Changing from halogen to LED....Easy?

isotonic_uk

Hi Fellow moneysavers

I currently have halogen lights in our kitchen and one of them has blown out. I want to change over to LED but I have a few questions first.

How would i know if my lights are using a transformer or not?

I want to go led to save on cost. We have a strip lighting which has 4 bulbs. Could i insert one LED light and replace the halogen ones as they slowly drop off or do i need to use all LEDs at the same time?

I have taken down one of the halogen lights and it says B5H 240w 50w but i cant seem to find what type of equivalent LED i need. Is someone able to help me please? it looks like a GU10 fitting, could I just replace it with this?

Any recommended suppliers online for LED lights. Ones which would be good are ones who offer no fuss returns if the bulb doesnt work.

Thanks in advance for any help

Mankysteve

If its an GU 10 fitting then there a straight swap. If its an mr5 or other low voltage fitting ie 12v you'll need to replace the transformers.

isotonic_uk

Mankysteve wrote: »

If its an GU 10 fitting then there a straight swap. If its an mr5 or other low voltage fitting ie 12v you'll need to replace the transformers.

Is MR5 similar to GU10 fitting or does it look different? My only concern is it doesnt say GU10 on the halogen light that has blown out.

Thanks

jcb208

look at https://www.easy-lightbulbs.com/light-bulbs/halogen-lighting/dichroic-halogen-reflector/ will show you the difference

isotonic_uk

I think I found what I am looking, have confirmed it is GU10 fitting.

https://www.ledhut.co.uk/spot-lights/gu10-led-bulbs/new-5-watt-gu10-led-bulb-wide-beam-angle.html

We looking for as bright as possible, they seem to be reputable and they offering 20% off and free delivery on orders.

Wish me luck

Will post back to let you know how I get on, as these are extra bright with 420 lumens and wide angle lighting.

jcb208

Straight swop then,those led's look the same as I got from another supplier and there pretty good and very bright,Just make sure you get the colour your happy with.I got cool white which are great in the bathroom but a bit crisp for the living room but soon got used to them

patman99

Go for the ones with no lens on the front and with a whole load of CREE chips on (these are small square things). I paid £5 each from a trader at my local bootsale (he is there every week) for 4 of these and they are as bright as the GU10 halogens that I had installed previously.

I tried the CREE units with 3 chips and a lens, but found them quite dim in comparison.

almillar

420 lumens isn't as bright as a 60W spotlight - they're boasting a bit. It's not as bright as your 50W ones either, but getting close...

pimento

I did a straight swap in my kitchen after seeing my Smart Meter monitor light up orange when I turned them on.

I ordered a cheap job lot from Ebay and they worked fine.

almillar

I ordered a cheap job lot from Ebay and they worked fine.

Umpteen rubbish ones to choose from. What wattage halogens did you have?
What lights did you replace them with?

pimento

Can't remember. It was about a year ago. All still working fine.