Replace halogen lights with LED

[Ljc1980]

We currently have 10 Halogen spotlights in our living room. These are operated by a double dimmer switch, one switch operating 4 lights and one 6.

The dimmer for the 6 lights has stopped working and getting fed up with the frequency of bulb changing bulbs so we want to switch over to dimmable LEDs.

Would we need a specific type of double switch for these? Current one isn't working so would need changed regardless.
Can anyone recommend bulbs and switch for this?

 

[Mottie]

I replaced the 10 halogen lights in our kitchen with LED's. I just bought ones advertised as 'dimmable'. It’s like a bloody kitchen showroom/jewellers shop and the wife ain’t stopped moaning since. Just be careful which ones you get - some are VERY bright.

 

[Taylortwocities]

You’ll need a LED trailing-edge dimmer. IMO the best LED compatible dimmer is the Varilight V-Pro range

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/tcl/search?query=Varilight+v-pro&Submit=Search

Next item is changing your existing lamps for Led.
Are they 12v lamps, or 230volts?

The easiest method is to use 230volts LED Lamps. So, if your existing lights are 12v, there will be “transformers” that will need to be removed, and you’ll need different lamp holders.
the existing 12v transformers are not designed to work with 12v LED lamps.

 

[Ljc1980]

Thank you for your help

I was hoping there wouldn't be any requirement to change transformers etc which sounds like starting to get a bit complicated!

I was hoping to just get a couple packs of these and a new switch!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-LE...QPGXQBBPNR&qid=1577521914&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

 

[Taylortwocities]

The lamps in your link are mains lamps with GU10 bases.
If you have a 12v system, the trannys will need to come out and the vases will need to be changed.

You are going to have to do it some time. Halogen lights are being phased out.

but first, please check what type of lamps you already have!

 

[Ljc1980]

This is one of the current non working bulbs I need to replace.

I had 4 of these in a room upstairs which I swapped for LEDs and they seem to work fine. Although they aren't dimmable which is what I require in living room.

 

[AndyPRK]

I would recommend energiser leds.
A nice colour.

Get dimmable ones.

 

[FrodoOne]

View attachment 179527 This is one of the current non working bulbs I need to replace.

I had 4 of these in a room upstairs which I swapped for LEDs and they seem to work fine. Although they aren't dimmable which is what I require in living room.

As you can see, they are labeled 240 V and have GU10 Bases.
The ones in your link are dimmable replacements for these lamps,.

 

[ericmark]

Using electronic switches with LED lamps be it a dimmer or simple remote controlled switch with no neutral is a problem, some times they simply work, other times you see bulbs pulsing and have to fit capacitors across the bulbs or they will not switch off.

Rules say bulbs must say if NOT dimmable, however it does not needs to say what is required to dim them, so I have some G9 bulbs which are a nightmare, they start to flicker, around 25 Hz I would think, had to fit 4 uf capacitor to start with, but 5 bulbs at £5 each is a lot of money to spend out when you don't even know if it will work. The GU10 also had the flicker, but I have loads of GU10 lamps around the house, so just swapped them around until flicker stopped.

Even then it changes day to day, some times no flicker, other times they do. And I am just using electronic switches not dimmers. Living room works A1 and all bulbs said not dimmable (8 bulbs), dinning room switch removed and lost by wife (5 bulbs) it kept going wrong, but same bulbs as living room, same type of switch and same type of light, turn of lighting breaker and back on again it would all work A1 for week or two.

I love remote light switches, but not the problems when they go wrong, 5 rooms with them in 3 work A1 two have problems. Same applies to dimming switches, they may work A1, or may have a problem, with my switch there is a list of bulbs that should work with them, and they are twice the price of bulbs you buy in high street, and you have to order on line as not stocked in local stores.

 

[Sureitsoff?]

your current ones say 35w and your choice of led replacement implys that it is a 50w replacement so they may be too bright, but if you are fitting a dimmer not a problem

 

[Stay Frosty]

With your replacement dimmer switch just make sure it will switch an LED load as the LEDs draw a fairly modest amount of current (tiny) and most times with dimmer switches the emphasis used to be on how large a load they could switch eg. 250-400 watts, you're going to be switching probably a tenth of that.

Colour wise 2700K at 4 to 5 watts with a GU10 LED will be between the 35 and 50 watt 230v halogen equivalent, I tend to go with 4000K if I can get them for a bit of "Shock and Awe", one further thought and the LEDs don't get warmer looking as they're dimmed, unlike a tungsten halogen where they seem to descend into an orange gloom the LED seems to maintain it's colour and just wash out.

 

[Ljc1980]

Thanks for all your help. Got 10 dimmable warm light LEDs from screwfix for £20 and a new Varilight double dimmer switch.

After a bit of faffing with programming the dimmer so it went down further all seems well!

Hopefully it stays that way and if so I'll do the same to dining room.