Thread: Lighting question

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

the transformers are completely silent too.

They shouldn't need a transformer if they're run on a 12v system, should they?

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

Originally Posted by Butterfly

I have 100W and 150W halogen on 220V and I use dimmer, someone here mentioned that using the dimmer with halogen might actually consume as much power as using no dimmer. Is that true ?

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.

Originally Posted by baldrick

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

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.

Originally Posted by Takeovers

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.

yes - I was just pointing out that a Light Emmiting Diode can be run on 240VAC without any transformer or rectifier

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.

Originally Posted by Humbert

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Takeovers

Originally Posted by Humbert

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.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Humbert

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.

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Takeovers

I am not surprised. Probably light quality doesn't matter in these applications

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.

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

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

that is the answer to power costs

tell people that the lamps attract ghosts, then they will never turn them on

Originally Posted by BigRed

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

I like warm light, and halogen does it for me

LED cool light looks like shit, unless it's for exterior lighting, its main purpose I suspect

Originally Posted by Butterfly

LED cool light looks like shit, unless it's for exterior lighting, its main purpose I suspect

Agree

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.