Dimmable Low Energy Bulbs... and Lutron Grafik Eye

[kevshed]

Hi all,

I have a Lutron Grafik Eye controlling the lighting in my lounge/Diner - which is currenly 12x 50w Spots, and 4x Candles.... (all mains voltage, no transformers)

In my efforts to save a few bob on electric, i'd like to change these bulbs to low energy ones... i have already done the rest of the house, but this remains a big pain.....

From what i can read, there is nothing that can be done...

But, i expect installation experts here can offer some advice.

Any help appreciated.
Thx
Kev

[101music]

you have to set the grafik eye zones over to 'non-dim' - switched only. that should work. instructions on reprogramming the loads should come with each grafik eye.

[wywywywy]

Hi,

I posted a mini review of the Megaman dimmable GU10 CFL here for use with an X10 dimmer, which you might find interesting/useful.
http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/vbull...ead.php?t=1947

[Light Designer]

Hi kevshed, we use the osram IRC lamp on a majority of our installations (non residential work is heritage and churces, where energy conservation is a key issue). this lamp has a patented coating which converts heat into light, this has two benefits 1 = reduced energy costs 2 = less bacward heat into the ceiling space. The lamps have a 4000 hour life 3 - 4 times the life of mains voltage. By dimming down to 80% you can virtually double the lamp life, which reduces on going maintenace costs. its well worth investing in a decent transformer as the light quality is vastly superior to mains GU10. Transformer and lamp budget = 8- 10 pounds. If you need any more help let me know

[neilball]

Originally Posted by 101music

you have to set the grafik eye zones over to 'non-dim' - switched only. that should work. instructions on reprogramming the loads should come with each grafik eye.

You have to be careful with using a dimmer with CFLs as even when set to switched mode they still modify the sine wave which can lead to the CFLs running hot and using nearly 4x the rated energy consumption, unfortunately I have lost the link to the website that showed test results and photographs of some CFLs that had failed catastrophically (burnt/melted lamp body) even when operated in this switched mode via a dimmer. Safest to use an interface relay operated by the Graffik Eye unless the CFL lamp is designed to be dimmed.

[hornydragon]

There are dimmable CFL units available from MEgaman IIRC these may be suitable, but just dimming the lights 10% will save energy and extend lamp life significantly so perhaps just adjust your scenes to be a bit dimmer

[kevshed]

thanks all for the posts... interesting mix of comments... i'll digest further and come back with some clarifying questions i think... just off to do some more research.

thx
Kev

[kevshed]

Originally Posted by Light Designer

Hi kevshed, we use the osram IRC lamp on a majority of our installations (non residential work is heritage and churces, where energy conservation is a key issue). this lamp has a patented coating which converts heat into light, this has two benefits 1 = reduced energy costs 2 = less bacward heat into the ceiling space. The lamps have a 4000 hour life 3 - 4 times the life of mains voltage. By dimming down to 80% you can virtually double the lamp life, which reduces on going maintenace costs. its well worth investing in a decent transformer as the light quality is vastly superior to mains GU10. Transformer and lamp budget = 8- 10 pounds. If you need any more help let me know

Hi, can you send me some more details on these bulbs, or a link to them. Sound interesting... you mention transformers, so presumably these are low voltage... in which case, how would they interface with my lutron? Do they just swap in?

thx
Kev