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They shouldn't need a transformer if they're run on a 12v system, should they?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesus Jones
I was thinking about having a load of recessed spots in the ceiling to provide a nice ambient light. I'm sick of the awful florescent lighting that they insist on using here.
if you have a 240v system. as is normal, then you need a transformer
if you have your own 12v system, then obviously not
you don't need a transformer to run a LED on 240VAC - a 10-12k resistor will do the trick and you will not notice the LED flashing at 50Hz
though I can't be sure about the life of the LED :D
Yes it is almost true. The dimmer will reduce the voltage and the efficiency of the bulb rated 240V drops dramatically. You save very little power but lose very much light. It is much better to have a big light if you need it and a small one when you don't. Especially those big Halogen lights with 100W and up are terrible power consumers and get often dimmed because they are too bright.Quote:
Originally Posted by Butterfly
That resistor just burns all the excess voltage. This way you get only 5% of the power consumed into the LED. 95% are converted into heat by the resistor.Quote:
Originally Posted by baldrick
yes - I was just pointing out that a Light Emmiting Diode can be run on 240VAC without any transformer or rectifierQuote:
Originally Posted by Takeovers
http://www.megaman.co.th/
Megaman has a shop on Thonglor. They have a range of very innovative LED lamps which can be used in existing fixtures. If you are interested in innovative and energy effecient lighting, check them out.
Sorry the website is in Thai only.
Maybe I am not up to date. But I have yet to see a LED lamp that does have a light I would want in my home. Everything I have seen so far just looks horrible like the fluorescent lamps of the 60ties and 70ties. Barely good enough as emergency lighting on the stairs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Humbert
You also need to check the real efficiency comparing Lumen/Watt. Usually they just consume less and produce less light. Again good for emergency lighting but not if you want to light a room. If that measure is not provided in the technical data you can safely assume they are not efficient.
Delta Light, pure lighting pleasure
Delta, expensive but make some fantastic LED fittings that produce a quality light.
hmmm, so maybe I won't use those mini-lights in the house, just the kitchen above the hob and sink
I can use the larger downlights for bedrooms etc and use low energy bulbs
then if they inevitably get left on, it won't warm the planet too much
You would be surprised to know how much they are used in commercial applications. Everything has it's purpose. Residential acceptance usually lags behind commercial.Quote:
Originally Posted by TakeoversMaybe I am not up to date. But I have yet to see a LED lamp that does have a light I would want in my home. Everything I have seen so far just looks horrible like the fluorescent lamps of the 60ties and 70ties. Barely good enough as emergency lighting on the stairs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Humbert
You also need to check the real efficiency comparing Lumen/Watt. Usually they just consume less and produce less light. Again good for emergency lighting but not if you want to light a room. If that measure is not provided in the technical data you can safely assume they are not efficient.
Guess everyone has to do their part but go with the 240v, incandescent lights with dimmers as it won't warm the planet anymore than some of the other suggestion. The extra petrol you burn traveling to buy "special" light replacement will add more to the destruction of the planet than a short walk to your local 7/11.Quote:
Originally Posted by DrAndy
They have these motion/sound sensor light switch units that turn off lights after a period of no motion or sound. Might want to consider being folks in your house have a habit of leaving lights on.
I am not surprised. Probably light quality doesn't matter in these applications. Also LED has its value in situations where low maintenance and reliability is a more important factor than initial cost. That is the reason why they are used in top of the line cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by Humbert
I stand by my opinion that LED as suitable home lighting are a long way off. Good light quality is definately possible but with a cost in efficiency and investment. Best compromise at present are incandescent lights. They are available in reasonable quality. At least here in Europe. I have not seen good ones in the Philippines and would not know about Thailand. And they have that problem with mercury in them and no working recycling. There LED would have an advantage.
Central did their fine watch department in their new Pattaya outlet entirely with LED showcase lighting and the overall effect is spectacular. The overall effect is cool and high-tech. If you want warmth you still have to go with halogen or incandescent. Compact flourescent has come a long way too. Now the warm and daylight versions are very good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Takeovers
the LED lights are fine for showcases etc, but they do not yet have enough power to light a room
even the replacements they do for the little halogen light fittings are low power, approx 10-15watt equivalent
i will have to start thinking in Lumens, all this old wattage stuff is a nuisance
so I went to HomeMall and had a look
they do downlighters in several sizes, including 4" and 6"
these can be used with energy efficient lamps. If I really hate them it is fairly easy to change to something else. They are cheap too, similar fittings are from B39 to B150, depending on quality and finish; you can also get them with glass inserts which look good in a bathroom
so I will buy lots of the B39 version to start with, then change to something better if needed
I will also buy a selection of the different lamps, in wattage and colour, to test them in different locations
Baldrick pretty much has a handle on the facts, if you are running 12v anything from 240v you will pay for the conversion hardware and its inherent losses and therefore the energy costs more. If you start looking at specs you will find that a lot of florescent lights operate at 100v, computers 5v and so on it goes
I have some LED lights that I used to replace the small mains voltage recessed halogen bulbs, (GU10 size) They claim to have at least 10 times the life of the halogens and use less than 20% of the power. They are a very cool light colour so you may not like them. I find the standard halogens are blowing all the time and are a real pain to change. I'm actually achieving a 100% power saving because the wife doesn't like them and has gone from leaving them on all day to never turning them on :D
that is the answer to power costs
tell people that the lamps attract ghosts, then they will never turn them on
I like warm light, and halogen does it for meQuote:
Originally Posted by BigRed
LED cool light looks like shit, unless it's for exterior lighting, its main purpose I suspect
AgreeQuote:
Originally Posted by Butterfly
It is good for lighting a display of jewelry or watches. I like that icy white also on outdoor christmas lighting. It gives a look like -20°C even if it is warm. :)