Dimmable LEDs or Halogens

bpk101

I need to get some bulbs sorted for a new kitchen fit out. We've had 4 x recessed spotlights installed, they are from Astro:

https://www.astrolighting.com/products/5624-trimless-230v-firerated

We have the same spots in our bathroom fitted with dimmable LEDs, however i do find the dimming action not as smooth as with halogens... they very slightly strobe when dimming up and down, and annoyingly some spots turn on/off a fraction ahead of others.

I believe the correct dimming module was fitted on installation, i think it's just the nature of dimmable LEDs?

That said i'm thinking of installing halogens in the kitchen lights. It's quite a modern / contemporary kitchen with cool-white under-mounted cabinet LED lighting as well.

Do you think i should stay with cool-white LED ceiling spots to match and will mixing in halogen bulbs on the ceiling look odd?

Or do halogen bulbs come in cool-white tones as well?

Any advice welcome.

ComicGeek

The problem with dimmers is that the load for LEDs is a fraction of halogens, so it's likely that your dimmer switch isn't completely compatible - a correctly sized dimmer should work fine with LEDs, but always hit and miss when just replacing halogens with LEDs.

Personally I would stick with the same colouring throughout the kitchen ceiling - having a different tone under the cabinets is fine.

brightontraveller

Either dimmer / lamps or both are not compatible you shouldn’t see strobe effect

Buy/try VARILIGHT V-Pro dimmers installed 1000s with many different lamp manufactures 99.9% success....
Gives you a rundown on them.
https://www.varilight.co.uk/leaflets/V-Pro%20Push%20Dimmer%20Instructions%20761.pdf

Warm or cool is a personal preference (warm is most similar to traditional Incandescent / filament lamps that many have grown up with) Cool is more familiar in office type environment.


Mix and matching LED / Halogeon e.g of same “colour” wouldn’t be a recommendation within the same room /area light quality/ character could be poor , Eyes have to cope with forced variation in light levels, spectra visual sensor (the retina) variable diameter pupil and eyelids (squint ) the mix can exaggerate these making unpleasant experience.

Although different e.g. red green etc more architectural/ feature lighting the different way the lamps perform can give good effects...

https://www.integral-led.com/education/warm-white-or-cool-white

Personally I’d avoid halogens running cost etc

Grenage

I second the V-Pro series.

martinsurrey

Grenage wrote: »

I second the V-Pro series.

I third it,

Relatively expensive (if you are used to old fashioned dimmers), but worth it.

jcb208

Yep Vpro works perfect with my 9 Led's in lounge can dim down to the point you hardly know they are on,also can be programed for minimum and maximum brightness you prefer

bpk101

The LED dimmer module we have for the bathroom is from Hamilton Hartland.

Maybe i'll give the Vpro dimmer a go for the kitchen. Trouble is the only white screwless dimmer they do comes with a silver knob. Do you think that's an easy thing to change to white?

Or could i buy just the VPro module and fit it in a Hamilton Hartland unit?

Wassa123

Just a warning about halogen spotlights...

We moved into a ~15 year house. I was able to replace 2/3 of the halogen spotlights with LEDS, but 1/3 of the spotlight casings have warped from the heat of the halogens and aren't coming off!

Nathaniel_Essex

If you're okay about spending £25-£50 per bulb, you can always get the Philip Hue bulbs. No need to worry about the dimming modules or the warmth. Can also set timers, use motions sensors etc.

bpk101

I've purchased the V-Pro module and will retrofit it into a Hamilton Hartland faceplate (Varilite confirmed this was okay).

Can anyone recommend a good quality Dimmable GU10 LED build in Cool White? There's so many on the market!