Help with low voltage downlights

fapa247

Hello all

I'm getting some downlights installed in my house and after surfing the web to research which ones to install, I've hit a brick wall Would someone be able to help answer some questions please?

I'm getting low voltage v12 downlights. I know they need a transformer but does EACH light need one individually or can a few of them be connected to one transformer?

If I want an area in a room to be controlled by one light switch - does that area of lights need it's own transformer or can all areas be connected to a/many transformers?

I apologise in advance if the answers are simple and obvious - my brain has just switched off (excuse the punn)...!!! :rotfl:

ormus

all depends. some need their own transformers, some (multiple lights) can be powered by a single larger transformer.
you can control more than one transformer with a single light switch.

keystone

fapa247 wrote: »

.......... my brain has just switched off (excuse the punn)...!!! :rotfl:

Too much fappa247 perhaps?

Cheers

27col

Mine all have their own transformers. But are controlled in groups. If a transformer blows then you only have the inconvenience of losing one light.

Hintza

Whoa......OP

Why low voltage? Why not LCD? You really want to get ones that will be cheap to run in the long term.

Have a look at Halers or similar.

keystone

Low voltage is 240 volts.

Cheers

MX5huggy

keystone wrote: »

Low voltage is 240 volts.

Cheers

Of course you are strictly speaking correct, but in a domestic situation the OP Is talking about 12 volt lighting.

It's watts that cost money not volts to run.

Don't do it OP the 50 watt halogen spot should be banned, I oftern walk into kitchens with 12 or so, but people think they are saving the plant because they have a CFL in the bog.

ListysDad

I'm dead interested in these new LCD lamps... Just can't see how the dickens anything could be lit with one however as LCDs have to have a backlight to be seen...

If you're insistent on down-lights go for compact fluorescents. LED ones are too expensive to buy and their useful working life is 25% of that quoted at best. Sign up to Which to see a recent report confirming this.

If you decide to go halogen DO NOT install dichroic in a lower ceiling as they'll continually be blowing. Dichroic lamps send their heat out the back so over heat very quickly. Use the non dichroics or aluminised reflectors. Compacts and LEDs it don't matter.