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Dunks

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Joined: 20/09/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 7

Posted: 02:13am 31 Oct 2012

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Hi all,

Trying to decide what kind of LED lights to use in the house we are building, ones with the driver for each light, or 240v which I think have a driver built in the the back anyways (we havePV but it is grid connect so will have to use the grid I guess, although I was considering a separate panel or 2 and a battery just for lighting... any thoughts ) The other option I was considering was to run 1 or more central driver/ transformer (is there a difference) and then running low voltage cable to the lights. Any one see an issue with this? how far can I run cable before voltage drop might be an issue? each light is about 10w.
one reason for not having driver with the light is that I'm planning on having moulded block outs in the suspended slab to fit down lights into, and want to keep the heat down.
Cheers,
Dunks

Dunks

yahoo2

Guru

Joined: 05/04/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1166

Posted: 08:13pm 01 Nov 2012

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Hi Dunks,
thoughts!
I dont really know if I can explain this well but I will have a try.

The more complicated the electrical system is, the more problems you will have. The more non standard parts you use, the harder it will be to service and use in the future.

If the grid is available then your basic layout should be 240 volt from the grid to each living area and work space. If you want to fit low voltage LED downlights then design it around standard downlight pins and sockets and use the correct LED power supply to drive each string of lights. It gives you a lot of flexibility to fine tune or upgrade things.

Good lighting can really make a house a pleasure to live in. Downlights can work well where you want to avoid casting a shadow with your body (like in the kitchen or office with benches and appliances around the walls) or if you want to avoid the glare of looking towards a globe in the centre of the room. However recessed lights are not great at filling a room with even light and reflections off computer and TV screens can be an issue sometimes.

For all those areas of the house that lights don't get used much 240 volt sockets and cheap bulbs are still the most economical option, may not look trendy but it works. I get excited about new 240v LED bulbs that will solve all the problems of the world, buy one to try and so far I have been very underwhelmed.

If I was building new, the one low voltage thing I would wire for, is a security system, particularly wiring for electric door-strikes in the exterior door frames, they are such a pain to wire afterwards.

Heat may still be an issue with a 10 watt LED that is in a tight space with no ventilation, you might have to talk to a professional on that one.

yahoo

I'm confused, no wait... maybe I'm not...

Sprocket
Newbie

Joined: 03/11/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 8

Posted: 09:29pm 02 Nov 2012

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Hi Dunks
Don't know whether this helps but I have just replaced about 16 halogen lights with LED lights CLA374610S CLA Longlife (clalighting.com.au)but supplied locally by Roverts.
They are in a mounting approximately 90 mm diameter and cost approx. $50 each.
Each unit has 21 LEDs set behind a frosted face and the size meant that I had to use a
saw to cut out a larger hole (very messy). Each came with a solid state transformer but what a change to the room lighting. They are incredibly bright with a much wider 'throw' than halogens and although expensive, based on power usage, the units in kitchen/dining will pay for themselves in 3 years. This great because they also have a 3 year warranty and state the average lifetime as 30,000 hours.
I did try the lamps with the S.S tranys. that the halogens used and, although they worked, I believe they would have a shorter life.
I selected the 'warm white' model because the other type casts a much harsher light.
Frankly I cannot understand this use of halogens, they are narrow focus and don't throw nearly enough light.

Dunks

Newbie

Joined: 20/09/2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 7

Posted: 12:07am 04 Nov 2012

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Hey thanks Sprocket and yahoo, very helpful info.
Yes I think there is not much comparison between the old halogens and the new breed of LED down lights - the 90 plus degrees of light should make it fairly easy to fill a room with light. I think I might try a mock up with some attached to a timber propped to the ceiling to see if I am happy with placement of the lights first.

Cheers,
Dunks

Dunks

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