can you swap all halogen spots (GU4) by LEDs?

skycatcher

I swapped out 2 halogen GU4 bulbs for 2 LED ones in my en-suite but they flicker? is this a problem bulb or something more fundimental?

Ectophile

If they are 12V lamps, then the chances are they aren't compatible with the transformer you have.  There's no way to know if other LED lamps would work any better.

skycatcher

Ectophile said:

If they are 12V lamps, then the chances are they aren't compatible with the transformer you have.  There's no way to know if other LED lamps would work any better.

Yes they are 12v! Guess i won't be saving any electric that way in that room then!

casper_gutman

Well, you could replace the transformer with an LED-compatible one? Or have it rewired without a transformer to use mains voltage LED bulbs.

Tranboy

If they are heavy transformers they could be 12v alternating current. The symbol on the 12v output might appear as a wavy line ~ without a +or - .A halogen bulb works on ac 12v without discernable flicker because it never has a chance to go dark as they get hot and don't have the chance to cool down as the electricity flows in both directions, alternating current.  A 12v direct current LED only only works with the electricity in one direction so when the alternating current changes direction the led will be off causing it to flicker. Electronic 12v dc power supplies are cheap and available everywhere, screwfix toolstation etc.

grumbler

Tranboy said:

A 12v direct current LED only only works with the electricity in one direction so when the alternating current changes direction the led will be off causing it to flicker.

If this really is the reason, then AC GU4 bulbs are available.

fenwick458

I think the best option is to change the bulb/lamp holders for GU10

skycatcher

Guys,

Thanks very much for information. I shall ponder these options once I've check out the transformer in the loft.

Cheers.

searchlight123

As fenwick suggested just swap out the lamp holders for GU10 ones and do away with the transformers. Not expensive and then you can run LED lamps there as well and have the choice of warm white, cool white or daylight outputs.

lampholders £1 each:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165388937383?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item2681f2e8a7:g:rU0AAOSwSbxiM0p4&amdata=enc:AQAGAAACoPYe5NmHp%2B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSLY2M1Gjmuwt9c03vWNfiRt%2F9PwoxqSUa2GAwu%2BQ7Ongi4v7anfEGmCTwfA8TwvkwsHAfIrOvZlfqKgYZb6DjPFqIWgQGKbctbiSFuSXsdUbfQtKXp1Q3svgNLVdbnd%2BDUYurtx1XiAIK5qe%2BPRR3wE37BkKlzWbQLPMDHE935KeOMAXz7teuYzQnILBK0pmI9lCaEjiqF39UtSu8Gl%2FbbDrgjAA13%2F4%2Fw7ZqlqKo3K79zx4GcLuLpX6gS40O2weuAjO8lOg%2BpT%2FPcXF4Cit7xMPHUYIEhsysRvUIXd%2FwJ%2FWiJzno03mGhGCovq21SCkJb2J%2FKczfapuKwrT6t3SMmgJBzX3fc4WPAQN1qUMRrER3NMfcDQchsVe7rPtm1QZJHvG%2BlppLFwSAcOjNWoU6Miz%2BGUk3xRC%2BDHjobMbwWKl1twezkZ4Wf1L7vGOq1uBOEUOrrvV7Ehb%2F4EJBSa98btWHyDMiD5C0VUOdp97Yoc%2F8so5I7yCUiWv%2Fe6af%2Fhl1nfefcbVgyYvzILaY1b43MkrdAv%2FtP22lAP1wR2Tq5mT1cbxXf6vxdtAfhMrMm6FByVVocp8sIR0AAPrnFyRJC8%2FNad%2BAzt3tNN2YLqBolQTlZ8ftuSs0wRaZsrbIdVEBI7axk%2FCmFu5oegKHd%2FyDF8HEvib%2FV%2FOwSFw8K%2FUm45a93HDPF9bFM3X57LNVfr9gtaRR%2BmEd6KKqtpMCiXUA4SJt5BqaadIiEcz2i00GYFYfaicUh%2BCwlQP6ZDDpexJwuAYyKJhqxoHB93N6X1tukgxDpHJP4xjS5noYJc0occmSJB0HZzbX1OCf9v%2FF2Fu7R98hDf7WJaxOgNVqA4fwPw%3D%3D|clp:2334524|tkp:BFBMjt3Hw_Nf

skycatcher

tonygold said:

As fenwick suggested just swap out the lamp holders for GU10 ones and do away with the transformers. Not expensive and then you can run LED lamps there as well and have the choice of warm white, cool white or daylight outputs.

lampholders £1 each:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165388937383?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item2681f2e8a7:g:rU0AAOSwSbxiM0p4&amdata=enc:AQAGAAACoPYe5NmHp%2B2JMhMi7yxGiTJkPrKr5t53CooMSQt2orsSLY2M1Gjmuwt9c03vWNfiRt%2F9PwoxqSUa2GAwu%2BQ7Ongi4v7anfEGmCTwfA8TwvkwsHAfIrOvZlfqKgYZb6DjPFqIWgQGKbctbiSFuSXsdUbfQtKXp1Q3svgNLVdbnd%2BDUYurtx1XiAIK5qe%2BPRR3wE37BkKlzWbQLPMDHE935KeOMAXz7teuYzQnILBK0pmI9lCaEjiqF39UtSu8Gl%2FbbDrgjAA13%2F4%2Fw7ZqlqKo3K79zx4GcLuLpX6gS40O2weuAjO8lOg%2BpT%2FPcXF4Cit7xMPHUYIEhsysRvUIXd%2FwJ%2FWiJzno03mGhGCovq21SCkJb2J%2FKczfapuKwrT6t3SMmgJBzX3fc4WPAQN1qUMRrER3NMfcDQchsVe7rPtm1QZJHvG%2BlppLFwSAcOjNWoU6Miz%2BGUk3xRC%2BDHjobMbwWKl1twezkZ4Wf1L7vGOq1uBOEUOrrvV7Ehb%2F4EJBSa98btWHyDMiD5C0VUOdp97Yoc%2F8so5I7yCUiWv%2Fe6af%2Fhl1nfefcbVgyYvzILaY1b43MkrdAv%2FtP22lAP1wR2Tq5mT1cbxXf6vxdtAfhMrMm6FByVVocp8sIR0AAPrnFyRJC8%2FNad%2BAzt3tNN2YLqBolQTlZ8ftuSs0wRaZsrbIdVEBI7axk%2FCmFu5oegKHd%2FyDF8HEvib%2FV%2FOwSFw8K%2FUm45a93HDPF9bFM3X57LNVfr9gtaRR%2BmEd6KKqtpMCiXUA4SJt5BqaadIiEcz2i00GYFYfaicUh%2BCwlQP6ZDDpexJwuAYyKJhqxoHB93N6X1tukgxDpHJP4xjS5noYJc0occmSJB0HZzbX1OCf9v%2FF2Fu7R98hDf7WJaxOgNVqA4fwPw%3D%3D|clp:2334524|tkp:BFBMjt3Hw_Nf

thanks for the link. Aren't GU10 bulb larger diameter than GU4 hence I would need a hole saw taken to my ceiling?

fenwick458

GU4 is just the connection, it can be fitted on both sizes of bulb, MR16 (50mm)or MR11(35mm)
most light fittings for both sizes of bulb are the same size overall so you might be able to change the fittings without enlarging the holes. what size holes (and bulbs) do you have now?
they do also make MR11 bulbs with a GU10 base but for the extra price you pay for them and the fact they are extremely rare it's probably a better option to try and change to the most commonly used ones