/productinfo.asp?p...
in one of these outside
Been up about 6 months and so far 3 have blown. Where is the saving I ask. Even if I take them back it will cost more in fuel than what I have saved.
knk said:
Have had a few ZEP1s from Guy (thanks for the good service and prompt delivery) but not yet installed them.
They come with a driver per light, but I noticed the drivers are marked 5-15 light each. Is there sufficient load to run single lights off a driver, or do I need to drive at least 5 from each?
Very many thanks.
knk
What is written on the driver is not necessarily peculiar to the product they are being used with so don't worry particularly about what it says. We specify our lights one lamp/one driver.They come with a driver per light, but I noticed the drivers are marked 5-15 light each. Is there sufficient load to run single lights off a driver, or do I need to drive at least 5 from each?
Very many thanks.
knk
My daughters buying a flat, the majority of the lighting looks like it is halogen gu10 on tracks, No recessed downlighters. I was thinking of leds as I not keen on the old cfls we have in our house.
I have looked for specifications, but so far only found the for Philips Master. Is it worth buying something like the Philips Master to ensure a consistent light temperature and CRI? The halogens give a very yellow light, so I was also thinking of getting her to try some cool white to brighten the look.
I have looked for specifications, but so far only found the for Philips Master. Is it worth buying something like the Philips Master to ensure a consistent light temperature and CRI? The halogens give a very yellow light, so I was also thinking of getting her to try some cool white to brighten the look.
Edited by bbrook on Monday 7th July 12:11
Investigating replacing downlighters in kitchen and bathroom and this thread has been useful in getting to grips with the finer points. Even though I probably have just ended up with more things to worry about. I had been thinking of Enlite E9 as they would fit easily into existing cutouts of 65-75mm (or maybe H2 Pros, not quite such a good match).
Probably a question for E36GUY about the Zep1 downlighter that gets mentioned a lot.
The Ecoled website has the following
LED Colours Available Very Warn White 2700K, Warm White 3000K, White 4000k, Cool White 5600K
Beam Angles 38 degrees (on the half angle)
CRI Cool White 86, Warm White 83
The pdf says the CRI for the 5600K is 65 rather than 83. It also does not specify the 4000K.
http://www.downlights.co.uk/media/mconnect_uploadf...
The one thing that is slightly worrying is replacing failed units. I assume separating the driver and light unit as is done for the Zep1 is likely to improve the lifetime of the light as a driver failure can be dealt with seperately. In our existing kitchen a couple of MR16 transformers have failed that the electrician fitted have failed. They may just have been quality issues as ones I bought from TLC have not failed.
Probably a question for E36GUY about the Zep1 downlighter that gets mentioned a lot.
The Ecoled website has the following
LED Colours Available Very Warn White 2700K, Warm White 3000K, White 4000k, Cool White 5600K
Beam Angles 38 degrees (on the half angle)
CRI Cool White 86, Warm White 83
The pdf says the CRI for the 5600K is 65 rather than 83. It also does not specify the 4000K.
http://www.downlights.co.uk/media/mconnect_uploadf...
The one thing that is slightly worrying is replacing failed units. I assume separating the driver and light unit as is done for the Zep1 is likely to improve the lifetime of the light as a driver failure can be dealt with seperately. In our existing kitchen a couple of MR16 transformers have failed that the electrician fitted have failed. They may just have been quality issues as ones I bought from TLC have not failed.
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