Are these 12 volt transformers suitable for LED mr16 bulbs?

[Mutley56]

Hi all,

I have this type of transformer for each of 12 mr16 halogen down lighters. Are these transformers suitable to support 8 watt LED bulbs?

Thanks in advance for all useful advice.

Mutley56 View media item 72553

 

[Taylortwocities]

So it's a straight swop for existing i.e. one transformer per lamp?

Some transformers need a minimum load. THESE for instance don't start working until they are ddealing with at least 10watts.

Best bet is to get one lamp and give it a try. You may need to put 3 or 4 lamps on each tranny, or change the trannies for proper LED drivers.

 

[Mutley56]

Thanks Taylortwocities

One transformer for each halogen bulb is what is there I believe. I was thinking of removing each the halogen bulb and replacing them with LED bulbs.

Mutley56

 

[ericmark]

No minimum quoted so would expect it to work OK. However I have a toroidal transformer and LED's have failed. I will guess the RMS value of 12 volt having a peak value of 17 volt is the problem but this will in the main depend on the make of lamp to if DC driver or AC supply will work.

 

[Mutley56]

Thanks Ericmark

I'll buy a couple of LED bulbs as direct replacements and see if the function satisfactorily. The energy and money savings seem attractive.

Mutley56

 

[winston1]

So it's a straight swop for existing i.e. one transformer per lamp?

Some transformers need a minimum load. THESE for instance don't start working until they are ddealing with at least 10watts.

Best bet is to get one lamp and give it a try. You may need to put 3 or 4 lamps on each tranny, or change the trannies for proper LED drivers.[/quote

What you linked to is not a transformer but a switch mode power supply.

The problem with true transformers (and I can't tell from the OPs picture whether his is a transformer or switch mode power supply) is regulation. On a low load the voltage will increase which could damage an LED. With a switch mode power supply you have the minimum load problem. Why not dispense with 12V all together and use 240v LEDs?

 

[Mutley56]

Thanks winston1. I delved deeper into ceiling void and found what I now believe to be the transformers. Each halogen light fitting has one fitted to it. So, do you know if the fittings will support 5W LED bulbs if I simply take the halogen ones out?

Thanks.

Mutley56 View media item 72582 View media item 72583

 

[winston1]

They look like switch mode power supplies, not transformers. They are labelled 20 to 60 watts, so no, they cannot be used with 5 watt LEDs. Even if you put all on one unit it probably would not work as they won't start without a virtual initial short circuit from a cold filament.

What about 240volt LEDs as I suggested previously?

 

[Mutley56]

Is is simply a case of swooping the halogen bulbs for the 240V LED bulbs without having to change any other part of the existing light units?

 

[Taylortwocities]

You would need to remove the transformers altogether,

Also, the 230v LEDs may have different bases, so you may need to change those too

 

[Mutley56]

Thanks for all the advice.

Mutley56