Downlighters - 12V or 230V?

[yellowvanman]

Whats your preference? I can't see any advantages in either. Like to hear others opinions.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Whats your preference? I can't see any advantages in either. Like to hear others opinions.

Supposedly better quality and quantity of light from ELV but to me it's not worth the problems associated with the 12V stuff.

 

[Des 56]

"Transformers"
One more unnecessary item of equipment that can fail

Why use and design a system that has build in failure

 

[Octopus]

240v so that once LED lamps become affordable and bright enough they can be fitted easily.


Also don't like all the hassle with transformers except in the winter and if I'm not busy all the call outs I get to fix them!

 

[cjp1]

I tend to fit 230v downlights now with either compact flourescent bulbs or led bulbs, I try to steer people onto the flourescent bulbs or led bulbs as the standard gu10 bulbs produce lots of heat & costly to run, I have replaced a few sets of gu10 fittings with 11w compact flourescent fittings for people because they did not like the heat produced by them and they were having to replace bulbs very frequently, and they all seem to like the cfl's better.

 

[Monkey]

hang on, 12 v or 240 v
12 volt all day long untill thay started LED
I know nothing but i know one thing fitted out many local PUBs in the area years later changing lamps and years later transformers these are on 24 7.
G U 10 well one week may be Two if lucky and the cost of lamps.
plus dimming, dimming dont ask about dimming led
good luck forget cost 12 volt nice and crisp

 

[smiffey]

12v all the way 30% brighter and the light is loads better than the gu10 rubbish

 

[vernam616]

Have to agree on 12v, gives a much better crisper light

I installed 4 12v into my bathroom 3 years ago and im still on original lamps and transformers

around the same time i installed 4 230v gu10's in my passageway, changed numerous amounts of lamps, they also give a yellowish glow, only reason i fitted them was because the fittings were surplus stock from a job

 

[ExArmy]

GU10's are expensive to run. for a decent sized room you need 6 downlights, thats 6 X 50W =300W. that is 2 and a half times the power when compared to say 2 X 60W bulbs. when i explain it like that to people they always go for the low voltage lights. and GU10's kick out alot of heat too, they just seem in-efficient to me

 

[bugsy]

L E D all the way!

 

[Monkey]

yep Smelly d all the way PV anbody

well got to a have some fun big buv just started there goes the wife for while

 

[vernam616]

LED is a good energy saver, but give a horrible sort of clinical light, do not like them and dont think i ever will

LED only good for a torch !

 

[bugsy]

LED is a good energy saver, but give a horrible sort of clinical light, do not like them and dont think i ever will

LED only good for a torch !

where have you been for the last 12 months - latest generation provide 3500k colour temp

 

[Dunc]

If you're going halogen 12V are always preferred in my opinion. Buy good transformers like the Aurora AU-E60s and you won't go far wrong. Much longer lamp life due to soft start on the transformer and far better light output. However, if I'm not specifying halogen then it's Halers EvoLEDs all day long!

 

[marksparky]

Great 2 see the 12v brigade out in force lol its normally the other way round! i have to agree with previous post buy good quality lamps and transformers and theres no problem, i wired a house 2 years ago full of lv downlights was back recently and the customer actually commented that he's only had to change 3 - 4 bulbs!