new downlight fitting

intoxicated · Oct 22, 2007 2:53 pm

since the builder install the downlights not exactly on ideal position, I am thinking to change the fitting to the tiltable one. but the problem is, the existing hole is not big enough for the new fitting. should I call the electrician to make the hole bigger? is it safe to DIY ?

btw, this is only for fitting. I'm not changing anything else

ewan · Oct 22, 2007 2:55 pm

usually the 'titable' ones are the same size as the fixed ones.

You can change the fixtures yourself but not the wires.

intoxicated · Oct 23, 2007 1:30 pm

I don't know. for some reason, the new one is bigger, like 20mm bigger. How hard can it be to cut the new hole? would normal hand saw do the trick?

Yak_Chat · Oct 23, 2007 1:41 pm

Easy to cut via a small pad saw - jigsaw is easier - but be aware of your warranty issues. .
Steve

memphis · Oct 23, 2007 2:14 pm

your kidding right? call an electrician? seems a little extreme

get a jab saw from the local hardware, costs next to nothing and looks like a ugly steak knife, and just trim the edges, gyprock is very easy to cut and it should take all of 5 seconds.

you can even use an old kitchen knife if you like...your only looking to make the hole slightly bigger.

another option is to buy a holesaw of the correct size and use that to make the hole bigger, will look neater. my local bunnings has a "Down light installation kit" of all size holesaws for $8. You would just need a steady hand to make sure the holesaw doesnt go off course.

since the ballasts are the same, you wont need to do any re-wiring. just use the old ballasts on the new fittings.

ahuang · Oct 25, 2007 11:30 pm

becareful with the insulation stuff in the ceiling, there were reports about downlights installed by DIY causing fire....

See these 2 posts from my blog:

http://building-our-first-house.blogspot.com/2007/07/tips011-downlights-could-set-fire-to.html

http://building-our-first-house.blogspot.com/2007/07/others009-follow-up-on-downlights-fire.html

Casa2 · Oct 26, 2007 12:10 am

If your downlights are 12V I would imagine that you are legally allowed to "play with the wiring".

If they are low voltage downlights then just unscrew them, poke the wires up into the ceiling (but make sure you can get them back), use a hole saw to drill the hole, retrieve wires, rewire and pop in. Nice clean proessional job.

A hole saw is a cylinder with saw cuts along one side, which fits into you drill. Will make a nice clean hole of the right size. As others have meniotned, make sure the insulation around the transformers and light fittings are clear of them (as it shoud be before you started the process).

If the downlights are not low voltage, things get difficult.

intoxicated · Oct 26, 2007 11:59 am

it's 12v downlight btw. and I'm not changing anything beside the fitting.

Casa2

As others have meniotned, make sure the insulation around the transformers and light fittings are clear of them (as it shoud be before you started the process)

how do I do that?

ewan · Oct 26, 2007 12:10 pm

Normally you go into the roof and check that the fluffy stuff (insulation) is not near the transformer.

If you are only changing the fixture, you dont need to do this.

_Al_ · Oct 26, 2007 12:13 pm

ewan

Normally you go into the roof and check that the fluffy stuff (insulation) is not near the transformer.

If you are only changing the fixture, you dont need to do this.

Check it anyway.

intoxicated · Oct 26, 2007 12:58 pm

will do that anyway, better safe then sorry

installation inspector · Nov 13, 2007 11:42 am

How did you go with this?

Technically, an electrician isn't required to change the "gimble" (frame) of the downlight, as it's no different to changing a globe (because the frame isn't connected to any live electrical wires; they're connected to the transformer a short distance away). Be aware that some frames have mounting brackets for the transformer, which would need to be unclipped. If the electrician has done his job properly, there shouldn't be any exposed single insulated wires going into the transformer, and you are safe to touch/move the transformer. Double insulation is required to be continuous all the way into the transformer terminal cover. If you see any coloured wires, then they are the single-insulated wires.

You are correct; adjustable gimbles are usually larger diameter than fixed ones. You'd need to make sure you aren't likely to cut or damage any of the wiring that is in the roof space when you make the hole bigger. The insulation problems have already been mentioned so I wont elaborate. The other thing to watch out for is around the hole there might be timber (which the gyprock is attached to) which may prevent (or make more difficult) you making the hole larger in the direction you want to go.