Orbit LED Downlights

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isis

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#147406 18-Jun-2014 12:58

Hi,

Since the previous LED discussion page has been locked, thought i'd start a new one.

I need about 60 down lights for the new house and have seen these Orbit lights at Bunnings and like the look of them.

They're about 30 bucks each - how prices have come down!

Still quite a bit of coin when you're needing 60!

http://www.orbitlighting.co.nz/product-catalogue/indoor-lighting/led-indoor-lights

Has anybody got experience with them and can't seem to find specs on whether these are dimmable as i'm wanting to use them in a theater room as well.

Cheers

timmmay

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#1068405 18-Jun-2014 13:11

You can ask for discussions to be unlocked, that way people get notified and you get more help.

Makes sure you get insulation cover rated lights, and actually cover them - electricians suck at putting insulation back. Also buy a few spares, as some will no doubt fail, and you may not be able to get the same model later. $30 is still cheap, and you often get what you pay for. If they don't say dimmable, they're not dimmable. Lighting direct has some that are, like these. Note that they're flush with the ceiling and they disperse the light well, the Orbit ones are recessed so they'll be more directional - generally not ideal IMHO.

Dynamic

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#1068422 18-Jun-2014 13:19

If you want to talk to someone knowledgeable about their LED product range, have a chat with Jerome at UniLED - www.uniled.co.nz

Disclaimer: The company is a client of ours.

I studied electronics and have a bit of an LED fetish. I've hit Jerome with some hard questions about their products, and he has answered all without skipping a beat.

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mattwnz

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#1068444 18-Jun-2014 13:43

That is still less than 1k for a house lot. Some companies are still selling 10 for 1k. I am wary of LEDs with combined fittings, because when they fail, the model you buy may not still being made, so you will have to replace with one that won't match the others. So I would buy a quantity of spares, as some may fail prematurely.

I purchased a few standard alone LED bulbs from the warehouse, as they were selling them off for 6.50 each. The light compares well with both Philips and Panasonic ones which are 4 times the price.

trig42

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#1068447 18-Jun-2014 13:49

I have bought a few from eBay, usually about $4 each. (MR16 12V Halogen replacements).

No problems with them, and very happy with their performance.

openmedia

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#1068460 18-Jun-2014 14:01

Has anyone tried out dimmable LEDs?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

SumnerBoy

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#1068465 18-Jun-2014 14:06

I have a load of dimmable LEDs. Some are the Philips Master LED 7W GU10 replacement bulbs. It took me a while to find a dimmer manual module that worked nicely with these bulbs but I eventually found one and I get a nice smooth range of non-flickering dimming now. I have also installed a load of GU10 replacement bulbs from http://lzled.co.nz/ which I dim using Fibaro in-wall dimmer modules. These also work very well and given they are now hooked up to my home automation system give me a lot of cool features - like dimming the lights when XBMC starts playing, or slowly bringing up the lights in my ensuite when we get up in the morning.

NOTE: the Fibaro dimmer didn't work very well with the Philips bulbs - hence the reason for swapping them out with the ones from LZLED.

If you are interested, I now have 16 of those Philips bulbs for sale. They are a couple of years old and in perfect condition. Open to offers.

mattwnz

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#1068466 18-Jun-2014 14:07

openmedia: Has anyone tried out dimmable LEDs?

I haven't seen any on shelves, and I think the ones that are being sold are pricey. Dimming in switches is also pretty old technology which I think is best suited to incandescent bulbs. You do also get that buzzing occurring in the dimming switch. You can get WiFi led bulbs that dim, which I think are better.

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mattwnz

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#1068470 18-Jun-2014 14:09

trig42: I have bought a few from eBay, usually about $4 each. (MR16 12V Halogen replacements).

No problems with them, and very happy with their performance.

Warehouse were selling these cheap too, about $6 each, but they appear to have raised their prices. The ones they sell are 220 lumens, which isn't that powerful. How many lumens are the eBay ones?

Niel

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#1068662 18-Jun-2014 17:01

www.qualityledlighting.co.nz is the best IMO. Separate driver which is replaceable (and repairable), fully insulation covered, and you can order the exact colour temperature you want. We fitted our whole house with 4000K which is a nice daylight. These can be dimmed with (apparently) good control unlike most others that claims to be dimmable. I have not done yet, but will be dimming the kids rumpus room. Flush with the ceiling so good light spread. This guy is an electrician and got a good quality fitting certified to NZ regulations. A 14W fitting is about $55-$60, and better than a 100W incandescent.

You can never have enough Volvos!

SumnerBoy

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#1068672 18-Jun-2014 17:10

I would also recommend Switch Lighting (http://www.switch-lighting.co.nz/). I put these throughout my new home a few years ago and they have been great. Gerard is great to deal with and very helpful. Plus all these LEDs are NZ designed and manufactured. Always feels good to support local business, plus you get the added benefit of local support.

NOTE: I am not associated with Switch Lighting in any way.

shk292

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#1068687 18-Jun-2014 17:28

Possibly courting controversy here, but having checked out my recessed light fittings (from within the roof space), the exchange process for LEDs would seem to be: isolate power, undo two wires, swap fitting, do up two wires. Simpler than fitting a 13A plug for all those who remember every appliance bought in UK needing this done. Just wondering what value an electrician is going to add here...

Niel

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#1068971 19-Jun-2014 06:23

Correct, and AFAIK you are allowed to DIY changing a light fitting with similar as long as you do not extend/change wires and follow instructions provided. An electrician will provide you with a certificate in case something goes wrong so you can proof to your insurance it was done right, however our new built house had so many faults with wiring that I know for a fact you can easily do a better job (unless you find a good electrician).

The hardest part is that often you have to strip new wire because the end will be damaged from an overtightened screw. Check how it should be done, maybe someone can comment as I cannot remember what's in the rules if you bend it over or not. The great thing about LEDs are they draw only about 0.05A @ 240V so even a badly tarnished, poorly terminated connection is unlikely to ever cause an issue.

You can never have enough Volvos!