Thread: Process of changing normal globes to downlights?

Manoftalent I have read previous threads where people do want to put themselves at risk so I understand your concern for people's safety and appreciate your concern.
I also understand a lot about drugs and hep c as I have worked in this field for 17 years. I wish you and your son all the best. People can live pretty normal lives these days with the various treatments on offer.
Patty thanks for your info, I now know what to ask for at the lighting shop!
Thanks everyone.
Cheers
McBlurter

Originally Posted by Mcblurter

No not going to do it myself!!!!
Just on my quest of knowledge that I don't already possess. We are doing a reno and have two lights in the kitchen that use normal screw in bulbs. I want to change these to downlights and was wondering what the process is. I am assuming that the wiring will remain the same but a different connection will be installed?
Is that a pretty simple/cheap job (any ideas on cost of fittings and labour?)
Cheers
McBlurter

I do not recommend downlights. I am an electronics engineer and was involved with the electronic transformer design of these units. The transformers are efficient but lamps and fittings get heated. Also require special handling of the globes. You cannot touch them with fingers while installing the globes.

The best and cheapest option is standard fluorescent lights.

Solid -state lighting is the future. SSL creates visible light with reduced heat generation or parasitic energy dissipation. In addition, its solid-state nature provides for greater resistance to shock, vibration, and wear, thereby increasing its lifespan significantly. Costs will reduce in future. LEDs have the potential to achieve 90%+ conversion efficiencies as a light source

Solid state lighting promises to create unprecedented changes in what we can do with light. Simultaneously, it will deliver on a promise of massive global energy savings and access to useful nighttime lighting that has not been conveniently available to nearly 2 billion people around the world.

Consider this: Halogen filament lamps used in headlights have already been replaced by LED's in LEXUS Automotive headlights. Downlights are hologen lamps

Lexus has unveiled the LS600h L ... It also has the first LED front headlights of any production vehicle.

I do not recommend downlights. I am an electronics engineer and was involved with the electronic transformer design of these units.

So what you are saying is you did a shyte job?

Originally Posted by silentC

So what you are saying is you did a shyte job?

Ignoring your attempted insult. Surprised you tried this crude reply-attack on this decent board.

No I did not design the electronic transformers from scratch. As you are aware most of the circuits are taken from application notes by semiconductor manufacturers. Most brands are very similar in circuitry. This is because they are price sensitive items. They have to be very reliable and meet Australian standards for both lighting electronic equipment and electromagnetic compatability.

I do not like the bulbs because they waste energy as heat. Besides down lights are not optimum light sources.

Ignoring your attempted insult

So how come you replied?

I amused myself anyway, which was my main object. It is funny: "I was involved in the design but they're no good". Classic!

You want to learn to lighten up a bit.

Anyway, to your other points, yes I'm sure LEDs are going to be the standard one day. A bit pricey at the moment though. It will be awhile before you see them in the average home I reckon. In the meantime, you can cut down energy comsumption by switching to different globes.

Learner what is the wattage of this unit?

Originally Posted by patty

Learner what is the wattage of this unit?

100 Watts

The 48 inch “S” model provides the equivalent light output of a 40 watt tube while consuming only 25 watts

EverLED TR fluorescent tube replacement allows pop-in conversion to LEDs

http://www.ledsmagazine.com/press/15167

cool looks good thx for the link will check it out

Have you got any links to pricing info?

Originally Posted by silentC

Have you got any links to pricing info?

Price is very high for the fluoro tubes. It is like the flash USB memory stick when first introduced in the market. We can expect the price to fall in few years.

The rich boys will buy these products as toys. After 2-4 years the price will be reasonable for the common man to afford.

That's what I thought but I couldn't find any prices on the LED lighting sites I checked.

I know that standard fluoro is the most economical as you say, but it's not exactly the most attractive. We've talked about dimming etc. of fluoro on other threads as a disadvantage. There are the fluoro replacement globes for standard halogen globes.

I think what people want at the moment is something that is as effective as what it is replacing, that uses less power, and isn't going to take them a number of years to realise the runnning cost saving over the cost of purchase.

You might say to wait until LED is cheaper, but as you say that could be a number of years away. When an LED lamp is around the same cost as a halogen, then I think all new houses will go that way, rather than halogen.

In the meantime, isn't it hard to recommend LED as a viable alternative?