The definitive low-energy GU10 lighting thread

[grumbledoak]

Still digesting, but you probably want to edit this bit:

Probably Wrong said:

12V Aluminium reflector lamp = GU5.3 or "MR16" (the latter is the common name but technically incorrect)
12V Aluminium reflector lamp = also GU5.3 or "MR16" (the latter is the common name but technically incorrect)
Both of these lamps are 100% identical in shape and are interchangeable - From a size and fitment point of view

/Editor

[200bhp]

grumbledoak said:

/Editor

Well spotted - Edited accordingly.

[V8RX7]

200bhp said:

Lots of interesting stuff

Thanks

[DS3R]

V8RX7 said:

200bhp said:

Lots of interesting stuff

Thanks

Seconded, very helpful indeed, thank you for taking the time to do all that.

I have just stuck around 50 GU10's in a place, but I intend to be there for a year max, so want the look that people expect, but not the initial outlay. The next place will have LEDs as I'll be there longer, and it will be interesting to see what does change in the next 12 months alone...

[hairyben]

200bhp said:

What to look for in an integrated LED downlight
65-70mm cutout

Thank you for a well informed post, couple of points though:

It's easier to enlarge a hole slightly and cover any broken edges caused by fixture removal than make good! Plus many pre fitted IP and/or fire rated fittings use 75-80mm cutouts, so really you're looking for a decent sized bezel ideally with a 10mm+ flange to cover rough edges- I've found the LEDlite range ideal http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LTFRD12NW.htm...

I'd be interested in your informed opinion on these.;)


One other point of note- defending all us poor dumb sparkies out there- alum reflector lamps as-good-as didn't exist until the manufacturers brought out baked-bean-can fire rated fittings and left it for us to work out why they were overheating! In fact one major manufacturer who's name may be similar to a famous arctic lighting thernomenum still fraudulently claim their fittings of such type are fine for use with cool beams! Personally I quickly switched back to open backed fittings and fire hats, which are superior as bean can fittigns still run too hot resulting in reduced lamp life & discoloured bezels etc, and tell customers to use "whatever fits" rather than rattle on about special bulbs to someone with a dimwitted look on their face who'll forget it all in 4 seconds flat.

[TVR keith]

zcacogp said:

Several of them were very good. One of them stood out as being softer and warmer in light than the rest (and the Mrs particularly liked it) - that was the Phillips Ecoled 4W. So I took the rest of them back and ordered another 10 of the Phillips. Not cheap at £10 each, but going down from 50W each to 4W each I reckon they'll pay for themselves within 18months in energy savings.

We're very pleased with them indeed. The light is imperceptibly different from the halogens they replaced; I fitted the new bulbs without telling the Mrs and she didn't notice the difference at all. I guess this is the highest compliment I can give them; you simply don't notice any difference between them and the outgoing Halogens.


Oli.

+1 on this. On his rec I have fitted 12 of these from Toolstation in our kitchen to replace 35W GU10,s. Very pleased with the light and colour temparature. A bit brighter than a 35W GU10, not as bright as a 50W GU 10 IMO

[anonymous-user]

200bhp said:

Now for the fourth and final instalment of "LED lighting for dummies"

The future (12-24 months)

These are exciting time for those in the lighting industry and it's going to test some companies to the limit as they struggle to keep up with technology - Manufacturers who can change the way they work and adopt the principles of consumer electronics manufacturers will win this one.

Quite likely as one of the big players seems to be getting ready to push into this area in the immediate future.

Separately I'm looking to replace 12 downlights in the kitchen (currently 50wGU10) and the philips zadora looked interesting as it doesn't require a separate transformer so should be easier to fit in an existing 240v system and seems to be the same size cutout as the current.

[Kermit power]

One thing I really like about LED replacement bulbs is that it seems much easier to get a wide beam angle. A 30 degree beam angle is all well and good for highlighting a feature, but it was a bloody pain for general lighting! I now have something like a 100 degree beam spread, and am much happier with it.

[200bhp]

wsurfa said:

Separately I'm looking to replace 12 downlights in the kitchen (currently 50wGU10) and the philips zadora looked interesting as it doesn't require a separate transformer so should be easier to fit in an existing 240v system and seems to be the same size cutout as the current.

The Zadora is a very good downlight - It's basically one of the longer length GU10 LED Lamps pre-fitted into a downlight body. The advantage of that being that if the LED fails, you can simply change the LED part.

[anonymous-user]

200bhp said:

The Zadora is a very good downlight - It's basically one of the longer length GU10 LED Lamps pre-fitted into a downlight body. The advantage of that being that if the LED fails, you can simply change the LED part.

Thanks - i'd guess then that it'll probably be not as bright as the 50wGU10, which would not work...

[200bhp]

wsurfa said:

Thanks - i'd guess then that it'll probably be not as bright as the 50wGU10, which would not work...

The Zadora is good but probably not quite a true retro-fit. Its a little brighter than a 35W Halogen GU10.

[anonymous-user]

200bhp said:

The Zadora is good but probably not quite a true retro-fit. Its a little brighter than a 35W Halogen GU10.

Thanks - will have to look elsewhere then as the current 50w halogens are a little dim for the space (c9m x 5m). I've pm'd E36GUY as the ZEP2 on his site seem excellent, but will need holes enlarging and transformers installed, which might be a bit of an irritation

[200bhp]

wsurfa said:

Thanks - will have to look elsewhere then as the current 50w halogens are a little dim for the space (c9m x 5m). I've pm'd E36GUY as the ZEP2 on his site seem excellent, but will need holes enlarging and transformers installed, which might be a bit of an irritation

Take a look at the Click Inceptor downlights I think they're probably the best of the integrated LED downlights and also have a built-in transformer albeit on a bracket to the side

From memory they go in a standard downlight cutout size.

However, You may be disappointed with ANY of the LED downlights in you find 50W halogen's to be a little too dim.

[anonymous-user]

200bhp said:

Take a look at the Click Inceptor downlights I think they're probably the best of the integrated LED downlights and also have a built-in transformer albeit on a bracket to the side

From memory they go in a standard downlight cutout size.

However, You may be disappointed with ANY of the LED downlights in you find 50W halogen's to be a little too dim.

Thanks - looks possible - although rated at 400lm, so a bit lower than normal halogen (c500) - certainly the lowest hassle factor for installation.

The ones on E36GUY's stite are quoted at 900lm from 10watts, so might be the route I have to take if I want more light output.

Currently I have 2 extra gu10 50w spots and the extractor lights on to make it bright enough - which means about 750watts being drawn for the kitchen alone.

At best guess I have c 2,500watts in halogens downstairs (excluding exterior lights) which is a bit of a power drain, especially as my wife likes to leave lights on all day and night in every room

[200bhp]

I used to know a guy who owned a lighting company. He fitted a load of expensive commercial lighting in his kitchen - Low voltage flood type lamps at 100W each. They looked fantastic but he followed his wife around the house turning them off.

[rednotdead]

My hallway had 5 GU10s. Replaced them with 4 Zep1s from E36Guy - much nicer light and if anything slightly more illumination. I find the GU10s too 'orange', E36GUY's warm white Zep1s are perfect. We now have them in the hall, bathroom, kitchen and bedroom.

[anonymous-user]

200bhp said:

I used to know a guy who owned a lighting company. He fitted a load of expensive commercial lighting in his kitchen - Low voltage flood type lamps at 100W each. They looked fantastic but he followed his wife around the house turning them off.

I have come home during daylight to find her in her studio (lights on) with the lights in every room and bathroom on, plus the external lights on.....

[V8RX7]

Can someone tell me what E36Guy charges for his LEDs as I PM'd him a few days ago but haven't heard from him yet.

Thanks

[danrc]

i have been in touch with him.too but he's been quiet recently so guess he must be busy. i know he's just Had a kid so i guess we need to be patient.

[anonymous-user]

In the interim I bought a couple of these Aurora NEW 6W GU10 LED to reduce the current draw (all lights downstairs will pull more than 6amps, which trips the circuit - slightly annoying).

I'll monitor any dimming through life, but currently they are ok as a 50/50 mix with the halogens, but the long term solution is still to replace with a dedicated LED fitting.