LED Downlight Driver

Wayne nightingale · Oct 7, 2018

Hi everyone, I’m Wayne, this is my first post so i hope someone can help me with my problem, before my head explodes.
Ive recently bought some cheap and cheerful LED downlight and the drivers last a couple of weeks then burn out. I’m wanting to do away with the individual drivers and use 1 driver to power all the downlights with a decent reliable driver. This is where i need the help, i have no idea what driver i need and the helpful people of TLC electrical had no idea either. Ive added a picture of the individual drivers that are supplied with the LED lights which are of the 3W variaty. I have a total of 12 led lights in my hallway, 15 lights in my kitchen and 20 lights in my lounge. So i need 3 drivers to power each section of the house, please please please help!

[ElectriciansForums.net] LED Downlight Driver

Andy78 · Oct 7, 2018

Cheap but not so cheerful. That looks identical to a garbage set of drivers I had a full batch failure on. There were similar issues with the light units too. You'd be best off investing in some decent complete light units.

Toneyz · Oct 7, 2018

The driver is not in contact with insulation is it?

Wayne nightingale · Oct 7, 2018

Hi there, no the drivers are not in contact with insulation. The drivers are popping when the lights are being turned on or turned off. When there on there ok. I just want to bin the drivers and get one driver per room but I don’t know how to work out the driver spec I need

Octopus · Oct 7, 2018

Convert them to 230 v ....

Wayne nightingale · Oct 7, 2018

I have 200 of these lights, i cant afford to convert to 230v unfortunately

Andy78 · Oct 7, 2018

Why aren't you getting these replaced under warranty ?

Wayne nightingale · Oct 7, 2018

Good question, i bought them from a website from China and i think the returns/complaints department are on holiday as all i get is “were out of office” when i contact them

Wayne nightingale · Oct 7, 2018

Even if i was going to get the drivers replaced, i would still rather have 1 driver to power all as I’m fed up with replacing a driver every other day

Andy78 · Oct 7, 2018

Wayne nightingale said:
Even if i was going to get the drivers replaced, i would still rather have 1 driver to power all as I’m fed up with replacing a driver every other day

Trust me, if the drivers are failing like this the light units won't be far behind and the new driver setup won't solve the problem of continuous hassle.

Octopus · Oct 7, 2018

Wayne nightingale said:
I have 200 of these lights, i cant afford to convert to 230v unfortunately

200 downlights - ouch

suffolkspark · Oct 7, 2018

By the time you buy new drivers and alter the wiring to suit.... Only for the lights themselves to start dropping like flys at some point, it will surely be cost effective to replace with something else?

If you do want to go the driver route a good brand is meanwell. Youll need to calc your requirements from details you have on the lights, bearing in mind maximum runs etc from the drivers.

Octopus · Oct 7, 2018

I'm surprised that you don't have start up current issues ....

suffolkspark · Oct 7, 2018

Wayne nightingale said:
I have 200 of these lights, i cant afford to convert to 230v unfortunately

In the first post you only have 47?

Wayne nightingale · Oct 7, 2018

Andy78 said:
Trust me, if the drivers are failing like this the light units won't be far behind and the new driver setup won't solve the problem of continuous hassle.

The light units seem fine and have lasted well