Need basic lighting help please, don't know where to start

[Dankeech]

Hi,
I'm planning purchase of a flat next year and need help on lounge ligthing options. Basically, I'm looking for a 1-gang solution that's remote controlled and preferably using ceiling spotlights unless anyone has better ideas on an alternative style.

I like the look of Varilight switches etc, but don't know what sort of bulbs/technology to use with it.

I'd like to be able to dim the room without getting any buzzing too.


If I can save on the electrics bill too with a fairly efficient solution, all the better.

Here's an idea of the sort of room I'm looking at, I've taken the dimensions (5x3m) and google-sketched my plans.

Any help appreciated (how many lights, technology-type, brand, model, anything else)....

[Bruce_]

To avoid buzzing, use a dimmer that uses transistors (trailing edge dimming). The Lutron dimmers, like Telume, are transistor based. The majority of dimmers still use triacs (leading edge). Probably not easy to tell, except that the transistor dimmers will be much more expensive.

Anything that's energy efficient will be unlikely to dim very well. Megaman make "dimmable" CFLs, but they still don't dim all that well. If you're happy to dim no lower than about 30%, then you might be OK.

You could try LEDs. They might be the best solution. But to dim them you still need to be careful to buy ones that are dimmable.

Obviously you'd be better to have several circuits, as that gives you choice. You need lighting that's bright, for things like reading. You want some nice soft lighting for watching TV. So perhaps consider wall lights (reflected light), as well as downlights (direct light). But if you are limited to 1 circuit, then you probably need to choose just one.

Avoid GU10 lamps. They are nasty. 50W halogen downlights are very popular. But for the size of room you probably want to install 6 or 8, so that's 300 or 400W.

[Dankeech]

Thanks Bruce! I'm on my way out now, but expect further questions probably tomorrow once I've done a research into what you've advised (And got back home from a night out with friends )

Dan.

[Dankeech]

Ok, been round a friend's and he has downgraded to 20w halogens in his room but still has far too many spotlights. I'm thinking 6x 20w halogens for the lounge would probably be enough. I reckon I'll be pretty happy with 1-gang to be honest.

So I'm guessing a halogen solution would be:
6x 20w Halogen downlights inc lamps
1x 12v Transformer rated to at least 120w
1x Remote dimmer rated to at least the transformer's rating.

I'm looking ideally at a budget of no more that £300. Closer to £200 would be nice.

Regards to what products are 'Trailing Edge DImming' or not, I'm finding a lot of online shops don't say either way. I like the Varilight switches but am now worried about if using their lowest switch (400w rated) with 120w worth of lamps may have implications and also concerned about possible buzzing. Seating position likely to be 2m from the light switch I guess but I'd like think my hearing is quite sensitive (as probably we all like to think =] )

Can anyone suggest:
A dimmer switch (1-gang, ir remote)
A set of halogen 20w lights (does it matter what make, and also is there a certain size that works best etc)
A transformer

...all for under £300.

Really appreciate any help on this, just trying to fully plan flat at the moment.

Thanks!

Dan.

[Bruce_]

There's a huge range of downlights. From a few quid each, up to around £100. I guess you want cheapish ones, but the list is endless. I don't have any recommendations sorry.

A standard dimmer will buzz. It depends on whether that bothers you. 120W is probably going to be reasonably quiet though.

Lutron is expensive, but it's very good. example: http://www.screwfix.com/prods/98510/...LUTRON-_-98510

The Varilight dimmers seem to be good, but I've never used one myself. The touch and remote is trailing edge, and half the price of Lutron. http://www.lighting-direct.co.uk/1-x...el-p-5578.html

Use an electronic transformer. Make sure it's dimmable. 105VA seems to be the common size. So either you need to risk using one, or buy 2. It it was my install, I'd run separate transformers per lamp, but that's not good for 20W lamps. So the best solution would be 3 lamps per transformer. You can get 60VA transformers. It's very likely that one 105VA transformer will run perfectly well too, especially if you're not going to run it at 100%. but that's your choice.

Even for £200, you could afford Lutron. But you could get away with less.

If you wanted really nice downlights, I like these: http://www.lightcorporation.com/cat/tyrell.php but they are £70 each (inc lamp and transformer)

[Dankeech]

Thanks again Bruce, think it's all coming together now in terms of what I need.

I've decided probably a good idea to get 8 downlights instead of 6. Here's a planned shopping list for what I think I'll need then. If you can confirm all's okay with this list I'm pretty much done.

Lutron Single Remote Dimmer switch
£85

Lutron IR Remote
£25

8x 12V MR16 Halogen Downlight fittings
£32

A pack of 10 MR16 12V 20W bulbs
£6

A suitable Tranformer
About £10

Chocolate-blocks & wire budget
About £20

That brings me up to about £178...wow, well within budget.

Dan.

[Bruce_]

yeah, that looks fine

make sure you won't ever need adjustable downlights. fixed are cheaper, but not by much, and you can't ever focus them. just in case you might want to point them at something