FAQ
WHAT TYPE OF LIGHTING IS SAFEST FOR A HIGH-HEAT APPLICATION?
Question by Kelsey: What type of lighting is safest for a high-heat application? Trying to install accent lighting under a fireplace mantle, which obviously gets hot when there is a fire. Halogen bulbs are a no-no – killed the bulbs after 2 hours the first time the fireplace was on. Will LED bulbs be safe in this application? If so, should I buy a pre-integrated puck, or a fixture for MR16 or Gu10 lights? And which of those two options would be safer. MR16 means the transformer would be elsewhere, but it’d end up inside the wall or directly behind the plasma TV, so I am not sure that is any superior – Gu10s would have the transformer right at the light, but can they handle the light?
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COULD SOMEONE HELP ME OUT WITH LUX/LUMENS LEVELS.?
Question by : Could someone help me out with Lux/Lumens levels.? We would like to compare different light globes in lumens and lux. So I am trying to convert Watts to Lumens and Lux. PLease HELP. 100w Incandescent globe = ? lumens and ? lux 20w ES Compact Fluro globe = ? Lumens and ? Lux 36w Linear Fluro Tube = ? lumens and ?lux 13w GU10 Compact Fluro = ? Lumens and ? Lux 5w LED = ? Lumens and ? Lux 50w GU10 Halogen = ? Lumens and ? Lux 50w MR16 Halogen = ? Lumens and ? Lux Or any websites for dummies on converting watts to lux/lumens.You could direct us to would be great. Or is there a formula to do this?? if there just simple converter web site to use to help me maybe that we easier to get my answers.
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WHY AM I HEARING A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE WITH 12V BATTERY AND HALOGEN BULB?
Question by msoexpert: Why am I hearing a high-pitched whine with 12V battery and halogen bulb? I have a 12V, 8A LED dimmer that I have been using with flexible LED strip lights. And it’s worked just great!
The other day, I was at Home Depot and they had 12V, 50W halogen floodlights (MR16) on sale for just $ 0.67. So I purchased 2 to use with my dimmer. And the dimmer works great with it. The bulb dims and brightens. I hear a high-pitched whine as I adjust the dimmer from dim to very bright.
At first, I thought it was coming from the bulb. But it’s really coming from the dimmer. The battery powering the bulb is a 12V, 1.3AH battery pack (Ten 1.2V, 1300ma Nimh batteries). And if I bypass the dimmer and just hook up the battery to the bulb, it’s super bright and no whinning sound.
The dimmer doesn’t make a sound with anything else it’s connected to. So if I hook the battery and dimmer to a 21 LED MR16 bulb, no whinning or problem. Same with connecting LED strip lights. It’s just that 50W halogen that is causing the dimmer to whine.
Because the halogen is the most powerful light I am using, the only thing I can think of that is causing the whinning is the dimmer switch is not able to handle the roughly 4A current the bulb is drawing. But that would be 1/2 the 8A rating of the dimmer and I doubt it’s that bad.
Any help you can offer me would be appreciated! FYI, it’s the halogen bulb that is making the whinning, not the dimmer!
I’ve heard that AC dimmers can have trouble with clean waveforms, causing whinning. Is it possible the same thing is happening here with DC?
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Q&A: PROBLEMS WITH LED LAMPS?
Question by : Problems with LED lamps? Ok, so basically I am working on a project an the moment. I want to create an innovative, energy-efficient lighting design using new technology such as LED lamps.
The basic specs of the lamps are as follows:
12v MR16 fitting Dimmable White (ish) light
The problem is, I am a bit confused with how to incorpoate a mains voltage to 12v transformer into the circuitry. I am also confused with the term ‘Trailing edge dimmer’, which seems to be something I need if I am to use a dimmable LED bulb.
Can anyone help me? I need some directions as to what to do.
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REPLACING 50W MR16 HALOGENS WITH LEDS?
Question by : Replacing 50w MR16 halogens with LEDs? Let me preface by saying I am not a electrician and am new to this recessed lighting game. But what I’d like to do is replace my existing 50w MR16 bulbs with a low energy option (like LED). I am aware there could be some light appearance issues and the non-dimming factor, but can it be done? I have ELCO low-voltage lighting system, but not sure if the transformer will work with LED replacements. I assume, and correct me if I am wrong, that if I try LEDs then the worst that could happen would be the LEDs do not draw enough power for the transformer to work and the lights just do not turn on? Thanks for any advice.
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WHY AM I HEARING A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE WITH 12V BATTERY AND HALOGEN BULB?
Question by msoexpert: Why am I hearing a high-pitched whine with 12V battery and halogen bulb? I have a 12V, 8A LED dimmer that I have been using with flexible LED strip lights. And it’s worked just great!
The other day, I was at Home Depot and they had 12V, 50W halogen floodlights (MR16) on sale for just $ 0.67. So I purchased 2 to use with my dimmer. And the dimmer works great with it. The bulb dims and brightens. I hear a high-pitched whine as I adjust the dimmer from dim to very bright.
At first, I thought it was coming from the bulb. But it’s really coming from the dimmer. The battery powering the bulb is a 12V, 1.3AH battery pack (Ten 1.2V, 1300ma Nimh batteries). And if I bypass the dimmer and just hook up the battery to the bulb, it’s super bright and no whinning sound.
The dimmer doesn’t make a sound with anything else it’s connected to. So if I hook the battery and dimmer to a 21 LED MR16 bulb, no whinning or problem. Same with connecting LED strip lights. It’s just that 50W halogen that is causing the dimmer to whine.
Because the halogen is the most powerful light I am using, the only thing I can think of that is causing the whinning is the dimmer switch is not able to handle the roughly 4A current the bulb is drawing. But that would be 1/2 the 8A rating of the dimmer and I doubt it’s that bad.
Any help you can offer me would be appreciated! FYI, it’s the halogen bulb that is making the whinning, not the dimmer!
I’ve heard that AC dimmers can have trouble with clean waveforms, causing whinning. Is it possible the same thing is happening here with DC?
Read More >>
WHAT TYPE OF LIGHTING IS SAFEST FOR A HIGH-HEAT APPLICATION?
Question by Kelsey: What type of lighting is safest for a high-heat application? Trying to install accent lighting under a fireplace mantle, which obviously gets hot when there is a fire. Halogen bulbs are a no-no – killed the bulbs after 2 hours the first time the fireplace was on. Will LED bulbs be safe in this application? If so, should I buy a pre-integrated puck, or a fixture for MR16 or Gu10 lights? And which of those two options would be safer. MR16 means the transformer would be elsewhere, but it’d end up inside the wall or directly behind the plasma TV, so I am not sure that is any superior – Gu10s would have the transformer right at the light, but can they handle the light?
Read More >>
Q&A: REPLACED HALOGEN BY LED, HOW TO PREVENT TRANSFORMER SHUTDOWN?
Question by Marçal: Replaced halogen by LED, how to prevent transformer shutdown? Hi, I replaced two 12V 20W halogen bulbs (wired in parallel) by two 3W 12V LEDs also in parallel. The problem is that the transformer (in a kitchen fume hood) seems to shut down when both LEDs are connect. It can take one but the two cause problems. I guess this might be caused by the very low resistances of the the 2 LEDs connected in parallel that short circuit the transformer?… How can I reduce this “short circuit” without causing significant voltage drop for the LEDs? I tried using them in series but they will not work because they will then each have half the required voltage. Of course the idea is o find a solution that will also not significantly interfere with the energy savings associated with the change of halogen by LED. Btw, the LEDs are MR16 and have their own tiny voltage regulator/stabilizer circuit (or whatever that is).
Thanks! Hi, the individual LEDs are not 12V but the MR16 bulb (each containing 3 LED chips) is rated for 12V AC or DC. It has, as I mentioned, it’s own voltage regulator built in. The spots work well with one or two halogen lamps or just one LED (either one, so they both work fine). When both are connected then all blinks briefly and goes black.
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CONVERTING HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS TO LED’S?
Question by Bupalooga: Converting Halogen Light Bulbs to LED’s? I want to convert my lounge room & kitchen Halogen Lighting to LED lighting as its cheaper to run & the bulbs last a lot longer. In total there is 17 MR16 12V down-lights, each with their own transformers. The problem is I am quite sure with this type you have to replace the Transformers as-well as the bulbs? & can multiple LED’s be run of a single transformer?
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Q&A: REPLACING 50W MR16 HALOGENS WITH LEDS?
Question by DaveY: Replacing 50w MR16 halogens with LEDs? Let me preface by saying I am not a electrician and am new to this recessed lighting game. But what I’d like to do is replace my existing 50w MR16 bulbs with a low energy option (like LED). I am aware there could be some light appearance issues and the non-dimming factor, but can it be done? I have ELCO low-voltage lighting system, but not sure if the transformer will work with LED replacements. I assume, and correct me if I am wrong, that if I try LEDs then the worst that could happen would be the LEDs do not draw enough power for the transformer to work and the lights just do not turn on? Thanks for any advice.
Read More >>