The definitive low-energy GU10 lighting thread

[hairyben]

Harry Flashman said:

I have a question. I have a 6 lamp spotlight, and actually need dim, yellow (incandescent bulb) low energy bulbs. I have some LEDs in it at the moment, but they are too white and too bright!

Suggestions? Will consider dimmable LEDs - the main issue is the colour...needs to be properly warm.

Try the megaman 2800k, very close to it's warm halogen counterpart, dims well although you might have to change the dimmer module for an LED optimised one.

[Pheo]

Dr Interceptor said:

Hi Guy,

Wonder if you could help... My showroom mainly has Fluorescent Strip Lighting in, but one small section has 6x 50W GU5.3 Lamps in. Obviously these six lamps cost a fair bit to run when they're on 12 hours a day, six days a week.

Dad picked up some LED replacements a few months ago, but they flickered badly when fitted so reverted back to the Halogens - they will likely have come from the Electric Centre, I don't have the boxes to know what make they were.

Are there better lamps available that won't flicker, or is that down to the transformers we have? I'd really like to get some LEDs in there so I can leave those lights on without thinking about the energy they're using!

Any advice gratefully received...

Jon

You know the generic answer is EcoLED Zep1 right?

Although I don't know if their duty cycle is rated for commercial use, I can't imagine they'd be worse than the halogens!

You'd be ripping and replacing completely thoigh, different hole size and they provide transformers. But light and brightness wise I'd think they'd be great.

[Dr Interceptor]

Pheo said:

You know the generic answer is EcoLED Zep1 right?

Yup, spoke with Guy yesterday, and he suggested a complete new unit. Have asked one of the lads to send details across to him this morning.

I would have but it involves using a step ladder, a complete no no for me.

[JonnyO]

Thanks for the useful information on this thread!

I'm of considering the Zep 1 for my kitchen (8 fittings), bathroom (4 fittings) and ensuite shower room (4 fittings). If I decide I can afford it then I'll no doubt be in touch with e36guy before too much longer
Can I ask what colour temperature I should be considering for each of these locations?

[Pheo]

JonnyO said:

Thanks for the useful information on this thread!

I'm of considering the Zep 1 for my kitchen (8 fittings), bathroom (4 fittings) and ensuite shower room (4 fittings). If I decide I can afford it then I'll no doubt be in touch with e36guy before too much longer
Can I ask what colour temperature I should be considering for each of these locations?

One of the two warmer shades, I went for the Middle one. But it's personal preference!

How big is your house? I only mention it as the zeps are quite bright, you might not need that many.

[JonnyO]

Not a huge house. The fittings are what is already there as MR16s so I thought I'd just swap them. Is it possible I'd want less then?

[MonTheF1sh]

Another thumbs up for Guy and the zep1's here. Just finished fitting 6 in the living room and the results blow away any of the aftermarket ones I've seen. Anyone who's fitted them will know what I mean when I say they just don't look like led lights in either the off or on position but still give that clean crisp light. Don't want to sound like an advert but well worth the extra in my eyes and no issues with my lightwave switches which is always a bonus.

I'm afraid the picture does not do it justice....

[E36GUY]

good spacing too - got the light on the walls which makes a real difference to the feel of a room.

[V8RX7]

MonTheF1sh said:

Just finished fitting 6 in the living room

I'm afraid the picture does not do it justice....

How large is the living room ?

[GP335i]

E36GUY said:

GP335i said:

Wow, Guy is obviously able to offer some crazy deals then! I didn't think better than 33% off RRP would've been possible but I know now where to get the rest of them from

He can. Only to PHers mind.

Cheers Guy, appreciated!

[lj04]

JonnyO said:

Thanks for the useful information on this thread!

I'm of considering the Zep 1 for my kitchen (8 fittings), bathroom (4 fittings) and ensuite shower room (4 fittings). If I decide I can afford it then I'll no doubt be in touch with e36guy before too much longer
Can I ask what colour temperature I should be considering for each of these locations?

I have the warmer ones in my kitchen but cooler ones in my white bathroom which gives it a cleaner look.

[lj04]

JonnyO said:

Thanks for the useful information on this thread!

I'm of considering the Zep 1 for my kitchen (8 fittings), bathroom (4 fittings) and ensuite shower room (4 fittings). If I decide I can afford it then I'll no doubt be in touch with e36guy before too much longer
Can I ask what colour temperature I should be considering for each of these locations?

I have the warmer ones in my kitchen but cooler ones in my white bathroom which gives it a cleaner look.

[lj04]

JonnyO said:

Thanks for the useful information on this thread!

I'm of considering the Zep 1 for my kitchen (8 fittings), bathroom (4 fittings) and ensuite shower room (4 fittings). If I decide I can afford it then I'll no doubt be in touch with e36guy before too much longer
Can I ask what colour temperature I should be considering for each of these locations?

I have the warmer ones in my kitchen but cooler ones in my white bathroom which gives it a cleaner look.

[MonTheF1sh]

V8RX7 said:

How large is the living room ?

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&f=207&t=1466757&nmt=GU10+Placement

[E36GUY]

To everyone who looks at buying the cheap LED stuff on eBay/Amazon etc - Please consider this article. Do you know what you are getting? Is the seller even aware of what they are selling? Are those few quids saved worth your house going up in flames? No.

Do your research, buy quality, not cheap. Done properly, it's a one off investment. Buy from a bona-fide specialist in the field, not a random with a fancy website.

http://www.luxreview.com/article/cheap-leds-buyer-...

Edited by E36GUY on Tuesday 3rd March 13:27

[IIIRestorerIII]

Anyone got any pics of the different finishes of the Zep1's on a ceiling (lights off probably). Trying to decide whether to go for the chrome or stainless steel.

Thanks

[richie99]

Whe n the lights are on it is nearly impossible to tell what the finish is so I went for white in the end having tied a chrome finish one.

[pmanson]

Guy,

Is there any reason why I can't add a Zep1 into an existing circuit which features a single pedant light?

Received the agreement in principle from the mortgage co for the next stage of work today, so will be in touch shortly about some external wall lights.

Phill

[smn159]

Guy,

Any recommendations for wall mounted LED's? they're for the room adjacent to my kitchen, which has been knocked through into the kitchen. Probably going to use it as a lounge / TV room.

I wanted wall mounted as I've already plasterboarded / plastered the ceiling and don't want to pull it down to run more cables (no access from above) - haven't done the walls yet!

[hairyben]

E36GUY said:

To everyone who looks at buying the cheap LED stuff on eBay/Amazon etc - Please consider this article. Do you know what you are getting? Is the seller even aware of what they are selling? Are those few quids saved worth your house going up in flames? No.

Do your research, buy quality, not cheap. Done properly, it's a one off investment. Buy from a bona-fide specialist in the field, not a random with a fancy website.

http://www.luxreview.com/article/cheap-leds-buyer-...

Edited by E36GUY on Tuesday 3rd March 13:27

The embodiment of utter worthlessness that is the CE mark has been an issue ever since the BS mark was seconded to this shovel of manure, in fact only today I threw an unfused 3 way socket adapter "block" in the bin (after using my pliers to render it unusable), but it's very true that some of the LED stuff is particularly horrific. Twice last year I was called to look at lighting mcb's that wouldn't reset, caused by LED GU10's going short circuit; You very rarely witness small electronic circuitry going and staying short circuit- normally they blow themselves open.