Thread: Off Topic-replacing Halogen with LED ,electricians???

Well you are right that there are 2 components in transformer loss. The first the energy used create the magnetising current in the tranformer or "iron" loss and is pretty much constant regardless of load, the 2nd is the energy used relative to the load and are I squared R losses.
So i would think that it would more efficent to run less transformers however with a 50W unit i'd say the magnetising power wouldn't be more than a few watts per unit so im not sure how much you would save.

hi.

i am a apprentice electrician in melbourne. You need to be very carefull if you are going to replace your hallogens with LED as most transformers will not work properly with LED bulbs. Search for led and transformers on Google for more info. Also you MEST use a licenced electrictian as you are dealing with AC voltages that will kill you if you touch the wrong thing or at best may only cause your house to burn down!!!!

Rollypolly, I have already researched the net , and I have identified my transformers as suitable for low loads. They are wound transformers not electronic which are the ones which will not tolerate low loads. But I am sure you are aware of that seeing you are an apprentice electrician.

There is even an entry from LEDCAP.com.au who are manufacturers and installers of LED commercial lighting who recommend my specific transformers for this purpose.

Electrical_Req

If you read my thread I do not propose to touch any 240V wiring, and I have for many years worked with 12v without a single house or car being burned down.
Regards Philip A

We also have ATCO TM50-2 transformers and it is our intent to replace our old halogen bulbs with 6w StarLux LED Downlights from Todae. They offer information on their website with regards to power and cost savings available in opting for Redback and Possum transformers.

Thanks PhilipA for indicating that the ATCO TM50-2 transformers are suitable for low voltage LEDs. My LEDs arrive this week. Fingers crossed they work without any flicker.

Todae indicate that the voltage savings in installing low voltage transformers is roughly $3 per transformer per year so you would need to have a lot of downlights in your house to warrant replacing old transformers with me.

"Replacing normal transformers with possums can save you on average $3 per year per light. So if you have 20 halogens in your house, every year you will save $60 on your energy bill. *Based on an average of 6 hours per day at a cost of 13c/Kwh."

There are a number of higher power led lamps coming out, I would resist putting in 2W ones. I have a number of cree 5W ones around the house that are reasonable, not excellent, and I am waiting for the 10W ones to come down in price. Another year or so should do it...

Meanwhile there are some good 6W ones available, such as these...

4 X MR16 12V 6W LED Cool White Downlight 400lumens!!! - eBay, Down Lights, Lighting, Fans, Home. (end time 16-Nov-10 10:28:45 AEDST)

Originally Posted by bee utey

There are a number of higher power led lamps coming out, I would resist putting in 2W ones. I have a number of cree 5W ones around the house that are reasonable, not excellent, and I am waiting for the 10W ones to come down in price. Another year or so should do it...

That's it in a nutshell. The output of the LED lighst currently available for anything resembling a reasonable price (which you would want, given you have so many of the things) will be disappointing as compared to your current halogens.

Even 10W will only bring it to within the realms of useful, in my opinion.

I'd be waiting a while before considering such a move.

I was in electrical wholesale for 25 years and got out about a year ago but at that time the lighting suppliers that were fair dinkum told us not to bother with LED yet as it wasn't good enough. There was still a lot of development to be done to make them worthwhile. Like I say, that opinion is about a year old but it is worth keeping in mind. Try one of two before committing.

I have a couple of 3W ones now that are just satisfactory.

Earlier I bought some 6W ones which burnt out their rectifiers very quickly, so the quality was /is variable. I was able to save one by dismantling it and replacing the rectifier with a resistor to make it DC only and use only for camping.

I think that just now there are some becoming available that are equivalent to a 20watt Halogen at a reasonable price and made in Taiwan. They are currently on ebay and I may but some in the next couple of months.
PS the most recent ones have lasted well so far via the iron core transformers and no discernable flickering .
Regards Philip A