Outdoor GU10 bulbs

Mike1983 · 18 Nov 2018 at 21:36

Hi all

I have outdoor / IP rated light fittings in my soffits as well as wall lamps. I tend to find that the LED bulbs start to fail after not very prolonged usage, eg 3 months. I’ve tried the “LAP” brand from Screwfix as well as “NXTGEN” from an online retailer.

I’d imagine it has something to do with the ever varying temperature rather than water ingress etc as the enclosures are IP rated and not subject to much rain contact.

Are there any recommendations for a reliable outdoor LED GU10 bulb?

Thanks

bazzabear · 18 Nov 2018 at 21:38

GU10 bulbs are terrible, they fail very easily in my experience.

Change them for LED ones instead. Massively lower wattage, and massively more reliable.

We had a fitting in our kitchen which used 6 GU10's. When we were on 'normal' bulbs, it was a rare month when we didn't have to replace one. Changed to LED bulbs, and never had to replace another in the ~2 years until we moved house.

PiKe · 18 Nov 2018 at 21:39

Poundland do decent LED GU10's.

Mike1983 · 18 Nov 2018 at 21:44

Sorry I should have clarified, they are LED already. OP updated.

HardwareGeek · 18 Nov 2018 at 22:28

Heat kills leds, shouldn't be insulation over the soffit but you never know

Try Enlite Ice

DB_SamX · 18 Nov 2018 at 23:06

On a tangent, can you use GU10 LEDs when the fitting was designed for halogen?

PiKe · 18 Nov 2018 at 23:12

DB_SamX said:
On a tangent, can you use GU10 LEDs when the fitting was designed for halogen?

Of course.

Kimi · 19 Nov 2018 at 07:15

That's odd, I've got 28 lap GU10 outside at the moment. They've been in a year and used almost every day.. I've not had one fail yet.

glenimp617 · 19 Nov 2018 at 08:50

Would you mind linking me to your gu10 enclousures please OP. I've been after some good ones for yonks.
Whilst our front outdoor light is a gu10 unit, it will only take the tiny gu10 lamps, and not the hue ones. If I could find a good one, I can use the hue system to set a timer on it.

Thanks!

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 19 Nov 2018 at 13:13

I've got 10 GU10 Leds outside in black metal enclosures and all going strong, now 2.5 years in. They are only daily as they are on a timer/light level sensor, so about 12 hours in the winter and 6 in the summer

If they are repeatedly failing I would be more inclined to consider if the supply is the issue.
Its always possible its a bad batch.
Screwfix do some really cheap now, I am sure I saw a pack of 50 for £50 but may have been me not paying attention.

Abyss · 19 Nov 2018 at 16:37

I've got a load of Aurora Enlite gu10s outside. They have been on every day since February and working fine so far.

I like the Enlites as they have a wider beam angle than most.

Mike1983 · 19 Nov 2018 at 20:09

TheOracle said:
Would you mind linking me to your gu10 enclousures please OP. I've been after some good ones for yonks.
Whilst our front outdoor light is a gu10 unit, it will only take the tiny gu10 lamps, and not the hue ones. If I could find a good one, I can use the hue system to set a timer on it.

Thanks!

Here’s the enclosures I use in the soffits, IP65 rated. I don’t have Hue bulbs to check for you though I’m afraid

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/Li.../Enlite+IP65+Fire+Rated+GU10+Downlight/p85582

Mike1983 · 19 Nov 2018 at 20:10

Guessing I’ve just been unlucky.

Will buy a new batch and replace in December at the same time as putting the Christmas lights up. Will report back next year

balls · 20 Nov 2018 at 08:28

Also have the same GU10 LED bulbs outside as well as in side and have been for well over a year without needing to change any of them