Downlighters in Bathroom. Mains fed (240v) or transformers? Bad experience previously

Frank_Sebem

We are Soon putting the finishing touches to our En Suite/Wetroom. Like any Bathroom it is likely to be subjected to a lot of Steam & Condensation. Now, Wifey has said that she wants small downlighters to replace the Ugly Bulb that has been there years. So, moving forward.... We have had a joiner build us a False Ceiling in this Bathroom and we are now ready to choose our Ceiling lights, which of course must be small circular downlighters. However, my experience with these things is NOT good Here's why....

About 7 years ago we were in a similar position where we were doing up the Bathroom in the old House we used to live in. At the time, the Sparky who was carrying out a rewire told us

"I can take the existing light feed and wire in 240V downlighters or you can buy a kit which consists of 1 transformer & 3 bulbs. At the time he told us the pro's and cons of each choice and we Plumped for 6 Downlighters (2 Kits of 1 Transformer for 3 bulbs). All went well until about 2 months later when 3 of the lights went out for 10 mins and then came back on 10 mins later. So I phoned the manufacturer of the Kit (Ring Ltd) who told me "Yes, the tranny is getting too hot, so it breaks off in order to cool down. !That is why they go off and then come back on when they have Cooled down". They wouldn't accept that their product was faulty. So.... Fast forward 6 months and the other transformer also cuts out. So, to this day those bulbs still cut out regularly. So now in the present day I decided this time to plump for 240v downlighters but my Sparky just told me " Yeah, I can wire in 10 Downlighters for you but it will cost you over £500, because apart from labour etc there is a charge of £30 for each bulb because it has to be fire tested. !Also, these bulbs blow a lot more frequently".!

Now, there's no way we can pay over £500 for a small rooms lighting, but we are baffled which way to turn. Do we go for the Kits that give 240v to a transformer which have proved unreliable previously or must we have mains fed downlighters which blow easier and are VERY expensive?

Any advice Peeps??

kabayiri

How large is your bathroom?

I have recently had installed these fittings and I am impressed with the light quality.
http://www.downlightsdirect.co.uk/downlights/led-downlights-complete-fittings/evoled-fire-rated-ip65-led-downlights-3x3w-9w-/cat_47.html

They are not a cheap unit at £40+ a fitting, but I think you would find you need a lot less than 10.

They have a useful page for safe zones in the bathroom too :-
http://www.downlightsdirect.co.uk/pdf/IP%20Ratings%20&%20Bathroom%20Zones.pdf

The lights I link to are IP65 rated; only you will know if you need higher rated like IP67.

Hintza

Have a look a Halers.com. We have 3 in a small ensuite so I can't imagine you will need more than 4-6.

madget_2

Hintza wrote: »

Have a look a Halers.com. We have 3 in a small ensuite so I can't imagine you will need more than 4-6.

We have 4 Halers EvoLEDs in our ensuite bathroom and have been delighted with them so far.

moonrakerz

Another wholehearted endorsement for Halers EvoLEDs. Have 7 in my kitchen. Brilliant ! (pun ! geddit ? :rotfl:)

teeach

probably needed firehoods not fire testing and they are not expensive, although they would need to be ip rated aswell and they do "blow" quicker though. I would go with l.e.d or compact flouresents downlights(transformer driven) they are a bit more expensive but last alot longer and a nicer light imo. i guess the transformers was not installed correctly. i.e no free air around it etc.. or just got unlucky twice

baldelectrician

I have just put in new lanps on my stairs - I previously had 240V mains halogen at 50W per lamp.

I have put in 7W LED lamps (warm white) and they are brighter and use 7 times less electricity

I would suggest spash proof fire rated lights - I priced them at £32 + vat each for a job last week.

Please remember if the ceiling is plastic cladding you should not put in halogen spot lights as some ceilings will be a fire risk due to the plastic overheating

To get technical - the efficiency is measured in "lumens per circuit watt"
In Scotland you need 55 Lumens per circuit watt now, in England / Wales it's 40 lumens per circuit watt

If you can go for higher rated ones as they will be birghter and last a long time

I have also heard good things about the Halers lights- just look into the efficiency as there are differences

pollypenny

The bulb in one of the set-in spotlights in my shower room has gone. OH thinks it has to be replaced from above; this would mean moving loads of deep insulation (we live in a long bungalow).

Is he right? Can they not be replaced from below? And what bulb should we get, please?