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Lightbulb

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#268635 29-Mar-2020 18:00
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I'm spending some of the downtime planning the lighting for a new single storey home.

 

The family room / kitchen area will have a raked ceiling.  We're having mainly downlights with pendant lights over the kitchen island and eating area.

 

The problem we're having is finding suitable downlights.  Requirements are:

 

- smart lighting, good reliable brand / reputation.  

 

- white light only - but with ability to dim and change colour temperature

 

- ideally able to fit under the insulation without introducing any gaps

 

- small profile / cutout

 

Have looked at the Philips Hue Aphelion, but the cut-out, at 125mm, is quite big.  Lifx don't appear to meet the insulation requirement above.

 

I realise that we may have to compromise somewhere, but unsure exactly what is out there.  So any help / advice appreciated.


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shk292
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  #2449746 29-Mar-2020 21:08
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I bought some LED downlights from Switch lighting via an electrical supplier, about 5 years ago.  They've been very good, and there is a good range of sizes etc available.  Worth checking out their website: https://www.switch-lighting.co.nz/products/

 

 




Dingbatt
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  #2449749 29-Mar-2020 21:11
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I have the Aphelion lights in three rooms of our house, but they were retrofitted.

 

If I was building new I would try and keep the lights dumb and the wiring smart. The reason being that I am reliant on Philips maintaining the Hue system for its operation. They have already ‘retired’ their older hubs.

 

The bulbs can be controlled using Openhab or similar but probably isn’t as resilient as purpose designed system.

 

I also wonder what I will do if we sell our house. Not sure if the light automation would be a plus or minus for the new owner. For that reason I have all the original light switches still in use but locked on. The Aphelions can be swapped out for standard Philips LEDs.





“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996


pipe60
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  #2450319 30-Mar-2020 22:07
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Superlux is one option

 

https://superlux.co.nz/product-search/?category=Downlights/Recessed

 

When the electrical wholesalers reopen call in and have a look at there range.

 

Could also consider using LED strip lighting


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