6 spot lights or 1 halogen lamp : Which is better?

mountainchrisriver

Thanks Poppycat... yep I do mean the ones that are built into the ceiling... take GU10 halogen bulbs as standard, just don't want any replacements sticking out of the ceiling if that makes sense?!

Where is a good place (cheapest!?) to get these megaman bulbs?

PS. apologies to siliconbits for interupting the thread!!

Poppycat

Oh I see what you mean now. The Gu10 has a slightly clinical look with a very slight blueish tinge, daughter hated them in her bedroom but now she doesnt mind.

http://www.megamanuk.com/

I got mine megaman from a electrical wholesaler, Edmundsons electrical there in most large towns mostly on industrial estates

http://www.edmundson-electrical.co.uk/

They were cheaper than I sourced on net too.

You can check sizes, range on megaman site above. Looks like they do have downlighters too

http://www.megamanuk.com/products/product.php?sid=10

siliconbits

I did my homework. Turns out that one has to be a bit careful when buying LED lamps. You need to be particularly careful about the LED driver, which according to one vendor, has to be purchased separately. Failure to do so would cause the LED to flicker and would reduce its life expectancy by 50%. However I found this one (http://www.energybulbs.co.uk/acatalog/MR16_LED_Bulbs.html) which fits the bill and is compatible with 12v existing MR16 - yes I use MR16 lamps.

As a side note, I looked for MR16 lamps on several websites and they seem to be quite rare. Argos does not stock them, Tesco has only 2 types, John Lewis doesn't, Maplin does and so does Wilkinson.

Comments Welcomed!

zappomatic

I would recommend replacing your 50 watt GU10s with 35 watt. Most people buy recessed halogen spotlights because they like the type of light produced, and energy saving replacements and LEDs just don't give that same light quality. Or why not install a dimmer switch for the spotlights too? GU10s can be dimmed without any issue because they are mains voltage; it's only with low voltage halogen that things get complicated.

Oh and John Lewis does sell MR16 bulbs but not online. Argos sell packs of 3 for £3.99 but they are an "extra" line. Lidl were selling packs of 6 for £1.99 last time I went in there.

siliconbits

My lamps are MR16 actually. Am thinking of purchasing 35w models from Wilkinson to see whether there's a noticeable difference in brightness.

dogshome

LED bulbs for standard screw or bayonet fittings are now coming on stream,
have a look at energysaverlamps.co.uk. I've always been worried about the amount of heat generated by the 50watt GU10 bulbs fitted into my bathroom ceiling and am replacing them with 21LED GU10's from onestopledshop.co.uk
because they don't get excessively hot and have a bonus in that they consume only 1.5watts each - A really low enrgy bulb
By the way I've nothing to do with either of the Co's mentioned above