LED floodlight dim - can I replace?

dancing_star

The sparky installed LED motion sensor floodlight a couple of years back. I have no idea what wattage it is, it's a Luceco one.


It's gone dim.


I've had a look and bit baffled. I can see the screws for removing the cover bit. Is it a case of ordering a replacement bulb on ebay and DIY changing it, or do I have to GAMI? I'm no electrician but reasonably competent with DIY so would rather be MSE if possible.



Cheers for any advice

Mutton_Geoff

dancing_star wrote: »

The sparky installed LED motion sensor floodlight a couple of years back. I have no idea what wattage it is, it's a Luceco one.


It's gone dim.


I've had a look and bit baffled. I can see the screws for removing the cover bit. Is it a case of ordering a replacement bulb on ebay and DIY changing it, or do I have to GAMI? I'm no electrician but reasonably competent with DIY so would rather be MSE if possible.



Cheers for any advice

You won't be able to easily change the "bulb" as there isn't one. It's an LED array, probably soldered to a circuit board. In any case, the reason it's gone dim is probably a fault in the driver rather than the LED. They are not much money at Screwfix so better just swapping it for a new one.

dancing_star

Mutton_Geoff wrote: »

You won't be able to easily change the "bulb" as there isn't one. It's an LED array, probably soldered to a circuit board. In any case, the reason it's gone dim is probably a fault in the driver rather than the LED. They are not much money at Screwfix so better just swapping it for a new one.

Thank you


Swapping it for a new one - is that a DIY job or GAMI?


Cheers!

Hasbeen

dancing_star wrote: »

Thank you


Swapping it for a new one - is that a DIY job or GAMI?


Cheers!

If you can connect 3 wires then DIY. The fact you are asking the question infers you are not competent, so get a GAMI or a GAWI.

coffeehound

Try to get the same one again so that the screw holes in the wall will be in the right place, then it should be easy to replace.

daveyjp

coffeehound wrote: »

Try to get the same one again so that the screw holes in the wall will be in the right place, then it should be easy to replace.

If its only lasted 2 years I wouldn't want the same one.

Screwfix LAP brands are just as bad. Just over a year from one before it was full of water.

If the old one is wired into a junction box it should be easy to swap over.

coffeehound

^ I suppose if it saved using an electrician, £20 every two years might still make sense, though as you say it might not make a lot of difference.

I'm surprised that most outdoor floods, even good ones like Steinel, are only IP44. For something that is out in all weathers, I'd have expected them to be higher rated.

CharlieBilly

I made sure all my outside lights are in outside junction boxes, I have 5 in all. Easy to swap out I even put one in myself as long as you have right grade of wiring that take uv light and obviously amps although it will be low for alight

dancing_star

THanks all.



Had a word with my dad and he is going to help me / supervise, so I can do it myself next time if/when the need arises.



I can get one from Screwfix, which is on my way home from work, and I'm of the mind that if it only lasts a couple of years then at least I'll be able to change it myself. I'd no idea what a junction box was, but now I do, and I am perfectly capable of connecting 3 wires now I know that's all that is involved.


I'm also perfectly capable of screwing the holder into the masonry, but it would be easier all round if I used the same holes! I thought I'd be changing the whole shebang, junction box and all, but it'll be a piece of cake if it's just the light fitting.


If you hear a loud bang coming from Yorkshire direction, you'll know it's gone horribly wrong.

dancing_star

Adding: our local ag suppliers has Brennenstuhl ones (IP44, whatever that means). Anyone got any reviews, better than the Luceco Screwfix ones? I'm assuming they'd wire in the same - can't be that difficult!

Mutton_Geoff

dancing_star wrote: »

Adding: our local ag suppliers has Brennenstuhl ones (IP44, whatever that means). Anyone got any reviews, better than the Luceco Screwfix ones? I'm assuming they'd wire in the same - can't be that difficult!

It's probably down to price. A £20 one is bound to have come from China, a £40 one better built in Europe. I'd call in at an electrical wholesaler and ask them since they wouldn't stock rubbish stuff as it would keep coming back to them.

The wiring will be the same, but depends how your cables are set up at the moment. Normally there will be a solid (twin and earth) cable into a waterproof junction box on the wall then the flex from the luminaire taken into that box via waterproof grommet and connected to the other cable.

If you are not a competent DIYer, it's easy to mess this up, disturb the seal on the JB, water will get in, working at height not easily being able to see the connections you are making, leaving whiskers of wire from the flex that may short out.

In your situation, just pay someone to come and replace it. Let them supply the luminaire (they will get a discount at the electrical merchant so can make a small profit on that too) then you can get them back if it goes wrong again. Supply your own and you are literally on your own.

dancing_star wrote: »

IP44

https://www.enclosurecompany.com/ip-ratings-explained.php

IP44 is fine for outside in the rain, as long as you don't point a jet washer at it. Spend a bit more money if you want IP65 ..


https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Lighting_External_Index/Lighting_Floodlight_Index/STXLED/index.html


https://www.gil-lec.co.uk/lighting/outdoor-lighting/security-lighting