I have got ownership of a house which was built in the late 90s.
Majority of the lights were halogen downlights.
I found out last week that I am unable to just go get the equivalent LED from Bunnings to retrofit.
I was told that the transformer from the Halogen is not compatible with the LED.
It will be a big job as I have 50 lights to convert.
Does anyone know how much is it to do this conversion in Perth?
The running cost of halogen (35-50W) lights are costly compared to LED (5-7W).
Not sure to bite the bullet and covert or stick with high running cost.
Converting Halogen Downlights to LED Downlights
he88388 on 29/05/2018 - 10:00
Comments
I thought that too, but the ones from bunnings do work with older transformers. My transformers are the old black brick looking ones.
They all worked.
Try one and see. It won't damage the transformer, it just won't turn on if it is not compatible.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/luce-bella-6w-470lm-60-warm-whit…
Same here.
Just swapped in the LED ones and they worked. The only downside for me was that there are 2 lights that will randomly turn off then back on every now and then. Don't even notice it anymore so was worth it for me.
The old style copper core transformers will work perfectly fine with LED lights. The problem is with the "newer" style electric transformers. They have a minimum power requirement of they chuck a hissy or just don't work. Depending on the model, a lot of LEDs won't hit that minimum.
One way around this is to hook up multiple LEDs to the one transformer. But the best way is to get LED drivers. Or just get rid of the transformers altogether and get 240v LED downlight kits, ones that fit in the existing hole. I think GU10 kits are 240v whereas MR16 kits are the ones that drop to 12v.
Edited - bad advice given.
When you take out your downlights, what is the thickness of the pins at the bottom of each halogen globe? Thin pins = MR16, matchstick thickness pins = GU10. It's likely that you have MR16's as you have a transformer.
There are some LED globes that can work with existing halogen transformers, but it can be hit and miss. Primsal is a globe that has been universally used as a retrofit globe across Victoria - so if you can get your hands on these go for it.
Definitely MR16's.
GU10 is 240v and MR16 is 12v, therefore transformer = 12v.
Depends on how many hours your lights need to be on, and how many hours your lights are actually on.
If you're in a household where every one switches off the lights when leaving the room, and lights are only generally needed for 2-3 hours of the day (early sleepers), I wouldn't bother.
If you're further south and a night owl, lights may be required for 7+ hours per day. The break even is usually within a year.
Trial and error is the only way.
I haven't seen an LED yet that hasn't worked with an old transformer.I'd just be replacing the ones on for a long time; kitchen, dining, living.
Bedroom lights are only on for a few minutes a day (generally).Just my 2c
Switching the transformers will improve efficiency. I’d recommend switching them if possible.
As above, do a few at a time, commonly used ones first.
Are your downlights hard wired or is there a surface socket in the roof space that the transformer plugs into? Check. If there is a socket in the roof space that you can get to, it may be better to just replace the entire fitting to LED DLs rather than just the globes
NSW have this scheme: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/380612
May be worth finding out if WA does something similar as will save you quite a bundle.