Why use 12v downlights

[Bul]

Do many of you choose to install 12v downlights instead of mains ones?
I was thinking that doing away with the problem of the transformers failing. I still see reasonably new installations with 12v downlights.

 

[Adam W]

Those pictures were only an indication which I happened to have saved on my computer. I didn't go out of my way to add 'additional lighting' to try to prove a point, in fact the only reason it's there is because it makes so little difference when you're in the room that I didn't even notice it, but there's no way you could say the lighting in the first picture looks good - IMO it's unacceptable to have so much variation in one row of lights. Elsewhere in the same building there was a corridor of 230v GU10s with no variation whatsoever.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

cos the EU's gonna get rid of them in 2018; EU delays ban on halogen bulbs | EurActiv,

I don't think that ban will affect reflector lamps which are typically class B for a 50W MR16 dichroic. It's targeting the halogen replacement versions of GLS lamps which are class D and the like.

 

[davesparks]

IMO it's unacceptable to have so much variation in one row of lights.

Bit what caused the differences? Did it look like that when it was first installed.

If someone has changed the lamps with different types then it is hardly the fault of the lamp is it?

 

[Bul]

Lucien - could you elaborate on "12V halogen is generally better than 230V halogen - the lamps are more efficient, more durable and have higher colour temp." I'm sure many would be interested.

 

[davesparks]

Lucien - could you elaborate on "12V halogen is generally better than 230V halogen - the lamps are more efficient, more durable and have higher colour temp." I'm sure many would be interested.

What kind if elaboration are you looking for?
They are more efficient as you get more lumens per circuit watt
They are more durable as they last longer and can take a bit more rough treatment
And the colour temp speaks for itself, it higher therefore a cleaner/whiter light

 

[Adam W]

Bit what caused the differences? Did it look like that when it was first installed.

If someone has changed the lamps with different types then it is hardly the fault of the lamp is it?

They were all the same type - MR16. Maybe different makes, maybe different transformers, almost certainly different ages, maybe even different wattages, maybe different amounts of pressure, dirt or corrosion on the silly pin connections, and they all look very different.
I've never seen so much variation with GU10s, even halogen ones.
If the end user changes a lamp for a lamp, or a transformer for a transformer, then it's hardly their fault if it all looks different is it? Taking the transformer out of the equation seems a good way of keeping things simple and reducing variation.

 

[Bul]

What kind if elaboration are you looking for?
They are more efficient as you get more lumens per circuit watt
They are more durable as they last longer and can take a bit more rough treatment
And the colour temp speaks for itself, it higher therefore a cleaner/whiter light

I just didn't understand how you get more lumens per watt from 12v lamps, and what is different that they last longer.?
Im all for learning a bit more