[nheather]

My kitchen has 11 240V 50W GU10 Halogen spotlights on two circuits (8 and 3).

I would like to replace them with LE types for two reasons

(i) I seem to be constantly replacing the current bulbs. They aren't lasting anything like the quoted 2500 hours.

(ii) I'd like to save energy (for my bills and the planet).

Has anyone tried them. I've seen these

Lighting Superstore - GU10 7w Energy Saving - High quality 7w GU10 240v Long Life, Energy Savi

but I'm concerned by whether they will be bright enough. It says 7W which is usually equated to a 35W incandescent. But I thought that Halogens are more efficient than incandescent so could it be that it is only equivalent to a 20-25W halogen?

My kitchen is dark enough as it is because of poor window design so I don't want to make matters worse.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Bruce_]

I have tested the 7W and 11W. I definitely recommend getting the 11W. it's twice as bright. they do take a long time to warm up, but the light output is a clean white, rather than a dirty yellow that you get from others.

for me, the 7W isn't bright enough.

[gardinerbhoy]

yes as said i would also recommend the 11w bulbs as they are the bright white colour.

I am an electrician and fit these all the time, my advice is buy a good brand e.g megaman, they may be slightly more expensive but they are longer lasting as faster to start, please dont be fooled into buying the cheaper bulbs as you will end up replacing them just as much as your standard gu10s.

Also beware some are not dimmable and some are again there is a price difference.

And check that your light fittings will take the standard LE GU10s, as they are longer you will need spring loaded fittings which will take the longer bulbs, if not they will be sticking out. I have heard that they do compact versions now which are almost the same length as a standard GU10 but i have not seen them as all the ones we get in my work are the longer ones.

You can also get LED versions which are 3W but equivalent to a 50W GU10, but again these are slightly more expensive.

Well thats my advice anyway having worked with them day to day.

[paul_62]

its all about cost for the replacement bulbs i've been to a few houses where they keep blowing bulbs and they seem to be buying cheap supermarket bulbs - yes you get what you pay for
megaman do a direct replacement gu10 and the 11W is the one to go for they do take a while to warm up - states 2 mins but all you'll notice is a split second for them to come on and then when their warm all of a sudden it seems brighter - i personaly fit these as i know that they'll last and give off a good light

[Mikey601]

The lowest possible wattage of an LED which will create the same light output of a 50w bulb is 7.9w

But its not a gu10 its a replacement unit