LED Downlights

[Wrexter]

Anyone bought/used any? I was leaning towards CFL downlights but they're just too ugly and too many negatives to fit out the whole house with.

Sourcing decent quality/decent price LED downlights to fit into a new house, looking at these:

http://www.ledcentral.com.au/online-store/5x3watt-led-downlights/flypage/5x3watt-dimmable-white-fixture

A friend of mine has been using these for the past 8 months with success but at $64 each they are pricy.

My understanding of LED is that the ones with the in built heat sink (from link) are the way to go as they will last the longest due to LED sensitivity to heat.

Anyone used any that they are happy with and are a decent price.


Due to the expensive nature of the lights, thinking about using 35W Halogen in low use areas (toilets/bathrooms/laundry/WIR) and upgrading to LED down the track when they become cheaper and better.

Thanks.

[TheChad]

SSICK should have the answers!



I'm just here for when this turns into another lighting pun thread like your last one...

[Wrexter]

waiting to be enlightened....

[SSICK]

Alphalux -3 year warranty on LEDs and Gimble....9, 11, 14 watt, 3500k - 4500k (have 11W 4500k in my own house...brilliant) 76mm - 92mm
Lumex - 7 year warranty on LEDs and Gimble 11 watt 3500k - 4500k
GE - 1 year warranty on LEDs and Gimble.9W 3500k
Crompton - 2 year warrant on LEDs and gimble 11W 4500k (AKF6 has these in his house....)

all available in white or satin silver (white halogens will turn yellow after 12 months, LEDs shouldnt have a problem.

Highly recommend the Alphalux.

they have stopped making 50W halogen globes, you can buy the energy saver 35W that has the same output as a 50W...

[Joe]

LEDs are brilliant in commercial applications, but also work well in your ohm.

[ELUSIV]

Main advantage of LED downlights over CFL/Halogen/other shit is heat and energy use, LED's are far more efficient and run far cooler.

Two options with LED downlights:

MR16 12V LED. These LED lights run at 12V so require a transformer to run them. From what I understand (I've only started learning about this myself recently as I am also building) you need a decent quality iron core transformer to handle voltage spikes/regulate current otherwise the globes can get toasted easy. You can run 1-3 lights off a transformer depending on the distance, again from my understanding 2m is the maximum you can have a light from a transformer. Most people usually recommend running one transformer per light.

GU10 240V LED. These LED lights run at 240V and have a transformer built in to step it down to 12V. They are apparently better at handling spikes in current. They are probably slightly cheaper to wire when paying a sparky to do these as they are a little simpler.

Check prices, see what will come out cheaper for your lighting plan. Depending on ceiling height you'll need to work out the beam angle that would be most suited for the application and then depending on the distance between each light what power you want to run.

Look forward to hearing from others and correct me if I'm wrong as I am looking at these options myself now too :)

[SSICK]

Main advantage of LED downlights over CFL/Halogen/other shit is heat and energy use, LED's are far more efficient and run far cooler.

Two options with LED downlights:

MR16 12V LED. These LED lights run at 12V so require a transformer to run them. From what I understand (I've only started learning about this myself recently as I am also building) you need a decent quality iron core transformer to handle voltage spikes/regulate current otherwise the globes can get toasted easy. You can run 1-3 lights off a transformer depending on the distance, again from my understanding 2m is the maximum you can have a light from a transformer. Most people usually recommend running one transformer per light.

all depends what transformer you buy, iron cores are rare and are expensive....and get fuckin hot. 1 WATT = 1 VA (500VA trnsformer can run 500W of power) most transformers suppled are 4 - 60VA so you could run up to 6 lights off 1 transformer. the bigger the cable on the 12V side of the transformer the longer you can run....i have run 20m from a transformer on 4mm2 2 core cable.

GU10 240V LED. These LED lights run at 240V and have a transformer built in to step it down to 12V. They are apparently better at handling spikes in current. They are probably slightly cheaper to wire when paying a sparky to do these as they are a little simpler.

cheaper to wire? nah......not in a home domestic install....all downlights are pretty much the same, either hardwired or plug and lead to a socket outlet./COLOR]

Check prices, see what will come out cheaper for your lighting plan. Depending on ceiling height you'll need to work out the beam angle that would be most suited for the application and then depending on the distance between each light what power you want to run.

[COLOR="#FF0000"]60 deg all round is the norm....
Look forward to hearing from others and correct me if I'm wrong as I am looking at these options myself now too :)

........

[MadDocker]

I do commercial lighting for a living. If you want something decent, PM me. It isn't the cheapest shit you can buy but I can do reasonable deals on good quality gear and also point you in the direction of people that do cheaper shit but won't rip you off.

[Bomber]

Anyone else care to shed some light on the subject?

[TheChad]

Have you been living in darkness using candles to navigate your house for the past 8 months wrexter?

http://antilag.com/forums/showthread.php?51980-Downlights-advice-GU10-vs.-MR16&highlight=downlights

:P

[_S9_]

So many good puns I think I've diode and gone to heaven.

[pgc]

Careful asking for advice here. You may be LED down the garden path...

[Blueraven]

Been using the below for more than a year no issues, only 5w but replaced half the 50w downlights in my house with them. Be careful though, if you have the small digital transformers they can be touchy/flicker.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Down-Light-Bulb-12V-LED-Warm-WHI-Aluminum-Alloy-2012-MR16-5W-/120939216332?pt=AU_Lighting_Fans&hash=item1c2889fdcc

[SSICK]

Electronic transformer....

[ForgedV6]

A friend of mine was around checking out the place ive bought with the Mrs and he was also talking about installing LED down lights. He didn't mention brands but said prepare to pay around $70-$75 per unit. Will look good though.

SSICK - Have you got any opinion on the new Excellife switches and outlets?

[SSICK]

its HPM....so its shit. All the talk at the moment is about clipsals new touch sensitive gear.....but prepare to be pineappled......$100 for 1 switch....

[forde]

^^^Can't agree with this more, avoid HPM like the plague. We've been installing quite a few Lumitex barricade dimmible LED's lately, they seem pretty good.
http://lumitex.com.au/products/led-downlights/

[colt75]

bought one off ebay

a CREE led MR16 4x3W warm white 12 v globe.

it was the brightest one i could find on ebay.

put it in and it wasnt even half as bright as my 50W halogen :(

was trying to get something brighter than the current 50w which i thought it might do, but failed

[ELUSIV]

........

Cheers dude! Hard to find out good info when I've been piecing together all the stuff I've read from different sources.

What's your verdict on MR16 vs GU10 for a new house?

Was looking at 60 degree for living areas, around 12-15W should be suitable (lights will be spaced approx 2m apart).

[Azrian]

Alphalux -3 year warranty on LEDs and Gimble....9, 11, 14 watt, 3500k - 4500k (have 11W 4500k in my own house...brilliant) 76mm - 92mm
Lumex - 7 year warranty on LEDs and Gimble 11 watt 3500k - 4500k
GE - 1 year warranty on LEDs and Gimble.9W 3500k
Crompton - 2 year warrant on LEDs and gimble 11W 4500k (AKF6 has these in his house....)

all available in white or satin silver (white halogens will turn yellow after 12 months, LEDs shouldnt have a problem.

Highly recommend the Alphalux.

they have stopped making 50W halogen globes, you can buy the energy saver 35W that has the same output as a 50W...

Im happy as with my choice.

[V70R]

Avoid cheap ebay MR16 lights. I had one start fire and others have already begun flickering.
I have pics of it here if anyone wants to see it (cant upload @ work)

I put a few posts in the "cool shit you bought" thread last year - comparing most MR16 leds against the 50w halogens etc.

[Rich]

did anyone catch the news tonight? had a story about down lights setting houses on fire. heard it on the radio but wasnt home in time to watch it.

[Poktrokt]

did anyone catch the news tonight? had a story about down lights setting houses on fire. heard it on the radio but wasnt home in time to watch it.

I'm not a down light fan! A lot will over heat and if not installed properly, will start fires with your insulation! Plus they chew a LOT of power! Although they are very pretty!!
You putting in your new place Rich?
I assume the article refers to cheap down lights and not good quality!

[KeeddleZ]

Used to work for these guys, might be of interest to this thread.
http://www.screentech.com.au/products/led-lighting

[ELUSIV]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5avJVvrFedc

[Rich]

I'm not a down light fan! A lot will over heat and if not installed properly, will start fires with your insulation! Plus they chew a LOT of power! Although they are very pretty!!
You putting in your new place Rich?
I assume the article refers to cheap down lights and not good quality!

Yes I am thinking about putting them in the new house. Not a fan of the whole fire thing

[MadDocker]

Just make sure they are installed correctly with downlight canisters and nothing over the top of them and you'll be fine.

[Turbo2.6L]

As above, fires start when you use cheap shitters that get extremely hot & you don't shield them from insulation. If you use the heat canisters & don't lay insulation back over the light after install, you won't cause an electrical fire.

[R3N]

Bought some on eBay a couple weeks ago, finally got them and installed one to try. Flipped the switch and it would turn on and back off again. I think it might be something to do with my drivers? Need to read up more or possibly fork out for the Philips range...

[HANS YOLO]

http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/4w-mr16-led-downlight-4-pack/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20120909+-+AU+-+LED+downlights+-+29&utm_content=20120909+-+AU+-+LED+downlights+-+29+CID_811f58fee214cbc289bdf53f6304d963&utm_source=MailList&utm_term=View+Deal

whats this all about then? thoughts? i might get some to try at my parents joint

[R3N]

Good read for those wanting to retrofit MR16 LEDs like myself. Because I think I have electronic drivers, I am limited to the more expensive globes :(

http://lightingmatters.com.au/blog/converting-halogen-to-led-downlights-guide/

[MadDocker]

Or just buy some iron core transformers? 50vA would probably cost a random about $10-15.

[R3N]

Bumping an old thread.

Masters have a sale on at the moment, buy one get one free of any bulb. So went and bought some to try out. Long story short, I have given up as even the Philips ones that are dimmable, do not work with the dimmable transformers that I have, but work with the non-dimmable transformers where the Mort Bay ones didn't. Instead of taking them back to get a refund, if anyone wants them, happy to sell for what I paid as I know these have sold out due to how much money you can save on them. I have:

10x http://www.masters.com.au/product/900040952/philips-ambient-7w-36d-led-focused-beam-globe-warm-white
2x http://www.masters.com.au/product/100454721/mort-bay-5w-gu5-3-mr16-led-globe-warm-white

At $22.50, I saved over $100 buying 10. So if anyone is planning on changing over to LED, grab them from me, or if you need any more or a different type, call up the stores or order from the online store.

[Lasoya]

Im presuming you have halogen running gear(transformer), im in the same boat, if i want to make my LED lights dimmable i need to swap out to the LED running gear

[RELEASE]

revival of a slightly old thread.
still a little while away (roof is just on) but was buying some replacement globes for parents place yesterday and guy had both Crompton and Vibe LED downlight.

Tom mentioned the Crompton ones as Adrian used them in his house but any heard about the Vibe ones? good or bad?
they come with 3 year warranty on the whole lot, apparently he sells more of them than Crompton.
The ones he had were 12W 4000K and the globe "looked" like a halogen one but was LED rather than the globes of some who have multiple smaller LED in the one globe.

People buying the units themselves then getting installed or is it cheaper to have the electrician buy and install in one price?
rule of thumb for working out how many you need per room/area?

[MadDocker]

People buying the units themselves then getting installed or is it cheaper to have the electrician buy and install in one price?
rule of thumb for working out how many you need per room/area?

Depends if you know someone in the business or not really. A sparky will mark up the downlight generally but will get them cheaper then someone from the general public walking into Beacon or something.

Depends on the wattage, beam spread, size of room etc.

[SimonR32]

I ended up going 4" CFL down lights in my house due to cost. They are shit loads cheaper than LED's and if you get the right ones they actually don't look any different.

[SSICK]

but they take 2-3 minutes to get to full brightness.

got a link to them?

[Joe]

I just went with LED throughout. We have close to 60 in our new place.

Wasn't absurdly more expensive than ordinary downlights, and I reckon I'll save the difference in electricity within a couple of years.

As for brand, I'm sure they're Clipsal ones going by the display board my builder has in the prestart room.

[SSICK]

fuck man, clipsal ones will be atleast twice as much as any others.

are you having a suspended ceiling on the bottom floor or concrete?

[Joe]

They really weren't pricey at all.. Could very well be something else, I'll have to check my addendum.

We have concrete slab lower floor, no suspended ceiling. All the form work for the downlights has been done already.

[SimonR32]

but they take 2-3 minutes to get to full brightness.

got a link to them?

They use the standard size tornado globes not the GU5 which are the ones that take time to reach full brightness. Plus you can get the 20w globes which are really bright.

I really wanted LED's but costs were getting out of control. They are similar to these ones but top mounted not side mounted

http://www.lightingillusions.com.au/shop/78/1282/jupiter-4-dimmable-15w-compact-fluorescent-downlight-kit

[sethor]

I really wanted LED's but costs were getting out of control. They are similar to these ones but top mounted not side mounted

http://www.lightingillusions.com.au/shop/78/1282/jupiter-4-dimmable-15w-compact-fluorescent-downlight-kit

How much did you pay for them?

I just retrofitted our MR16 GU5.3 downlights with the new gen 7w Phillips Master LED globes, which with shopping around managed to get them for about $24ea. If you need the downlight housing/transformer thats about $14, together that is $38 + installation.

[Joe]

They really weren't pricey at all.. Could very well be something else, I'll have to check my addendum.

We have concrete slab lower floor, no suspended ceiling. All the form work for the downlights has been done already.

Just checked, they're Hillstone LED downlights.

For the record, it was $31 extra per downlight to upgrade to the Hillstone LED, from an ordinary downlight. Damn cheap I thought, considering it was via my builder.

[forde]

Make sure they put shrouds over those hillstone LED's and screw the drivers down joe.

[MadDocker]

If it's these, they shouldn't need an extra shroud. http://www.hillstoneled.com/category/downlight/

[forde]

They do. New laws came into effect a few months ago meaning they need them now.

[MadDocker]

Learn something new everyday. Cheers.

[Darkside]

Have had a good run with the Hillstones Joe.

[Joe]

Glad to hear Blaise!

I'm sure they'll have the shrouds, although the vast majority of them are sitting recessed in my slab, as I haven't got a suspended ceiling downstairs.. Little chance of a fire either way.

[SimonR32]

How much did you pay for them?

I just retrofitted our MR16 GU5.3 downlights with the new gen 7w Phillips Master LED globes, which with shopping around managed to get them for about $24ea. If you need the downlight housing/transformer thats about $14, together that is $38 + installation.

About half of that ($38) with globes and cover shroud, add that to the fact because they throw better light I only needed half of them it's about 1/4 of the cost.

Actually I just checked and I was looking at $5000ish for LED's (getting ssick to do them) but these cost me $1000 (they were $37 each for the unit, globe, shroud and install).

[findingnewo]

I am just about to install LED downlights through my house and have been doing a bit of research.
This is a really great aussie site: http://www.ledbenchmark.com/
When you look at the downlights by score, you will see which ones are recommended. They range from $100 each down to $35.
Some of the cheaper ones have a nice look and a great score and still have a long warranty.

I have a few samples of LED lights, the replacement globes are rubbish. I have Verbatim, and two types of phillips which are 7watt. They produce hardly any light and have a narrow beam. I would not bother using these.
I also have a LED Kit (which is the whole light in one bit). This is only 10W and produces excellent light and does not get hot, it gets warm, but no problems holding on to the rear of it after its been on a few hours and would not pose a fire risk.
This one is CLA brand, which is not on the benchmark site.

It all depends how much money you are going to spend. Most of the local lighting stores will try and sell you Hillman brand (I think its a local company), but these go for about $95 each. Beacon also sell their LEDLUX brand for about that price.

I have about 50 lights to go in, so I will be looking at the $30 - 40 range.
These go for $31 each if you buy in pack of 10. http://www.iglobe.com.au/buy-online/downlight-maxx-kit/ Look really nice also
These also look kinda tidy and are 36 http://www.electriciansupplies.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_490_523_524&products_id=3601

There is also a few decent threads on whirlpool forums.

[Jimmy_S]

We're considering changing the halogen downlights over to LED in our new place... Worthwhile?

The current ones are set up with dimmers in a number of rooms though? Not sure if they will still work with the LEDs?

[SSICK]

I also have a LED Kit (which is the whole light in one bit). This is only 10W and produces excellent light and does not get hot, it gets warm, but no problems holding on to the rear of it after its been on a few hours and would not pose a fire risk.
This one is CLA brand, which is not on the benchmark site.
.

I use 100 of these a month. Just put 57 of them in YOUR MATEs house, good even spread of light and as said before heating is not an issue.

[SSICK]

We're considering changing the halogen downlights over to LED in our new place... Worthwhile?

The current ones are set up with dimmers in a number of rooms though? Not sure if they will still work with the LEDs?

If the existing lights are running electronic core transformers you should be ok (pending the LEDs you get are intact dimmable) if they run iron core trannies then you have a problem that will cost you the price of a new dimmer .......$37 and about 10 minutes of an electricians time.

[Darkside]

Jimmy,

Some are dimmable and some aren't. The hillstone ones I have used are dimmable.

[findingnewo]

I use 100 of these a month. Just put 57 of them in YOUR MATEs house, good even spread of light and as said before heating is not an issue.

What do you mean put them in your mates house? Are they no good?

[Alt_F4]

What do you mean put them in your mates house? Are they no good?
Haha, YOUR MATE is a user on this forum

[YOUR MATE]

Hulloooooo.

[1cut808]

We've almost finished building our new house and have fitted it out with LED Downlights. Over 70 of them... They are friggin awesome!!

[RELEASE]

Which ones you go for?

[1cut808]

Which ones you go for?

LEDLUX 11W Brushed Chrome LED Downlights... Any good? They are a crap load brighter than I expected...

Looking up to the patio area with the LED's on... 100sqm area and it lights up like a bloody beacon!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/547136_10151759215200489_1152731889_n.jpg

Kitchen lighting... The range hood still has Halogen's for the moment...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/547487_10151791546470489_691177077_n.jpg

Entry way with only 4x LED's. Plenty bright enough...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1095078_10151791546720489_175161530_n.jpg

We are still about a month away from handover. Can't wait to get in there!!

[MadDocker]

Nice looking house.

[1cut808]

Nice looking house.

Thanks man... Bought an Acre and a Quarter in the Hunter Valley and building the Milano 16M with some variations including a triple garage and a split level through McDonald Jones Homes. F'n pricey over here considering they only build Brick Veneer....

[DRKWRX]

yeah house looks sweet, are those 28c doorframes with 32c ceiling?

[Joe]

Very nice, love the handle-less kitchen cabinetry.. We are doing the same, with Hafele drawer channels.

Is that a Teknobili T7 sink mixer?

[1cut808]

yeah house looks sweet, are those 28c doorframes with 32c ceiling?


Very nice, love the handle-less kitchen cabinetry.. We are doing the same, with Hafele drawer channels.

Is that a Teknobili T7 sink mixer?

Pretty sure.. I deal in mm LOL and Yes.. Teknobili OZ T7300 pull-out sink mixer. Full soft close drawers with built in lid/accessory drawer in the top ones and all cupboards are 2 pack painted for that smooth seamless glass like finish

All internal and external doors are 2340mm high.. Upper section has 2700mm ceiling heights and lower split is 3088mm ceiling height..

[Joe]

Same mixer as I'm getting.. How is it?

[DRKWRX]

nice! (meant 31c ceiling) the higher doorframes and ceiling make a big difference hey!

[1cut808]

Same mixer as I'm getting.. How is it?

I have no idea as yet. We do our pre-handover inspection Tuesday week and note all defects and then wait till they rectify everything and hopefully get possession..


nice! (meant 31c ceiling) the higher doorframes and ceiling make a big difference hey!

Yeah, the higher ceilings with the higher doors makes a huge difference. A lot of people building go for the higher ceiling but don't think about raising the door frames to compensate and it looks odd.

[thommo]

who did the doors?

Mine are that high in my place and no one seems to wanna do a replacement as its nottheir standard 2040 high door...

Lights look awesome, think I need some

[Pop Alexandra]

I have no idea as yet. We do our pre-handover inspection Tuesday week and note all defects and then wait till they rectify everything and hopefully get possession..



Yeah, the higher ceilings with the higher doors makes a huge difference. A lot of people building go for the higher ceiling but don't think about raising the door frames to compensate and it looks odd.
They really change the overall vibe that the recessed downlights (https://ndrelectric.com/category/recessed) give the place.
Congrats on the end result!