18"- 24" Diameter Round Flourescent tube lamp ("Oyster lamps"?)

[JethroUK©]

I want to get rid of halogen spot lighting in my kitchen

1/ It consumes about 5,000,000 gygawatts per second

2/ It's already blown up whole fuse box once and i can still smell burning every time they're on

3/ I still cant see my hand in front of my face

= they're s**te

I decided to go back to flo tubes and fancied some round ones

I'd need them about 18-24" diameter - nice looking diffusers (just plain white would be fine) - upto 100 watts (i'll need 3 in total)

Anyone seen such a thing?

I think they might be called 'oyster lights' - but the only ones i've seen have been either £100 ish and/or only very small (12" x 40 watt)

[Andrew Gabriel]

Here are a few circular fittings, but maybe too utilitarian for you:

Note that they use 2D lamps. The 22/32/40/60W circular tubes really belong to the previous generation of fluorescent tubes, aren't as efficient as current generation tubes, don't have much selection of colour temperatures available, and thus don't tend to be used in new designs very much.

Kitchens are often ideal for using cheap fittings hidden from view. Very effective lighting can be achieved by putting fluorescent fittings on tops of wall cupboards, which light the room by bouncing the light off a brilliant white painted ceiling. You can supplement this with under cupboard lighting for task lighting on worktops. These lights are then all invisible. Central ceiling lights are useless in most kitchens, as you will always end up working in your shadow - a number of the kitchens I've fitted have no ceiling lights because of this.

The other option is to make your own. I have bought a number of fittings which were simply fitted with a cheap lampholder for a filament lamp, and fitted 2D fluorescent and gear inside for a much more efficient light. e.g.

[Dhropta Guli]

B&Q and Argos sell these for around £35. I've just replaced a 40 year old one with a new one in the kitchen 40w tube, equiv to 240w normal bulbs. Nice bright shadow-free light. Wouldn't have anything else in the kitchen as the main light.

Bob

[JethroUK©]

Any links?

[Dhropta Guli]

|cat_12107022|Lighting|12107300/c_2/2|cat_12107300|Ceiling+lights|12107303/Trail/searchtext%3ELIGHTING.htm

[JethroUK©]

|cat_12107022|Lighting|12107300/c_2/2|cat_12107300|Ceiling+lights|12107303/Trail/searchtext%3ELIGHTING.htm cheers - thats what i'm getting

[JethroUK©]

|cat_12107022|Lighting|12107300/c_2/2|cat_12107300|Ceiling+lights|12107303/Trail/searchtext%3ELIGHTING.htm>

Quick update for anyone who finds this thread - ended up buying 60 watt version

bit fiddly to fit but i'd do it again tomorow - the nett result is far better than my expectations

this 60 watt tube light has replaced a 6 (yes six) x 50 watt halogen spot light cluster (= 300 watts)

the single 60 watt tube totally floods that whole area of the kitchen and is quite easily 2 to 3 times brighter than the whole lot of them

I'll give it 10/10 for light output, 10/10 for economy, 10/10 for not burning my house down

As you might imagine - i'm well chuffed and i'm looking to go back to flourescent tubes wherever i can now

[PeterC]

How big is your kitchen? I like distributed light (globular shade on a CFL for instance) and was thinking of putting 4 CFLs in the kitchen, but this would be easier. The 40W version might well be adequate for 2.5mx2.9m.

Thanks for the feedback.

[JethroUK©]

>

It's not so much the size that's problem with my kitchen - it's been extended - the old kitchen area is very dark (now 6+ mtrs from nearest window) and it needs lighting even during dusk

the replacement 60 watt flo lights it up like *daylight* (even during day) - some might even find it too bright at night (it's certainly not mood lighting) - but i love it - makes the remaining halogen spot lights look pathetic

i'm quite confident for 90% of circumstances, most people would be delighted with 40 watt version

[PeterC]

That's very good - I might go for the 40W, then. I'd toyed with the idea of fitting 4 CFL fittings of some sort, but if the walls are pale then the light from a large, central fitting should be good. Thanks.