It's pretty well documented Vic, it's not been a problem with a bit of wire as that can take large variations and is to a point self regulating, lamps have even been used inside speakers to limit the power as the resistance changes with the heat up of the lamp. LED drivers just control things a little more to prevent over volting the poor things and also help with the low power draw flicker that often occurs. On one of my circuits I had to leave a 20w halogen in series to prevent flicker when they were dimmed. I can't understand how the economics can't work in your favour even with a LED driver swap after the power saving and replacement lamp from MR16 halogens. Years back I didn't wait until I had used up my MR16 stock, I just flogged them on and commenced installing LED's to save more money my earliest ones are just starting to drop a LED chip or two and that's after 9-10 years. I would estimate the early failure rate of LED's at around 2%, sometimes I just open them up and change the drivers internally (240v versions) Got some fantastic swimming pool LED's which are a hell of a saving on the standard leaky 300w versions normally fitted and of course colour changing available too.
Using the old halogen transformers should be avoided as these have voltage drifts and spikes which good quality LED drivers don't have. Most failures are due to drivers rather than the LED chip failing although a driver failure can also take out the chip too. In one of my 100w car park floodlights the 36v driver failed and voltage rose to 48v frying the chip but both were replaced from the company in Shenzhen and all is fine now.
To get good quality, latest spec lamps at sensible prices you can't go to a Brico, I haven't seen Iqueer ones but if that's the first good product they sell it's a start.
It helps if you know what to expect light wise, as the temperature of the colour is something new to most people and those put off by the early version of LED may well be pleased by the newer models.
I have been supplying commercially for several years and have seen great changes and jumps forward, not everything works better but the trend is going well.
Don Duca, what fitting are you looking for in omni directional? although personally onmi for reading? better to illuminating the page surely than shining into your eyes as well.
I was planning to replace half-a-dozen 12v halogen lights in the kitchen with LEDs, but there seems to be more to this than meets the eye. The advice from apparently reliable internet sources is to calculate the load on the transformer based on the halogen-equivalent wattage of the LEDs rather than their stated wattage (don't understand why). Also, the specialists say some older transformers don't work properly with LEDs and may have to be replaced. It's no big deal because the transformers are quite cheap unless you're running the Blackpool illuminations, but it's worth checking this out before swapping 12-volt halogens for LEDs.
Al
Yes you can get them in LED too Vic, I haven't tested any of them though.
I have found that the ones IKEA now sell are very good with an acceptable level/colour of light. Their GU10s and the mini-spotlight replacement bulbs cost around €6 - €7 each. They are committed to providing replacement bulbs for all types of lamps that they sell. Very happy with mine so far with no failures yet.
What about these? I need to replace laods of them. I think I have 24 in the lounge alone!!
@ Mike Longhurst
Do you have a link to the bulbs you are buying at amazon? I'm guessing it's Amazon UK due to the pounds price tag.
Also, are they dimmable?
Regards
Sandra, I have been unable to find the Osram bulbs online for a reasonable price, in any case they are grey plastic and not especially attractive. If you have a Bricomarche close I reckon they will have them so you could examine them more closely. However, if your spot is recessed you can hardly see what colour the lamp casing is especially when it's on. Hope that helps!
Absolutely Mike, I quite agree, a lot of this stuff is made in China and much of it is of excellent quality, just watch our for the extremely cheap stuff. For reference these are the ones I bought that have mostly failed already.
They are all made in China anyway - probably in the same factory.
I would have no worries about buying from a well established online trader with a good feedback rating.
Cheap ones - and other stuff - from CPC, never had a cause for complaint - not yet, at least. Other dearer, known brand stuff on the other hand has sometimes popped its clogs - it's the luck of the draw, I guess. Myself. I've had disappointment with Philips in particular. And I'd like to add that not everything made in China or Korea is crap; they often get it right.
Sandra, I would say the Osram, I will dig out the receipt tomorrow and find a link for you.
I bought a dozen of the cheap Chinese LEDs, only one of them is still working after 2 months! Steer clear of them!
We replaced the halogen GU10 bulbs in a 6-spot light with LEDs imported from China three months ago. Three of the bulbs have failed so far, OH thought he had a bargain but the halogens are, temporarily, back. We have rather an unreliable power supply out here in la France Profonde and he thinks that may have something to do with the unreliability of both LEDs and fluorescents. It's a pity because they gave a much better light than the halogens.
Have about fifteen in the hall, kitchen, toilet and shower and the hall ones all expire within a year of being replaced. This time I replaced them with LED over time and not had any go so far. So much better value, especially as they consume less electricity. We have a variety of whites and a couple of disco light versions I got by mistake which add colour and variety!
I have been using the conventional type bulb with the halogen light core a few years. Good reading light, but like you say, short lived. I have resisted the LED floods in my lamps because they point the light upward. Too directional. It didn't seem to make sense in reading lamps. I did order a large UFO LED (from Amazon) for the house plants and springtime semis. It provides a similar to sunlight, three color spectrum. The semis love it and don't get all spindly growing toward the window before going outside to harden up for planting. I would love to find an omnidirectional LED bulb for the reading lamps.
All the lighting in our house is now LED. We also purchase our LEDs from Amazon and we buy MiniSun 3W GU10 (50W replacement) warm white 3000K bulbs (approx. £4 each). These are not the bright white which we find quite a cold light, but an exact replacement for Halogen and are absolutely brilliant, they are brighter than the 8x50W halogen lights they have just replaced in our bathroom and we also use these in my wife's pottery. As each bulb has 58 SMD LEDs and a 120 Degree angle they are very effective and do not just provide a narrow beam.
Ours are a brushed chrome finish!!!
Rgds, Mike L
I need a brushed chrome/silvery finish not white, so which would you recommend for me?
Is there much choice of colour? I can't stand "warm white" and much prefer the cooler bluer end of the spectrum. Even a bit bluer than daylight would suit me fine
Yes indeedy; I've been making the switch each time I replace or add a light or fitting. I've had some from CPC at good prices: £2.41 for instance for GU10s, but go there and have a hunt around their (none too user friendly) website. They do a fantastic range of stuff and the will deliver to France.