Replacing Halogen with LED

[series530]

We're part way through a solar installation and saving power has kind of got to me.

We have 7 50W halogen recessed down lights in our kitchen and, with winter approaching, solar power wont save me anything with these things running in the evening. Consequently, I would like to replace them with LED.

My wife feels that the lighting that these halogens offers is only adequate and that the worktop task lighting (small fl tubes) is fine for this purpose. Thus, whatever we put in the ceiling doesn't have to be better than what is already there - hence my consideration of LED's.

Each of the units is being fed by an Osram HTM-70 transformer. This, I understand has a chopped AC output that isn't ideal for LED's. The outputs drive the 12V halogens using MR16 connections. I believe (and please confirm) that I would need to substitute the HTM's with LED drivers if I want to maintain a decent lifetime for the bulbs. This being the case, I would need to buy bulbs and drivers - making each replacement fairly expensive up front.
Alternatively, I am wondering if I could replace the whole thing with mains wired GU10's. That way, if I bought the GU10 tails and the lamps they should fit in the existing recesses with a little bit of work.

Firstly, is this a sensible approach?

Are there any downsides of GU10's running on mains as opposed to MR-16's with LED drivers running at 12V?

Can you recommend decent quality bulbs (and sources) for the approach that you advocate.

Many thanks.

 

[Engineer54]

Got talking to a Dutch guy over here, that works in the LED lamp manufacturing side of things for Philips in China. He reckons that LED lamps are cheaper to produce than any of the CFI lamps. So i asked, ...why then are the LEDs so expensive? Because the manufacturers want paying for the R&D, but mostly because they can still get away with the premium retail prices.

They are still however conducting R&D trying to bring wattage down even further, and said to expect to see 4w equivalent 50w G10s within the next 18 months or so. Also told me that in domestic type settings or when lights are being switched on and off regularly, don't expect these long life hours that are associated with LED lamps. The lamp life expectancy figures quoted, are for lamps switched on and off just once a day... And that lamp life can be drastically reduced by frequent switching to that of a typical CFI lamp...

 

[tical]

Yeah mains voltage GU10 LED's all the way. Cost less to run, last longer, run cooler. If running cost is important to the consumer the initial outlay is soon repayed by the benefits. Durham sparkys right, halogen lamps are old hat and quality paint is the way to go ! You get what you pay for.

 

[series530]

Thanks for that: GU10's all round by the look of it.

So, is it worth paying £10 to £12 or are the cheaper fare on the like of eBay giving decent enough performance?

I am willing to pay in the region of £10 to £12 for a bulb (the GU10 tail being on top of that price) if I am likely to get a much better quality product than something on the auction sites.

 

[DurhamSparky]

stay clear of evil bay!!! 9/10 cheap quality crap with no traceability!!

 

[sjhall]

I have just fitted the Kosnic 4w led's, nice and bright , i'd go with taking the trannies out and changing the lamp holders to GU10 ones
here's a pic > http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac68/ste5lfc/6adef523.jpg

 

[Dunc]

Have a look at the Energetic lamps that are sold as part of the Scolmore/Click run of products. They come with a 6 year guarantee which can't be sniffed at and are only a few quid dearer then the top end of your budget.

 

[Engineer54]

Thanks for that: GU10's all round by the look of it.

So, is it worth paying £10 to £12 or are the cheaper fare on the like of eBay giving decent enough performance?

I am willing to pay in the region of £10 to £12 for a bulb (the GU10 tail being on top of that price) if I am likely to get a much better quality product than something on the auction sites.

That's still around a 100 quid to replace just 7 lamps!! Those LED lamps need to come down in price...

 

[andekoch]

Am fitting halers led's myself now. Nice light and has a 7 year warranty.

 

[Ponty Massive]

This is something I'm most interested in, I have 12x 50w in the kitchen and 6x 50w in the utility room, that's nearly £200 just to change the lamps......Is it really worth it and do you get the same light??

 

[Engineer54]

Am fitting halers led's myself now. Nice light and has a 7 year warranty.

Don't take those warranties as gospel. If i were you, i'd read the small print, that's where the devil always resides!! lol!! Some of these LEDs haven't been around for 7 years, so all based on calculation an assumption. If they do manage to last 7 years, i wonder what the fallout of the light output will be, or come to that, the rate of fallout over that period of time...

 

[fylthespider]

just a thought but 12x50w equals 600w halogen light. dont know how big your kitchen is but would you put 2x250w hally floods in your kitchen and be happy?

what i'm getting at is use your light more intelligently. 50w hally spot is great if you want to cook an egg,
same with leds. horrible nasty direct light, very efficient long lasting etc.
bounce it off a reflector. different story.

buy one of those stupidly powerful torches off flee-bay and have a play with tin foil.

(lighting tech for theatre was one of my sins).

go play.

i recon in average kitchen 150w gls, 80w flouresent, 20w led should be enough for general lighting.

HA! prove me wrong.:juggle2:

tl1000 site got much better smileys.

have a good week people.

 

[fylthespider]

o yeah,
you only get wat you pay for.
pay peanuts you get monkeys on your ceiling. or something.

later.

 

[Engineer54]

This is something I'm most interested in, I have 12x 50w in the kitchen and 6x 50w in the utility room, that's nearly £200 just to change the lamps......Is it really worth it and do you get the same light??

200 quid, ....and the rest...lol!!!

Have you tried lower wattage halo's?? I bet it wouldn't diminish the illumination of those two areas by any great amount....

 

[Ponty Massive]

just a thought but 12x50w equals 600w halogen light. dont know how big your kitchen is but would you put 2x250w hally floods in your kitchen and be happy?

.

Exactly.....Nuff said.



E54, have recently changed them to 35w which has made no impact on the lighting quality so a bit happier there. Was wondering more about the light quality for the price as well as obvious cost savings and heat dissipation.

 

[mydigitalhome]

clic make some really nice units with LED my local wholesaler sells them for £14 all in. Nearly as good as Halers but not as long gteee.