[diesel]

Hi.
I'm about to have downlighters fitted almost everywhere in my (mainly) self build barn conversion.

The Sparky is coming on Tuesday to fit the downlighters so I now need to choose whether to go mains voltage or LV.

Am I right in thinking that the same wattage fitting will have the same brightness output whether they are LV or mains?

Am I also correct in assuming that LV fittings would use less electricity and consequently be cheaper to run?

If LV is cheaper to run would mains voltage fittings running the energy efficient led bulbs be as cheap as LV and would they be as bright?

Sorry for all the questions. I am basically trying to decide which is the best way to go with my lighting and the sparky has left it to me to sort/source.

Many thanks
Andy

[Jon Boy]

arrrgghhh i know the answer to this but cant for the life of me remember it lolol
There is a good reason to choose one over the other but i cant remember lolol

I think im right in saying (im sure someone will confirm or correct me) you want the ones which come with the transformers and the bulbs with the pins on that you push in and turn , rahter than the ones you just push in. Youll know which ones they are as theyre usually more expensive!
Bear in mind they cost around £2 per bulb to replace , so fitting loads could be expensive in the long run!

Sorry i couldn't be of anymore help matey!

Jon

[Stoke192]

If it where me i'd go for low voltage halogen as you'll be changing the 240v halogens every 5 mins......and there not cheap.

Not to sure about the LED's though...but i'm sure someone will be along shortly with an answer to that one

P.S the LV halogens are the ones with the pins that you push in and the 240v ar the ones with the brass pins/lugs that you push and turn.

[clockworks]

Effective light output will be similar, depending on the design of the reflector.

LV will actually use more electricity, due to losses in the transformer, all other things being equal.

I don't think that LED lamps are as bright. Use halogen where brightness is important, LED for mood lighting/effects.

Mains halogens have their advantages - simple installation and dimmability. Lamps are expensive, and tend to fail early.
LV is harder to install - you need to hide the transformers. Lamps are cheaper, and seem to last longer (probably due to the slower switching caused by the transformer). Some aren't dimmable.

With a new build, I'd go for LV.

[louishm]

if your going for the LV option i would install the ones that have seperate tranformers, not the type you can buy in b&q etc, where they have one tranny controlling 4/6 lights, this way if a tranny ever blows it will only take out one light and not several.
Also Lv have a finer element than the 240v (gu10) option so try not to install in places that have alot of movement above

[diesel]

Thanks fellas.

Yet again the answers I need provided courtesy of the kind chaps on avforums

LV it is then.

50 of the buggers

[helipilot]

I went with 240V ones so that I could use an "off the shelf" remote control dimmer switch with them. I am not sure what dimming options are available with low voltage ones.

[diesel]

Hi helipilot.

I think I'm going with the Ulti Clipsal solution for lighting control, I have checked and this works with LV.

By the way, thats a seriously gorgeous screen you made yourself on another thread.

Andy

[poly]

The dirrerences are....

The 12 Volt MR16 fittings give a better cleaner quality of light and the lamps are considerably cheaper, I've seen four for one pond before now.

The mains GU10 bulbs are £2.50 each and a more yellow light.

Fit a fire protective shield if there are living qualters above and always use individual transformers.

Work out the total wattage by adding the ransformer ratings not the lamps.

Good luck..

[Johnny Thunder]

Go to an electrical wholesaler and you will pay 90p for a mains lamp.

[Jim_Fear]

The 240v ones get hot, and I'm talking HOT!!! The kind of hot where you lick your finger to not burn them and the wetness goes "SIZZLE!!!" as soon as you touch it, even wearing a sock over your hand doesn't shield you ( )

The LV ones are nowhere near as hot but you then lose the ability to dim and you lose some power in the transformation, but the 240v ones will heat your house nicely.

[louishm]

if you ask your electrical wholesaler for "dimmable transformers" you will have no probs dimming them...but your sparky should know all that


cheers

[niceguy235uk]

Lv give a much crisper light thatn mains.

As for being dimmable, nearly all lv transfor,ers are dimmable, but you do have to make sure that you use a dimmer that is capable of dimming a low voltage load. They are NOT the same as standard dimmers.

Also, i really do hope that you have a seperate circuit from the fuse box for 50 downlighters. If it has been connected into the downstairs lighting cirduit then it will just keep tripping. - Just re-read that its a barn conversion so hopefully you should have a seperate supply.

even so, 50 lv lights will need at least 2 seperate circuits from the fuse box.

Back on the subject of dimming, dimmers have a maximum rating, lv or mains.

If you do have 50 then you will need at least five seperate dimmers, 1 dimmer for every 10 lights as the biggest dimmer i have come across for lv lighting is 600W and even then, you dont want to fully load the dimmer to its max.

Apart from that - go for it!