Screw-thread on downlight - what is it for?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Screw-thread on downlight - what is it for?

steve98

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#145415 17-May-2014 08:40

Our home has been fitted with fairly common / standard Superlux SD100 downlights (http://www.superlux.co.nz/products/?id=343&product=244) which take a R80 light bulb, but I notice that there is a screw thread on the opening that sits flush with the ceiling -- anyone know what this is for? The website doesn't really explain it but it must be for something.

I am hoping that you can maybe buy some sort of screw-in insert that allows you to put a 'normal' size bulb in there (instead of the R80) without you then seeing the innards of the downlighter unit. I really want to replace the bulbs throughout with LEDs but R80 LEDs are few and far between.

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#1046817 17-May-2014 08:49

Is it not to change the coloured trim?

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steve98

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#1046826 17-May-2014 09:20

Niel: Is it not to change the coloured trim?

I honestly don't know... could be I guess. I don't know enough about this stuff and not having much luck researching. Might have to go talk to a lighting shop I guess.

raytaylor

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#1047029 17-May-2014 15:29

Are you talking about the ribs at the bottom of the bulb cavity?
My guess is it could be to help push light downward?

Ray Taylor

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SteveON

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#1047058 17-May-2014 15:59

Can be for a lampshade or for a mount. Take a picture.

steve98

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#1047063 17-May-2014 16:05

Here's a photo:

However... went to Bunnings today and found that they are selling LED R80's for $19 which I thought was a pretty decent price so no longer a major issue but still interested to know what they're for. Could well be that it's just how it screws in to the housing.

mattwnz

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#1047072 17-May-2014 16:33

I think is is just a pattern. Either that, or a cover could be fitted over the top, but I doubt it.

steve98

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#1047074 17-May-2014 16:38

I am an idiot. It can't be a screw thread because it gets narrower as it goes up. Therefore just a pattern. Happy now I found cheap r80 LEDs anyway :-)

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linw

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#1047332 18-May-2014 08:25

Interested in hearing how the LED's go. I noticed Bunnings also had 10W and 13W LEDs in 'normal' bulb format for <$20. Anyone tried these?

steve98

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#1047334 18-May-2014 08:41

linw: Interested in hearing how the LED's go. I noticed Bunnings also had 10W and 13W LEDs in 'normal' bulb format for <$20. Anyone tried these?

Very disappointed in the LED R80s. These are the 'click' brand ones (not sure they do any other brand of LED R80's at Bunnings). Brightness was good but the packaging said they were warm white with a colour temperature of 3000K but they are in fact very stark white and it is not pleasant at all. We took them straight out and put the old ones back again. May take these back today.

We did also buy a two-pack of 'normal' bulb format 6W LEDs for use in some lamps. Again, these were whiter light than we wanted but not so bad with a lampshade. They box said equivalent to 40W but I would say they look more like a 60W. I'm happy with these.

So now I'm back to exploring other options. The other LED R80's I've seen online are more expensive than these (around $35) but I'm worried about even trying them now that I've been burned by these supposed 'warm white' LEDs. Anyone have any recommendations?

I wish there was a way of converting these downlights to take a 'normal' bulb without being able to see the innards of the can. I doubt replacing them for a different downlight is a particularly inexpensive / easy job.

traderstu

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#1047336 18-May-2014 08:58

steve98: I am an idiot. It can't be a screw thread because it gets narrower as it goes up.

No you're not. Tapered threads are not uncommon

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#1047365 18-May-2014 09:51

Consumer NZ has just tested LED's this month - they recommend Panasonic LDAHV8L27H2 though they are not cheap at $24 but you can buy them from Countdown

You can read all about their tests here http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/led-bulbs

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andrewNZ

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#1047373 18-May-2014 10:06

FWIW some old downlights do have a thread there. You install the frame, then screw in the reflector/trim.

If I was boss of the world, downlights would be banned (with the exception of a handful of cases).

richms

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#1047426 18-May-2014 13:16

I ignored the click r 80 lamps because of them saying warm white on them. We're they actually a neutral white or just a crap colour?

The click par38 lamps are a good neutral white but a little dim at only 7 watts so i'm going to have to chuck up a few more holders before swapping out the last of the 120w incandescent ones.

Richard rich.ms

Niel

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#1047636 18-May-2014 21:43

I've got about 30x ViriBright 8W warm white LED screw-in (E24) bulbs as I have just replaced all my fittings with fully sealed 14W ones. Bulbs are between 1 and 2 years old as we built the house 2 years ago and I've progressively replaced incandescent bulbs with LEDs. I'm in Auckland and will sell them at half retail price if anyone interested, send me a message. If no one interested, I'll put them either on the "for sale" page or TradeMe.

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Niel

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#1047637 18-May-2014 21:47

steve98: They box said equivalent to 40W but I would say they look more like a 60W.

That's because it is compared to total light output. Incandescent radiates in all directions, so when used in a down light or reflector fitting a large percentage is wasted into the ceiling/back while an LED bulb is directional so all the light is radiated forward. In the right fitting, an LED bulb is even more efficient than just the power saving.

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