What LED downlights (retrofit) would you recommend in 2016?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › What LED downlights (retrofit) would you recommend in 2016?

Ragnor

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#204693 13-Oct-2016 11:04

We want to replace about 15 old school downlights (typical 90's R80 downlights unsealed top bad for insulation etc) with led downlights just wondering what brand/models are decent these days? I'm sure things have changed since I last looked a few years ago.

Two different electricians I've talked two would use these http://www.ambiuslighting.co.nz/product-catalogue/indoor-lighting/recessed-down-lights/9w-led-downlight-white-adledp9w110d given they are sold/distributed by JA Russell etc it makes sense, my question is are they any good?

Is there something else better bang for buck? Would I be better off getting the lights myself from bunnings (hpm, deta) or lightingdirect or online like electricaldirectltd?

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#1650215 13-Oct-2016 11:14

I will say if you want a dimmer, don't go cheap. I might even say if you want a dimmer don't use LED, just have fewer lights turned on. I got some relatively low priced LED downlights for my office and had no end of trouble with dimming - I got it pretty good, but I'm considering taking the dimmer out, as they sometimes flicker when on full. Make sure you get a common size, in case they need to be replaced.

I have LedLux from Lighting direct in my bathroom, other than a few early failures (2 / 5), which they had their electrician replace, they're good.

The Lons from Lighting Plus are good on a non-dimmable driver, but on a dimmer they're not great. They're a large, non-standard size, so replacing them with someone else would be more difficult.

richms

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#1650217 13-Oct-2016 11:15

I'm quite happy with the osrams from bunnings. Have inbuilt power supply and lead and plug so sparky just has to put sockets in and then you can swap later if not happy.

More and more are doing that since terminals are hard to get right to please everyone and it means they just have to put a plug and cable on them. Also inbuilt drivers don't need isolation so can be cheaper as there is no exposed low voltage plugs like external drivers.

Richard rich.ms

FineWine

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Nurse (R)

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#1650326 13-Oct-2016 12:30

Consumer Mag test:

Panasonic LDAHV8L27-H2 $23.99 (Countdown) Consumer score 95% [non dimmable]

Philips 8W E27 220-240V $18.75 (NewWorld) Consumer score 90% [non dimmable]

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

timmmay

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#1650333 13-Oct-2016 12:35

FineWine:

Consumer Mag test:

Panasonic LDAHV8L27-H2 $23.99 (Countdown) Consumer score 95% [non dimmable]

Philips 8W E27 220-240V $18.75 (NewWorld) Consumer score 90% [non dimmable]

They're bulbs not downlights.

rscole86

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#1650358 13-Oct-2016 13:05

Because I am lazy, did you read this already?

Ragnor

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#1650370 13-Oct-2016 13:24

rscole86:

Because I am lazy, did you read this already?

Thanks, hadn't seen that thread only older ones.

FineWine

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#1650376 13-Oct-2016 13:32

timmmay:

FineWine:

Consumer Mag test:

Panasonic LDAHV8L27-H2 $23.99 (Countdown) Consumer score 95% [non dimmable]

Philips 8W E27 220-240V $18.75 (NewWorld) Consumer score 90% [non dimmable]

They're bulbs not downlights.

oops my bad

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

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blackjack17

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#1650393 13-Oct-2016 14:00

We have these (or something very similar)

http://www.lightingdirect.co.nz/shop/Downlight+Lights/LED+Downlights/LEDlux+LORIO+ROUND+DOWNLIGHT+KIT+BRUSHED+CHR0ME/x_sku/14083.html

Works well with a dimmer

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mattwnz

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#1650400 13-Oct-2016 14:08

Halcyon do a whole range of LED downlights, and have retrofit ones. They are more used by professionals who specify lights on projects, but are sold by retailers and electrical wholesalers through the country. You will want IC ones, and one which produce a reasonable amount of light eg 1000 lumins. Also 3000k is the light temperature that is a good match with conventional lights, 4000k is used a lot in cheaper lights, but is a very cold light. Also don't mix and match light temperatures as it doesn't look good

wellygary

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#1650470 13-Oct-2016 14:53

What are the cone angle of the R80s that are there now?

What is the ceiling height, 120 degree is OK for 2.4 m but will be a bit wide for anything higher,

Also a R80 100W @240V is probably going to be pushing out well over 1000lm

old3eyes

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#1650475 13-Oct-2016 14:59

We had our place in Tauranga changed from old downlights to modern LED ones. When I get home I'll pull up the quote with the type on. They're a sealed unit.

Regards,

Old3eyes

richms

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#1650481 13-Oct-2016 15:07

4000k is not cold. That would be the 6500k that the cheap nasty ones use are. 4000k is around the middle of the white range which is a little on the warm side 5000k of what you use for video normally

Richard rich.ms

blacksheep1987

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#1650485 13-Oct-2016 15:15

Slightly more expensive but look at Brightgreen D900+ or D700+

I saw these in a few apartments recently and they look great.

http://ecc.co.nz/lighting-architectural/indoor/recessed-downlights/d900

overkill

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#1650523 13-Oct-2016 15:56

Have a look at this brand....

http://www.lpled.co.nz/product/genesis-retro-200/

I've got the smaller 13watt LEDs throughout my house running in series off one CC Driver over the LumenCache platform that is only rated for 16 watts. These light perform great and when tested only consume 7 watts each but have lux level output of a similar specced downlight consuming 13 watts.

Purchased at JARussel - Stewarts Electrical

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blacksheep1987

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#1650527 13-Oct-2016 16:05

Just be careful with some of the cheaper ones. The colour quality drops significantly after a year or so. You might see a purple or pink tint in the LED. If available, ask for the colour SCDM (step Mcadam). Ideally it should be 4 or under.

Also the shallower the fitting the more glare you will see from the LED module.

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