Topic: Downlights/insulation

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Hey Janey, I haven't fitted any lights yet - the gib is currently being put up so still a couple of months away (after plastering and painting). I can't wait to see how all these lights perform.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

When you have them installed can you post on here and let us know what they are like. Thanks

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Hi Janey, switch have a fixed trim that they make to suit their 13W downlighting that is designed to cover those large holes. You can insulate over the light.. Sealed hole with no hole in insulation...

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Has any one else used the brightgreen downlights. Found at
http://www.brightgreen.net.au/

They seem to be rated highly with the 16W single LED downlight producing over 1000 lumens. Have just bought 3 and plan to have them installed this week.
Also my understanding is that although there is much less of a fire risk, if you cover these lights you are likely to shorten their life expectancy.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Hi nunnbetta,
Lets know how these go. Can I ask why you are not supporting a NZ company?
Is freight adding much to the cost? And what is the cost of these units?

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Ecowarrior: are you in any way associated with Switch?

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Seeker, I am a big fan of what these guys are doing. I have used their product and consider it to be very good. And it's made in New Zealand!!

Re: Downlights/insulation 

I am always keen to support the NZ industry but will not compromise on quality/efficiency. At the present time my research suggested the 16W Brightgreen downlights were the most efficient and imho most attractive LED downlights. Have just had them installed and they are great. Chose the cool white light for the kitchen area and it is like having skylights in the ceiling in the middle of the day. Also look great!
Cost approx NZ$220 each (incl shipping) +GST. Happy to be corrected if there is an equivalent product from NZ. I understand LEDstuff may be getting some new downlights in for August

Re: Downlights/insulation 

The Brightgreen D900 unit looks good, in terms of specs in fact it almost seems to be a carbon copy of the Switch 13w unit. The Switch product achieves 900l from a 13w bulb, while the Brightgreen achieves the same from 16w... the latter though has a very high CRi (not too sure what Switch is but generally all LEDs are 80% or better). Swings and roundabouts really but I would definitely say yes, there is an equivalent in NZ. They even seem to cost the same (13w Switch is around $230 for light, driver and trim incl.gst) and as I have a few myself, I can definitely attest to the build quality of the Switch unit. The more the merrier and the more competition there is among the higher quality products the better it is for us as consumers.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

BTW - has anyone any experience with Ecolume LEDs?
http://www.ecolumelighting.com/products/

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Thanks skamp
Yes I had seen this one but I did not want a lot of aluminium circles in the ceiling (purely aesthetics) and unfortunately it does not come in any other colour. In the end therefore I used the D1000 which has over 1000L and is very attractive. No doubt this is a moving playing field and as I mentioned when I spoke to Ledstuff they were expecting some new units this month.
No-one has commented on my question of covering these lights with insulation which had been suggested previously. (returning to the original thread)

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Hi nunnbetta, Switch do come with a white trim option (that's what I have).. perhaps they should/could be a little clearer with their information! As for insulation over the LEDs I have also heard that covering them will shorten their lifespan, but that info was only from what I would only describe as unreliable sources, and ones that were unable to provide any actual evidence of their claims (other than to tar LEDs with the same well known downsides of halogens and incandescents). What I do know is that all of the LEDs I have tested ran quite cool and I was able to grab and hold them quite comfortably, even after they had been running for quite some time. Switch units can be covered (with 20mm clearance above) and still comply with NZECP-54, so I would suggest checking the information that came with your LEDs against the regs:

http://www.energysafety.govt.nz/upload/33478/ecp_54_1.pdf

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Thanks skamp,
Very useful info.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

hi Nunnbetta, check out the pdf file on this page at Switch Lighting
http://www.switch-lighting.co.nz/13w-recessed-downlight/
they spec there fixed trim as being able to be insulated over.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Yes, the same specs are listed with the Brightgreen gear. The constant requirement however is that there is a 20mm clearance above the LAD as mentioned by skamp. Certainly a vast improvement over the halogens etc.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Janey - my lights are finally fitted off and powered up. All I can say is the switch lighting 12W downlights are very bright. It is hard to compare to how standard 50W halogens would look, but I have 3 down my 10m hallway and there is no shortage of light.

If you had 2 of these over your kitchen bench I think you would find you have plenty of light.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Have you guys tried the Halers EVOLED available from all Electrical wholesalers in NZ, BEST VALUE ON THE MARKET.
Can be covered with batts, IC rated (new down light standard)
7 year warranty
3000k and 4000k lamps
6 different colour bezels
Convert plate when replacing old down lights
www.halers.com

Re: Downlights/insulation 

The information I have on those Halers units puts them at 7.9w, 330lm (3000) on a 34 degree beam (please correct me if I'm wrong). One of the reasons we went with Switch in our living areas is that they do a 13w/960lm model with a 60 degree beam - meaning we only needed 10 fixtures to cover two living areas, dining, kitchen and study. Yes the units themselves are expensive, but we needed less than half as many as some of the other options to achieve a satisfactory spread and intensity of light. Less units equals a lot less wiring and labour to hook them all up, which saved a lot on the sparky's bill. I'm not saying Halers are an inferior product, but to claim that they're the 'best value on the market' is potentially misleading when you're not giving readers the full picture.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

I tend to agree skamp, the switch product is certainly high output, Horse's for courses, its interesting many of these led importers/manufacture's are however targeting 900 to 1000 lumen output, way over kill for a 50w halogen, when you consider a high quality 50 watt halogen delivers only actual downward lumens of 600 to 700 lumens. Most domestic installs would be supplied with cheap low end halogens delivering less than 500 lumens. Have been advised by Halers importer that in April 2012 the EVOLED will be fitted with the new Philips Rebel ES chip 30% increase and with 60deg lens.Also the new down lights standards the requirement to cover fixtures with insulation will be of consideration.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Sounds good, certainly LED tech is getting better all the time and those new Philips chips sound great.

I've been into many a new build where the ceilings are riddled with dozens of cheap halogens - people are getting royally screwed - paying for both terrible quality lighting and much more on the labour bill than they should.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Do these things come as ceiling buttons, so that there are no recess holes in the ceilings?

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Hi skamp, we have just got test reports back from our lab in the UK re claims made by the brightgreen D900 down light.
To say they have over stated there performance would be an understatement. see attached.

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Hi there

Any update on that April 2012 date for the Philips Rebel ES chip? I haven't been able to find out anything.

Regards
Glenn

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Evoled up dated with Rebel ES chips due to market in NZ May 2012

Re: Downlights/insulation 

Calculate the number of Halers LED Downlights required and wattage here. This is the best way to compare "apples with apples"
www.howmanylights.co.nz