Topic: Budget LED downlights

Re: Budget LED downlights 

Beware, I purchased some Led lamps from bunnings approx 5 months ago, they have now started to fail, they are used approx 8 hrs per day. They are marked 240 volt AC, but looking at the manufacture web site in china, they are actually 220 Volt AC, so are in fact underrated for our voltage 230 AC +- 5%.
I took them back and swapped for others, see if I have to keep repeating this every 5 months or so.

Make sure the LED drivers are rated to 265 Vac if you want them to last 10 years or more.

Re: Budget LED downlights 

Thanks Mike, that is interesting to know. I buy a lot from Bunnings. Can I ask what you paid per light (fitting+transformer)?

The drivers that came with my lights are rated 85/250 or 90/260.

Re: Budget LED downlights 

hmm I couldnt seem to get these lights as cheap as you Nick. They must have gone up in price. They are listed in British pounds even on the Australian site so maybe the NZ dollar has dropped a bit since February. They seem to be about $14.20 AUD including shipping each which is $18.40NZ. This is the exact same light and supplier as yours. Still alot better than the others on here and a bargin when compaired to the NZ ones at over $100 each from the shops. I have ordered 30 which has ended up costing me $375....looks like you got in at the right time ;-)

Re: Budget LED downlights 

ok not having much luck with the numbers on my keyboard lately - I ordered 20 for $375. (not 30)

Re: Budget LED downlights 

I noticed quite a bit of price discrepancy with these lights on ebay, that is the same things listed at different prices even by the same vendor. I assume that its hard for the vendors to keep track, especially the big ones with many listings. Maybe they just list items based on what the selling price is that week, regardless of what older listings are on there for.

But like you say, still a pretty good price when compared to NZ retail :) I hope they do the job well for you. Perhaps you can list any 'issues' that you have with the lights on this thread, as I will, for any other Kiwi DIYers out there.

Re: Budget LED downlights 

How did your install go Nick? My lights have shipped and are expected to arrive on Tuesday.

Re: Budget LED downlights 

Fine thanks. All lights were tested before install as I wrote above. They barely get warm :)
The sparky checked my wiring and left the install to me. I had previously cut the holes (89mm) and run new cable and installed all the led drivers, so it was a simple matter of plugging each driver into each light and pushing them into place.

As I also wrote above, if you get different type drivers in your delivery try and use like ones together in the same room. We have used 8 downlights in the new kitchen and they all come on with the same (microseconds) delay. Much better than the CFL downlights I have upstairs (another cheap import), which take up to two mins to come to full brightness.

Result is very nice clean light, super modern look. As long as the lifespan is good then very pleased with this purchase.

Re: Budget LED downlights 

I installed 4 of these lights this weekend. They are definitely not warm white, more like neutral white, not quite daylight/cold white though.
Also probably not 700 lm comparing to the 50 W halogens beside them which hadn't yet been replaced. Much narrower beam too with quite a visible spot, as opposed to the halogens which light much more of the room. I took a photo, but it doesn't really show. Reasonable value though at $18 each including postage. Wouldn't use in a new house though.

Re: Budget LED downlights 

I have installed four in the spare bedroom and you are right they don't replace the halogen in brightness but offer enough light to be comfortable. We will add a lamp to offer additional light if needed.

I am about to install 8 in the lounge that I am converting into the master bedroom. it 3.4 x 5.3m
we will have bedside lamps for reading etc.