Some possible downlighting advice please?

[thelegendofyrag]

Hi guys, I'm not sure if what I'm about to post has much relevance or can be improved but then I'm not exactly in the knowledge of lighting or electrics.

I live in a new build house with 6 down lighters in the living room, two in my hall-way and four in the kitchen and upstairs bathroom

These were all 50w each GU10's and we found they kept blowing for fun, (not so much fun for me having to keep changing them).

A couple of the ones I changed have blown again along with some of the others. Four in total in the lounge one hallway and two kitchen. As well as two in the upstairs bathroom.

So we decided to go with lower wattage bulbs, now 30w and so far so good none have gone so the living room consists of 4 30w and 2 50w. Hall-way 1 of each. Kitchen two of each bathroom all 50w at the moment. But of course they are not so bright more yellow than the 50w ones which were nice and white. The living room ones are now controlled via a 300w homeasy remote dimmer.

Now my question is are there any different types of bulbs that would be better than what I'm currently putting in that will give a whiter light?

Thanks in advance

Gary.

[Indecisive]

I had the same problem. They stick these in new builds to keep costs down, but look good. The GU10's last 5 mins and have high electricity costs.

I have now started to replace mine with 50w low voltage downlights as they last longer, have a better light output and use less power. I have also found the dimmer worked better with these.

[thelegendofyrag]

Originally Posted by Indecisive

I had the same problem. They stick these in new builds to keep costs down, but look good. The GU10's last 5 mins and have high electricity costs.

I have now started to replace mine with 50w low voltage downlights as they last longer, have a better light output and use less power. I have also found the dimmer worked better with these.

Cheers for the info. which bulbs do you use?

[Indecisive]

Originally Posted by thelegendofyrag

Cheers for the info. which bulbs do you use?

Not as simple as just changing the bulbs I'm afraid.

You will also need to change the lamp fittings and you will need to fit a transformer per fitting.

No mega expensive but certainly more than just new bulbs

Something like this is what you will need

Halolite Fixed MR16 Polished Chrome Low Voltage Downlight - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

[thelegendofyrag]

Thanks for the advice will keep it in mind when i have the spare cash! If i'm to do the living room id rather do the rest of the house too.

Is it just a case of pulling the fitting through the holes disconnecting them and replacing with new ones along with transformer?

Gary.

[Indecisive]

Originally Posted by thelegendofyrag

Thanks for the advice will keep it in mind when i have the spare cash! If i'm to do the living room id rather do the rest of the house too.

Is it just a case of pulling the fitting through the holes disconnecting them and replacing with new ones along with transformer?

Gary.

I had an electrician friend in to do mine, but I am sure that was all he did yes.

[silver12]

12V 50W lamps use exactly the same amount of electricity as 230V 50W lamps, whomever advised you is wrong.

Your best bet is either to pay good quality lamps from an electrical wholesaler, or consider fitting an alternative lamp.

You can buy compact fluorescent lamps with a GU10 base. They are 8W and give the same light output as a 50W halogen.

[Zog]

Once all are controlled by a dimmer and never operated above 90% of their full output you should see a considerable improvement in their lamp life.

Dont try and adapt them to take LV lamps as the thermal characteristics are quite different and the consequences could be calamitous.

You WILL be disappointed with the 8w CFL retrofits.

Short term - dimmers

Long term - replace with LV luminaires/lamps and transformers.

[eireann10]

mains voltage GU10 lamps are poor compared to LV 12v 50W lamps

they give off a poorer light and as you are experiencing blow a lot sooner than 12v 50W lamps

as had been said, these are put in at new build to keep the cost down

if i was you i would replace these Gu10's with 12v 50w lamps as said in post #4

[tonymccandless]

Silver12

What do you regard as high quality ? I have tried quite a few retailers and have so far failed to find anything that stays the distance. Do you think the 30W v's 50W argument is sound ?

T

[tonymccandless]

Just bought 25 GE 35W bulbs and will swap out whole rooms and monitor their performance v's current bulbs.