LED Bulb Thread

Felix · 3 Nov 2017 at 10:40

Do LED lights need insulation covers?

Unicorn · 5 Nov 2017 at 20:57

Felix said:
Do LED lights need insulation covers?

Regulations say yes, Touch an led after its been on for 30 mins the heatsink will likely burn you.

mark66 · 18 Nov 2017 at 14:18

Hi,

Probably been asked many times before in this 100 page thread, but I want to replace 8 x 50W halogen MR16's in our loft room. These are currently running of 20-60VA transformers.

1, Can I simply swap out the halogens for LED or must I replace the transformers too?
2, Any recommendations on good MR16's?

A search online seems to be returning many mixed messages!

Thanks

Mull3t · 18 Nov 2017 at 19:25

Anyone used the Ikea Smart LED bulbs with alexa? How do you find them? Toying with getting this set up.

jpaul · 18 Nov 2017 at 19:45

on catchup checkout the gadget show 'review' a few weeks back - they were not complimentary about Ikea smart bulb ecosystem -
did not think bulbs were good value for money with only 3 colours, plus poor app on their controller.

Mull3t · 18 Nov 2017 at 21:06

Ah just had a look, no go for me anyway as majority of my fittings are bayonets and cannot be bothered with adapters. Just really want an alternative to Hue, have tried a couple of hub free/lower cost bulbs but nothing’s stood out yet.

Psycho Sonny · 20 Nov 2017 at 13:35

Mull3t said:
Ah just had a look, no go for me anyway as majority of my fittings are bayonets and cannot be bothered with adapters. Just really want an alternative to Hue, have tried a couple of hub free/lower cost bulbs but nothing’s stood out yet.

smart bulbs aren't really being widely adopted. wait 5 years for all the issues to be ironed out and them to become mass produced. it's like £50 a bulb for decent ones. when a normal bulb is 50p. ridiculous. i would stay clear for now.

Mull3t · 20 Nov 2017 at 16:40

Psycho Sonny said:
smart bulbs aren't really being widely adopted. wait 5 years for all the issues to be ironed out and them to become mass produced. it's like £50 a bulb for decent ones. when a normal bulb is 50p. ridiculous. i would stay clear for now.

Agreed holding off rushing into the lighting at the min, like say used a few lower cost smart bulbs but never been fully happy with them. Will hold out and see what comes up in future.

N0ddie · 22 Nov 2017 at 12:56

Do the HIVE active lights work through the Philips Hue app?

Gammawolf · 22 Nov 2017 at 16:47

mark66 said:
Hi,

Probably been asked many times before in this 100 page thread, but I want to replace 8 x 50W halogen MR16's in our loft room. These are currently running of 20-60VA transformers.

1, Can I simply swap out the halogens for LED or must I replace the transformers too?
2, Any recommendations on good MR16's?

A search online seems to be returning many mixed messages!

Thanks

It depends on the LEDs and transformers i think. A year ago i swapped out 50x (50w MR16) in my house. I ditched the transformers and just bought some GU10 tails and wired those up directly to the mains, and bought LED lamps that ran off 240v. Didn't cost much for the GU10 tails
You could equally replace the transformer with 12v LED drivers, then buy the 12v MR16 LEDs. I have heard you can run the 12v LEDs off the AC transformers but i'm not sure how that affects life span and also with it being AC you're likely to get flickering depending on brand. Also i'm not sure on the 20VA-60VA, the reason i just got rid was i wasn't sure if they needed a minimum power draw to work. I also wanted less electrics in the ceilings (i'd rather replaced failed lights than faff around with fittings and transformers). Separate transformers/LEDs should last longer though due slightly better heat dispensation, but for the cost i'd rather just replace the LEDs

I bought variants on this range: https://www.lightrabbit.co.uk/lightwell-xgen-5-watt-gu10-led-bulb.html

Natural White for kitchen/bathroom/gym, and warm white for hallways. Cool white was too harsh when i sampled it. 5w for everywhere expect 7w for kitchen.

eidolon · 9 Dec 2017 at 09:57

Does your light switches have any bearing on how the bulbs work? The reason I ask is that I've just had my house rewired and chose BG dimmers for the bedrooms but I've tried 3 different brands of LED bulbs but all have their slight problems. Some flicker a bit when half dimmed, some make an annoying buzzing noise and some do both! The only ones which I've found to work perfectly are the Ikea filament style.

carlosvr6 · 9 Dec 2017 at 19:58

eidolon said:
Does your light switches have any bearing on how the bulbs work? The reason I ask is that I've just had my house rewired and chose BG dimmers for the bedrooms but I've tried 3 different brands of LED bulbs but all have their slight problems. Some flicker a bit when half dimmed, some make an annoying buzzing noise and some do both! The only ones which I've found to work perfectly are the Ikea filament style.

I’m using the Screwfix LAP GU10’s with BG dimmers and haven’t had any issues.

eidolon · 9 Dec 2017 at 20:50

carlosvr6 said:
I’m using the Screwfix LAP GU10’s with BG dimmers and haven’t had any issues.

I tried the LAP bulbs (E27) and they flickered when half dimmed. They were fine at full brightness and when on the lowest dimness.

rubberduck · 9 Dec 2017 at 22:19

eidolon said:
Does your light switches have any bearing on how the bulbs work? The reason I ask is that I've just had my house rewired and chose BG dimmers for the bedrooms but I've tried 3 different brands of LED bulbs but all have their slight problems. Some flicker a bit when half dimmed, some make an annoying buzzing noise and some do both! The only ones which I've found to work perfectly are the Ikea filament style.

I always use Philips bulbs if they are to be dimmed. Never had a problem yet.

K.C. Leblanc · 11 Dec 2017 at 07:26

eidolon said:
Does your light switches have any bearing on how the bulbs work? The reason I ask is that I've just had my house rewired and chose BG dimmers for the bedrooms but I've tried 3 different brands of LED bulbs but all have their slight problems. Some flicker a bit when half dimmed, some make an annoying buzzing noise and some do both! The only ones which I've found to work perfectly are the Ikea filament style.

Have a look at the Q&A on this page, it would seem you may need to make a small adjustment.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-1-gang-2-way-400w-push-dimmer-switch-white/65335

eidolon · 11 Dec 2017 at 16:26

K.C. Leblanc said:
Have a look at the Q&A on this page, it would seem you may need to make a small adjustment.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-1-gang-2-way-400w-push-dimmer-switch-white/65335

That's interesting, I didn't realise there was a 4th screw on the back. The electrician is back on Friday so I'll get it sorted then.

Skillmister · 17 Dec 2017 at 15:43

Does anyone know where to get E27 LED outdoor floodlights? Most I've seen don't seem to be outdoor rated.

The two I've taken out are PAR38 and after a quick Google it seems both PAR30 and PAR38 should fit.

I've seen these but at nearly £20 each I'd prefer them to specify for outdoor use! https://www.simplyled.co.uk/product/megaman-15-5w-e27-par38-led/

robj20 · 17 Dec 2017 at 16:37

Felix said:
Do LED lights need insulation covers?

Not all do, take few are now coverable.

silversurfer · 27 Dec 2017 at 21:46

skillmister I saw one similar for 11.99 on amazon ip65
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01G3CR7S6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is there a search engine for LED bulb dimensions maybe. I want 7cm height ideally but thats probably too much of an ask for anything especially bright, e27 but I might be able to alter that to another socket type like gu10 maybe that works better

ash_scotland88 · 16 Mar 2018 at 09:24

Quick low down on dimmers people are using before I buy one from screwfix?