Replacing downlights in living room

wallofbeans

Hi All,

I was about to call an electrican to do this, but wonder if I can replace myself...

These yellowing old downlights that were here when I moved in (13 of them in living / dining room) don't even quite fit the holes and I'd like to replace.

They are connected to two dimmer switches - one for living room area, the other dining room area. I assume the current bulbs are halogen but I'd like to repalce with LED. 

Can I just get new fittings and LED bulbs and replace these? Is it as easy as just taking the two wires from these and connecting to the new ones? There are two wires going into the fitting, but not colour coded so I'm not sure what to do there...

The hole is also 90mm so I need slightly bigger to cover the gaps and there only seem to be a few available that will do that...

This is what I was thinking of getting...
https://www.toolstation.com/integral-led-70-100mm-cut-out-evofire-ip65-fire-rated-downlight/p74500

wallofbeans

Pics of light fitting for reference:

grumbler

The Toolstation lights that you linked are GU10 mains voltage.
Your lights are MR16 12V. There are some transformers in the ceiling. If the fittings have individual transformers  that you can pull out, then they are easy to replace with 240V fittings. If it's a shared transformer for several lights then it's more difficult and not a DIY job for an unexperienced person.
Try finding downlights taking MR16 bulbs.
If the size is smaller, there are apapters available: https://www.google.com/search?q=downlight+adapter+ring

BUFF

You will probably have to also replace your dimmers with LED compatible ones.

wallofbeans

Ok.. so not a DIY job at all...

wallofbeans

I found a transformer...

wallofbeans

BUFF said:

You will probably have to also replace your dimmers with LED compatible ones.

My electrician replaced the dimmer switches recently. The old ones were very complex and looked like a computer from an 80s sci-fi movie. I'm hoping the simple replacement will work with LED already...  

grumbler

wallofbeans said:

Ok.. so not a DIY job at all...

If you mean the dimmer, it's an easy job to replace it.

wallofbeans said:

I found a transformer...

Well, you can disconnect the transformer from the white cable and connect a 240V fitting instead. Hopefully, it's the same for other lights. The only problem is  that as the white wable is flexible, some fittings may need ferrules(?) added to the ens of the flexible whires. Or you can use a short piece of a solid core cable and the  terminal block from the old fitting.

wallofbeans

grumbler said:

wallofbeans said:

Ok.. so not a DIY job at all...

If you mean the dimmer, it's an easy job to replace it.

wallofbeans said:

I found a transformer...

Well, you can disconnect the transformer from the white cable and connect a 240V fitting instead. Hopefully, it's the same for other lights. The only problem is  that as the white wable is flexible, some fittings may need ferrules(?) added to the ens of the flexible whires. Or you can use a short piece of a solid core cable and the  terminal block from the old fitting.

I meant the replacement of the lights... and you've confirmed that with your further information, most of which I don't understand and wouldn't want to get wrong. This is an old house and lots of the wiring was done badly previously, so I'm not sure what I'll find or if I'll trust myself in figuring it out successfully.

wallofbeans

Am I right in thinking, if I could find new downlight fittings that are MR16 and wide enough to cover the hole (ie at least 95mm) then I could just replace easily?

(I don't think those are going to be easy to find, but it's worth some research if it's an option)

grumbler

wallofbeans said:

Am I right in thinking, if I could find new downlight fittings that are MR16 and wide enough to cover the hole (ie at least 95mm) then I could just replace easily?

You have to options:

• Replace the existing (transformer + MR16 fitting) with a new 240V GU10 fitting (or a new 240V light wiht integrated LEDs - no bulb). You can keep the existing white flexible cable.
• Keep the transformer and replace the existing MR16 fitting with a new MR16 fitting (or a new 12V light with integrated LEDs - no bulb - if such thing exists)

My peferable option would be the former one.