Replacing MR16 spotlight fitting with GU10

zoothornrollo_2

So I wanted to replace our halogen bulbs with LED, and smarten up our spotlights with some new housings / fittings.

I bought a load of GU10 LED bulbs and some replacement (recessed) spotlight fittings - not intending to mess around with any electricals. But it turns out in the bathroom and kitchen the existing fitting is MR16 (the two pins).

The fittings I got did come with GU10 lampholders, but how complicated is it to swap these in for the current MR16?

savalittle.

you can get GU10 lampholders https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLGULH.html

TheCyclingProgrammer

I replaced half a dozen MR16 spotlights in our kitchen with GU10 versions - it was fairly straightforward for me but if you're not confident with electrics get an electrician in to swap them over. You're definitely better off with the GU10 fixtures if you want to go LED IMO.

zoothornrollo_2

savalittle. wrote: »

you can get GU10 lampholders https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLGULH.html

yes the lampholders came with the fittings - I'm just not sure what to do with them.

john240870

zoothornrollo wrote: »

yes the lampholders came with the fittings - I'm just not sure what to do with them.

If your not sure what to do then i would call on a expert. Or get new ones MR16 as that maybe cheaper then getting a sparky in.

zoothornrollo_2

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

I replaced half a dozen MR16 spotlights in our kitchen with GU10 versions - it was fairly straightforward for me but if you're not confident with electrics get an electrician in to swap them over. You're definitely better off with the GU10 fixtures if you want to go LED IMO.

Yes thanks.

I could of course just get some LED bulbs with the two-pin fittings, and then use the new chrome housings and not use the GU10 lampholders.

But would prefer to use the GU10 lampholders that came with the fittings and the bulbs that I've already bought.

zoothornrollo_2

john240870 wrote: »

If your not sure what to do then i would call on a expert

OK I was just hoping it was a straightforward 'take off / put on' procedure

john240870

Also MR16 are low Voltage 12v and GU10 are 240v so if you swapped the lamp holders you would also need to remove transformer. Also if the old fittings are fire rated you would not be able to change the lamp holder it would mean a complete new fitting.

john240870

zoothornrollo wrote: »

Yes thanks.

I could of course just get some LED bulbs with the two-pin fittings, and then use the new chrome housings and not use the GU10 lampholders.

But would prefer to use the GU10 lampholders that came with the fittings and the bulbs that I've already bought.

Any reason

Chrishazle

john240870 wrote: »

Also MR16 are low Voltage 12v and GU10 are 240v so if you swapped the lamp holders you would also need to remove transformer. Also if the old fittings are fire rated you would not be able to change the lamp holder it would mean a complete new fitting.

The only MR16's I have in the house are the 2 shower extract lights, they are 12V and there's a transformer in the loft (I had to change it when I went from "normal" to LED, as the LED requires a different type of transformer). If your old ones are MR16 first check on one of the bulbs to see if the voltage is printed on them - if it's 12V then somewhere there's a transformer that has to be found and removed (make sure the power is off before continuing removing the transformer and changing the fittings!!) and the input wires to the transformer connected to the output wires so you then have 240V to the fittings. Actually changing the fittings should be easy, just remove the wires from the back of the MR16 fitting and put them into the GU10 fitting.

flashg67

I've swapped all mine, but if you go from low voltage MR16 to 240v GY10, you'll need to remove the transformers and most importantly add an earth wire to the fittings.

If you're not confident with wiring, leave to a specialist