Recessed Downlights

Waterlily24

We've got 15 in our kitchen but not sure if they are as small as you want. Will ask hubby what they are. The first lot of bulbs were yellow which I didn't like we replaced them with white and they look much better. GU10 seems to ring a bell, I think we had to do something for protection though.

phil24_7

GU10's are standard halogen fittings so you have installed LED lamps in these. It's a lot cheaper to renew these lamps (£5 per lamp) than it is for a complete LED fitting (£20-£30 per fitting).

I would recommend white (around 4000K) for a kitchen, and maybe the dining room (especially if it is attached to the kitchen) and a more yellow (2700K-3000K) for living areas.

Regards
Phil

brightontraveller

Having fitted 10000s a general rule standard domestic site down lights 600mm from edges and 1.2 - 1.5 m spacing, In hallways etc you may get away with 2.m spacing 600mm from edges adding higher or lower lumen/k output etc to get desired effect

Recommending warm white, cool white, daylight etc or specific lumen / k output etc is generally a waste of time in a domestic situation you need to know clients existing lighting preference and specific requirements first ? e.g If you’re your used to standard incandescent (bulbs) you’d certainly see a difference with a “ coolwhite” led (office you’d be more used to them as they are more common there )

Use fittings that are able to have replacement/ retro lamps fitted I'd always recommend fire/sound proof etc (standard lamp lengths not the 72, 78, 80, mm as lamps generally cost more and avoid the all in one type fitting that lamps cannot be replaced ) Once fitting is in place try out a different lamps till you find ones you like , Many manufactures supply lighting layout plans, spacing etc which give specified light levels at certain heights etc but that doesn’t take into account your preference ?

twohooter_2

Many thanks to everyone for the helpful responses - really appreciated.


I had pretty much made my mind up on these:-
https://www.electrical2go.co.uk/aurora-enlite-e8-fixed-8w-dimmable-ip65-fire-rated-downlight-4000k-en-de8-40.html


But after reading Brightontraveller's post, I am wondering if the lamps on these could be replaced. It looks unlikely, so I may need to re think. What would happen if a lamp went bang - presumably the whole fitting would need replacing and then there would be the question of whether an electrician would be required for this and whether that type of fitting would still be available. One step forward and two back at the moment - who would have thought a set of downlighters would prove to be so tricky....

phil24_7

The Halers I recommended have a 7 year ( I think) warranty.

Regards
Phil

brightontraveller

Although some will offer gtee with all in ones 3, 5, 7, year guarantees even if some miracle happens and the seller/manufactures honor them? 99% of the time its equivalent replacement /money back etc.

Longer the guarantee less likely hood the fitting will be the same ? You end up with a light fitting that’s different in style, size, color etc to all the others? Or the lamp becomes less bright over time ( which they all do)e.g you have 8 bright 3 less bright?

All in ones are really not worth installing in a domestic situation, commercial etc they would often replace them every three years anyhow so fine domestic especially LED’s which have really come on over the past few years and will continue to do so You’d be a fool to put any light fitting that doesn’t except new lamps without replacing entire fitting????