Downlighters - 12V or 230V?

[yellowvanman]

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

 

[scott-fitz]

Sorry lads it's GU10 for me, less equipment that can go faulty and LED lamps are getting better - ultimatly it's up to the customer tho, I give them the info and let them choose.

 

[bugsy]

Rabbit comes to mind!

 

[Dunc]

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!

3-4 bulbs in 2 years?! We're still on the original 6 lamps in our kitchen 7 years after installation!

 

[marksparky]

yes but i failed to mention this is a 5 bed house, 5 ensuite bathrooms, 1 main bathroom, 2 reception rooms, large kitchen, dining room and a nursery! 97 downlights or so if i rem right. Not my cup o tea but hey ho thats wat they wanted.

 

[Amp David]

I've had 12v downlights in my bathroom now for almost 8 years without issues.

Just goes to show using good quality trannies and lamps helps

Nowadays i will always advise on mains voltage LEDs.

 

[AJ16]

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

I agree about you point re 2x 60W BC lamps being sufficient, downlights do just that of course which is a bit more attractive than a couple of 'suns' in the room, but surely a given number of 12v 50W lamps will consume the same amount of electricity as the same number of 240v 50W lamps? The same is surely true for the heat dissipation. It's true that 240 50W dichroics are a bit less bright than the 12V versions though but it's fairly marginal in a lounge for instance where 240V fittings on full power can be a bit too bright for comfort unless dimmed. (don't start me on 240V dimmers though!)

 

[malcolmsanford]

yes but i failed to mention this is a 5 bed house, 5 ensuite bathrooms, 1 main bathroom, 2 reception rooms, large kitchen, dining room and a nursery! 97 downlights or so if i rem right. Not my cup o tea but hey ho thats wat they wanted.

Once the fad passes of lighting a home with these and a new fad comes along, the 97 X 63mm holes left in this ceiling is going to be a nice job to tackle.

 

[nickblake]

Me i bit the bullet Halers for me blows the backside off the rest ,and works out cheaper in the long run low running costs ,no lamps to change 7 year warrenty brilliant , but down toit all you cant beat a GLS with down lighters all you get is a spot so you need more of them especially with low ceiling

 

[edrobbo8]

So why are some LEDs dimmable and some not? Does it depend on the transformer you use? Or if 240v does it depend on the dimmer switch?

 

[mogga]

HALERS EvolvLed the dogs danglies now available dimmable and differing shades of white

 

[yellowvanman]

Had a customer look at Halers but the light hasn't got a good spread - only 30deg span.