LED lighting

Osem · 19-01-2010, 13:11

We have a fair sized kitchen with wall cabinets on all 4 walls and floor cabinets/worktops on 3. To light the worktops and glass fronted cabinets I've used about a dozen linked slim line T4 fluorescent fittings (either 21w or 13w) wired into two wall switches. I'm wondering about replacing these lights with LED strips of some sort and possibly even replacing the existing ceiling lights (LV halogen spots) with hidden LED lighting on top of the wall units to illuminate the ceiling. I'd be grateful for any tips or advice on so doing e.g. do's/don'ts, styles, types, suppliers etc. What are the main considerations to bear in mind?

Cheers as always.

19-01-2010, 13:16

you can get led bulbs maybe you could just replace them?

---------- Post added at 13:16 ---------- Previous post was at 13:15 ----------

http://www.reuk.co.uk/LED-Spotlights.htm

pabscars · 19-01-2010, 13:41

Also bear in mind the type of light LED,s omit is quite harsh in contrast to normal lights. I've just replaced 4x GU10,s in my kitchen with some LED ones bought from ASDA, and the light is very much like an operating theatre, very clinical and bluish white.

I,m going to stick with it though and just get used to it because the energy they save appeals to me more than the type of light they omit.

Also bear in mind the expense for the higher output LED,s as the ones I bought from ASDA were £5 each and only 1 watt I think, but I paid approx £13 for one from B+Q that was much brighter.

I may have been ripped off I don't know but I would of imagined you would need some pretty powerfull LED's if your planning on illuminating the ceiling as your main light.

In the mean time I,m looking at finding/making some filtering material to stick on the lens to try and warm up the clinical type light a bit.

have fun

altis · 19-01-2010, 13:57

We have some MR16 downlighters in the kitchen and they look really nice. You can get different shades of white but the 'cool' white ones are brightest. There used to be lots of other colours too but these seem to have been retired.

http://www.edison-opto.com.tw/produc...egory=1&cno=12

http://www.rapidonline.com/Electroni.../78803/kw/mr16

Osem · 19-01-2010, 14:08

Thanks so far guys. I've been looking at 'strip' products like these:

http://www.lamps2udirect.com/pages/f...ED-Strip/70343

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=47376

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?moduleno=45981

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?moduleno=383747

I've found similar products (albeit more expensive) with a warmer white output which might be more suitable for the cabinet lighting whilst the normal bright white might be better for the ceiling. Of course I still have to work out whether the latter option is going to be practical/desireable and any thoughts on this aspect would also be welcomed.

Taf · 19-01-2010, 14:57

I use LED lamps for highlighting (and one set is ideal to read by) and really like the "halogen-crisp" effect and clarity they give. Savings on power are IMMENSE too.

I haven't found any powerful enough to light a room from a ceiling positon yet, but a Welsh company just started work on LED wallpaper!!

heero_yuy · 19-01-2010, 15:01

Unfortunatly most of the LED products on offer to the general public at the moment are very low power, usually being made of myriads of tiny cheap LEDs.

Check Here for really powerful strips. I've trialled the 161-8698 warm white unit as a replacement for a 221mm 30w incandescent tube of which I have 11 (dimmable) under and above kitchen cabinets. At 4w input it is brighter than the tubes and a similar colour but at £27+VAT a time and that is without environmental protection,heat dissipator and power supply.

The they're getting there but the price needs to fall. Still technical advances on this front are coming fast and the best units are at least 2x more efficient than those aweful CFLs.

Osem · 19-01-2010, 15:21

Interesting point about the more powerful strips.

Bear in mind the ceiling lighting lighting I'm talking about wouldn't need to light the entire room on its own as we'd also have the cabinet/worktop lights. We currently tend to rely on these most of the time and only use the main ceiling light occasionally. The ceiling lighting would add a nice effect.

Flyboy · 19-01-2010, 17:01

If you are going to use LV Halogens, make sure the bulbs are aluminium backed. The aluminium act s a heat shield and will reduce the effects of the heat on the fittings, making bulb and fitting last a bit longer.

yesman · 19-01-2010, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

We have a fair sized kitchen with wall cabinets on all 4 walls and floor cabinets/worktops on 3. To light the worktops and glass fronted cabinets I've used about a dozen linked slim line T4 fluorescent fittings (either 21w or 13w) wired into two wall switches. I'm wondering about replacing these lights with LED strips of some sort and possibly even replacing the existing ceiling lights (LV halogen spots) with hidden LED lighting on top of the wall units to illuminate the ceiling. I'd be grateful for any tips or advice on so doing e.g. do's/don'ts, styles, types, suppliers etc. What are the main considerations to bear in mind?

Cheers as always.

This should keep you going for a bit....

http://www.sensio.co.uk/lighting_lis...at1=40&cat2=77

You could change your LV to a GU10 model then install GU10 LED Lamps which you can purchase from http://www.theledlightingcompany.co.uk/ , unfortunately that page won't load for me and IE stops working

It's an LED80 GU10 lamp in warm white at 4.6 watts each

They are about £14 or £15 pounds each though.

Another favourite with some of my customers is kickspace or plinth LED lighting serparately switched, it looks a bit like a Tardis at night but quite effective if you like that sort of thing.

Good Luck