Downlights - What do I need?!

ChilliBob

Guys, I have encountered two downlight situations so far... 

1. Replacing the bulbs in one - typically with Hue bulbs
2. Replacing the whole assembly, bulb and holder, with an integrated Hue bulb (in our bathrooms).

I'm now faced with a new ceiling in our summerhouse in which I want to:

* Use Hue bulbs which **aren't** integrated
* Therefore use standalone holders

I can see many listed at Toolstation, such as this one: https://www.toolstation.com/integral-led-evofire-ip65-fire-rated-downlight/p10980

Would this and a Hue gu10 bulb be all that's needed (for somebody else to fit and wire up that is, not me!)

I've seen 'transformers' mentioned before, but I don't think I need these? My brother said he used them years ago when downlights first came out but now he doesn't.. But they're still sold, so I'm a bit confused! (he said they blew quite often so was best to avoid them).

I've looked online and seems both yes and no come up for whether you need them, which is somewhat confusing!

This is to replace an ancient fluorescent strip light. Thanks in advance! 

grumbler

GU10 are mains voltage, so you don't need any transformers (unlike for MR16) 

ChilliBob

Okay that's cool, and makes a lot of sense. When I got got the hue all in one lights there was these two things in the box a bit like thick candle wick like tubing, if you catch my drift, which I believe our bathroom installers did use. I guess said holders, like the one I linked to, would come with this and sfuff? 

Ectophile

The "thick candle wick like tubing" is most likely a heat resistant sleeve that can be shoved over cables to protect them.  Lamps can get quite hot (especially halogen ones), and PVC cable is only rated to 70C.

grumbler

The one you linked is very odd:

This .... downlight fitting is ideal for installing a GU10 or MR16 LED lamp in a ceiling.

This makes no sense to me as GU10 and MR16 need different lampholders (and different voltage):

This is followed by

LED GU10 lamps only

ChilliBob

I guess that's toolstation for you! 

Flipping same on Amazon where a saw said teeth: 9 then further down tpi:12! 

Are there much difference in these holders bar aesthetics? 

@Ectophile - now you say that it did remind me of the heat sink my brother used to use decades ago on his radio controlled car batteries and stuff! Makes sense, although I'd have thought LEDs wouldn't get that hot. 

ChilliBob

I'm just after a nice brushed steel or nkckle type one, which is easy to put the bulb in and out, stays right to the ceiling etc. I'll need 20 of them too!

And, gulp, 20 hue white ambiance 

grumbler

https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/downlights/cat840836?lightbulbtechnology=supplied_without_bulb

Unfortunately, they don't have a filter by the bulb type, but if it's mains voltage then it's GU10.

ChilliBob

Cheers

Also looks like this would fit the bill too
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Saxby-GU10-Matt-White-Cast-Fixed-Downlight---50-W/p/213342?fix&gclid=CjwKCAjwge2iBhBBEiwAfXDBR6pqLmJHBFytAOUxyv_cqVKsQ4V7_rAMJrYw-skiKo5igBvW8cAAaBoCUkEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Tempted by matt white now as it'll blend in more than any kind of silver - brushed or otherwise. You'd not expect the bezel to discolour or something I gusss, not like it's oil based white! 

FFHillbilly

grumbler said:

The one you linked is very odd:

This .... downlight fitting is ideal for installing a GU10 or MR16 LED lamp in a ceiling.

This makes no sense to me as GU10 and MR16 need different lampholders (and different voltage):

This is followed by

LED GU10 lamps only

MR16 just relates to the size of the bulb (or lamp if you're pedantic)
GU10 is a 240V base (bayonet, push in and twist)
GU3.5 is a 12V base (2 pins, push in)

ashe

ChilliBob said:

I'm just after a nice brushed steel or nkckle type one, which is easy to put the bulb in and out, stays right to the ceiling etc. I'll need 20 of them too!

And, gulp, 20 hue white ambiance 

I know you're after hue because you probably have hue but don't be afraid to look at alternates. I was big into hue against all others and how have a very mixed system. Hue has issues with the resources on bridges so gets complex once you hit 60 something lights, and while they're pretty solid, the cost and features is often poor value for money. Any zigbee bulb will work fine with hue so you could look at innr for example, or Ikea. Worth a thought at those volumes. 

Our house now has Nanoleaf, govee, hue, silver crest (was lidls hue compatible range), Onvis and a few others and it's all unified control
via home assistant / Alexa for automation and control. 

Do you definitely need 20? Gu10's tend to be very bright in white shades, imagine 20 in one room would be blindingly bright and need dimming. Have you considered less gu10's and having ambient lighting provided by light strips behind furniture etc?