Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 Jul 24, 2009 6:28 pm I am building a new home in NSW with 2.7m ceilings. What would be the best type of downlight to install which would give the brightest lighting and would not need time to warm up? I will need to put in about 130. I know absolutely nothing about downlights! I would be grateful for any advice which is in lay mans terms Building in Bella Vista Waters Sydney. The Galaxy with Macquarie facade by Young Homes Re: downlights - Im confused 2Jul 24, 2009 6:44 pm Oh my. You read my mind! I came in here to post almost the same thing! Can I add my questions?? - What type of downlight will produce a warm light (not flouro) and is not part of that phasing out thing Ive heard about globes? - Will be used for family/living/dining - And dont particularly want lots of downlights in a small area if needed i.e. I would prefer to have 4 downlights in a room 4mx4m rather than6 or something (I pulled those finger from my tush, so ignore them if they are not right lol) Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: downlights - Im confused 3Jul 25, 2009 11:18 pm Hi there Kerrin62 & Bam, I will try and answer all your questions. 1. Kerrin62 - If you don't like the idea of downlights warming up time delay, then the only option you have is halogen. - These are available in many shapes, colours and designs. - Depending on the fitting, some may require heat hoods, to comply with the new elecrtical commission standards. - check out this link - http://shop.micaunited.com.au/cat/2016662.html 2. Bam - Warm white is available in both halogen and fluro. - Both Halogen and Fluro are widely used in family, living & dining areas. Whereas, the new energy saver compact fluros are not really compatible with rooms that you don't spend much time in eg. bathroom, toilet, laundry, bedrooms, etc. This is because, by the time the spiral lamps warm up, it may be time to leave the room. - in a room 4x4m, 4 would be more than sufficient when using halogen downlights. If using the energy saver compact fluros, then i'd say a minimum of 4 maybe 5 or 6. Hope this helps both of you, and good luck. Re: downlights - Im confused 4Jul 26, 2009 11:13 am Thank you very much Mica, exactly what I was after Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: downlights - Im confused 6Jul 26, 2009 8:27 pm MICA in a room 4x4m, 4 would be more than sufficient when using halogen downlights. If using the energy saver compact fluros, then i'd say a minimum of 4 maybe 5 or 6. Incase you have already done the wiring for the downlights... there are three different sizes of downlights in shops. We had only four downlight wiring for a 6 x 6 area. Hence, we choose 4 larger size downlights for that place. Re: downlights - Im confused 7Aug 08, 2009 1:20 am I'm interested in ppls comments for low voltage 12v vs. mains 240v downlights. Which is the better option in terms of cheaper running costs, longer lasting globes etc. It seems to me that most ppl use 12v with transformers, why is this so? In reading about LED and CFL alternatives it sounds like they are good options in theory however ppls experience is that the globes aren't exactly cheap, they don't last much longer than halogens and the light brightness/quality isn't yet as good. This is based on my reading, not personal experience which is what I am interested in as I am favoring halogen at the moment. I'm in the process of building also and need to decide on lighting and electrical in the next few weeks. The other big question for me is do I go the downlights with my builder or am I best to wait and do this directly through an electrician when building has finished and settlement takes place. In your experience does the builder skim off the top, ie. should I do it now through the builder or wait till later and go through the electrician? Cheers Re: downlights - Im confused 8Aug 11, 2009 10:41 am I installed CFL downlights about 3 years ago as I didn't wan't to put in halogen lights for heat / energy consumptions reasons. You definately need to install more fittings than you would with halogens and I found that the guide here helpful to work out how many to install - http://www.neco.com.au/Downlight_inst_guide.pdf. On the down side the lights do take a minute or so to heat up to full brightness, but this is not generally a problem in living areas. On the plus side, although it was more expensive to install, I think it is cheaper in the long run and I love that I haven't had to change a single bulb in 3 years. The bulbs are rated to last for 15,000 hours (Megaman) and I don't expect to be changing any soon. Re: downlights - Im confused 9Aug 13, 2009 7:39 pm Have you looked at the new types of LED globes , not the type used as a replacement for the halogen 50 watt type. There are new varities that are better suited to fit inside a light fitting , only cause they look a bit odd without some sort of lamp shade or ceiling fitting ,these are 3.3 watts ane = to 40 watts and the other is 4.5 watt and =60 watts . These are straight 240 volt and are bayonette firiing or e 27 screw in . Warm white and cool white are available ,best is not frightfully expensive. Forget Halogens as they are the biggest waster of power above anything else. have a good look areounf thse are very new. Re: downlights - Im confused 10Aug 14, 2009 12:39 pm rep334 Have you looked at the new types of LED globes , not the type used as a replacement for the halogen 50 watt type. There are new varities that are better suited to fit inside a light fitting , only cause they look a bit odd without some sort of lamp shade or ceiling fitting ,these are 3.3 watts ane = to 40 watts and the other is 4.5 watt and =60 watts . These are straight 240 volt and are bayonette firiing or e 27 screw in . Warm white and cool white are available ,best is not frightfully expensive. Forget Halogens as they are the biggest waster of power above anything else. have a good look areounf thse are very new. can you post a URL of what you are thinking of rep334 ??? * Are we there yet ? Demolition has come and gone ! yippeeee..hang on that was months ago !! come on Mr Builder, dig a hole at least Finaly ! Hole Dug ! well done darren 20/06/2010. Slab is down ! Framing is complete 20/10/2010 we are progressing like a snail on heat - excited and determined but very very slow Steveo Re: downlights - Im confused 11Aug 15, 2009 6:08 am http://www.hafele.com.au/isapi/online/r ... ctions.asp Have a look here ,but the new globes are not yet in the cat. send me an e-mail and I will give you the info : fernbrae5@bigpond.com.au sorry I can`t get an image to work , can you help with some directions. [img] Re: downlights - Im confused 12Aug 15, 2009 8:43 am rep334 http://www.hafele.com.au/isapi/online/reflections/reflections.asp Have a look here ,but the new globes are not yet in the cat. send me an e-mail and I will give you the info : fernbrae5@bigpond.com.au sorry I can`t get an image to work , can you help with some directions. [img] PM Sent * Are we there yet ? Demolition has come and gone ! yippeeee..hang on that was months ago !! come on Mr Builder, dig a hole at least Finaly ! Hole Dug ! well done darren 20/06/2010. Slab is down ! Framing is complete 20/10/2010 we are progressing like a snail on heat - excited and determined but very very slow Steveo Re: downlights - Im confused 13Aug 24, 2009 9:15 pm monaro57 The other big question for me is do I go the downlights with my builder or am I best to wait and do this directly through an electrician when building has finished and settlement takes place. In your experience does the builder skim off the top, ie. should I do it now through the builder or wait till later and go through the electrician? Cheers Our builder was going to charge us $177 EACH for downlights (we assume they were just "normal" run of the mill 12v) we spoke to the sparky doing our wiring and paid him $30 to put the necessary cables and plugs in, we will buy the ones we want and get an electrician friend to put them in, we are having about 20 which would have cost us $3540 if the builder did them, if we buy the "cheap" 12v all up it will be less than $1000 ALL up! Have to say the builder is making a GOOD profit!! We have been "shopping around" and have to say we are confused about what type to get but probably leaning towards CFL type if we find a style we like. kerrin62, do you REALLY need 130 downlights? If we got our builder to do that many it would cost us $23,000!!! If this is a custom build then I would expect the builder to set out the door frame closer to the wall to avoid the gap between architrave and the wall and or specify… 9 8324 |