LED Downlights

[ub7rm]

i have 12 MR16 50W dowlights in my kitchen and I'm looking to replace them with LED lamps instead.

My budget is £25 a lamp. Each lamp has its own transformer at present so I guess I need to replace the fitting as well as the bulbs.

I see that there is a 'new' technology out there which is Chip on Board just to add to the general confusion. I also understand that you're better off replacing the fitting with a LED specific fitting than trying to retrofit some of higher power replacement bulbs into the existing fittings due to thermal management.

So with this in mind, can anyone recommend me a downlight that is as close as possible to halogen performance?

I'm happy enough with the concept of downlights, and don't intend to replaster the ceiling so no need for suggestions to replace downlights with another form of lighting.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Halers H2

About £25 a pop from HERE . A bit more if you want dimmerable.

 

[DaftPunk]

That's a great price for halers! I think I paid £40 a fitting for the last lot I bought.

They are a great fitting. Good build quality and the light output really isn't far off at all what you get from a 50W elv halogen down lighter.

They pay for them selves really quickly in saved electricity and relamping costs.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I have heard bad reports about the Halers and understand they have re branded their products because of this:
If anyone would care to comment, I am all ears! (well actually eyes, as it would be text format)
I tend to use Aurora, I like the i9 Sola, plenty enough light at 9w and a 7 year warranty.
http://www.tradingdepot.co.uk/DEF/product/!!AUFRL903PC/40!!/?gclid=CN_hguOZ5bYCFWLHtAods2EAzA

Again dimmable ones available.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Good build quality and the light output really isn't far off at all what you get from a 50W elv halogen down lighter.

You still need loads of them to light a room though, which shows that you should not be using them to light rooms.

 

[Iggifer]

I am too a big fan of Aurora, fitted 6 of their 14w square fittings to replace 6x70W CDMT fittings the other day, and they are as bright, if not brighter.

The build quality and light output is second to none.

Having said that I did fit some of their GU10 LED lamps recently, and they had a weird half second startup delay when switched on, and had a bit of a pink hue, but their dedicated LED fittings are great

 

[riveralt]

Another option would be to replace the current downlights and transformers with something similar to these:

http://www.screwfix.com/c/electrica..._dynSessConf=6014901988156534583&sortBy=price

and fit these:

http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/vivedas-4w-gu10-led-flood.html

Less than 20 quid each.

I have fitted a lot of these led lamps recently - good broad spread of light and in your case 48w used instead of 600w.

 

[RF Lighting]

Good build quality and the light output really isn't far off at all what you get from a 50W elv halogen down lighter.

You still need loads of them to light a room though, which shows that you should not be using them to light rooms.

No it doesn't.

Football stadiums use lots of individual lights to evenly light the pitch.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

My apologies - I hadn't realised that his kitchen was the size of a football stadium.