12v downlighters

Put at least 1, if not 2, over the bath, especially if you have shower with a curtain otherwise you'll be showering in the dark.

My bathroom is about 6' x 8' and 6 x 35W still leave a couple of dark spots.

In article , Smokeyone writes

It'll look like Blackpool. I have 3 x 20w in my 2m sq. bathroom and that is more than enough.

That sounds like too many for the bathroom, except your shower may be dark (but don't know whether it's in a solid alcove with opaque door or has 3 clear glass sides, which would make a difference... Have you seen the combined ceiling extractor/lights you can get from eg screwfix.com? Might be worth considering.

David

one of the least energy inefficient lighting methods going. The fashion will pass.

I just did 4 x 35W 12V dichroic downlights in a 7x5' shower room. Seems to be about right, in that you get even coverage of the floor. I did put one directly over the shower however (IP66 rated of course!)

My titchy 7' x 6' bathroom is nicely served by six 12V 50W dichroic downlighters in addition to a 100W tungsten "globe" conventional lamp.

Frank Erskine OETKBC

Thanks everyone for their advice. Seems like I have got it about right but I think I will test it out first before installing properly.

Smokeyone

Domestic lighting is rarely about efficiency, and never has been. If it were, we'd have used fluorescent tubes everywhere for years.

Efficiency is an issue, if not the issue. We are seeing increasing use of fluorescent CFLs now, though it would be good to see a lot more in use. Fl lights were common in homes at one time, but there were problems with them, thus they were dropped. CFLs solve a lot of those problems, if not all. Once CFLs genuinely reach the same standards as filament lights I'm sure they will become widespread. They have a way to go still.

NT

Hello

I am looking for inspiraion on installing 12v downlighters in a tiny loo (6'by3') and bathroom (6' by 6'). The bathroom will just have a sink & shower. What does everyone think of installing 2 x 35w in the loo and 5 x 35w in the bathroom. Was thinking of not putting a light over the shower but instead installing the ceiling extractor fan there. Any thoughts please.

Thanks

Smokeyone

PS In the loo the ceiling joists are on the centreline lengthways so the downlights would have to be installed side by side in the 3 feet width.....

You can install one of those combined vent and LV light unit from Screwfix over the shower position. Have 6 downlighters in the bathroom in 2 rows of 3.

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thoughts

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one of the least energy inefficient lighting methods going. The fashion will pass.[/quote:b4960dd78b]

The main voltage downlighters are good. I think they are more efficient with not having a hot transformer giving off heat.

If you fit

Chris

You mean it's the most efficient?

The 12V systems are typically better than the mains ones. The modern switched mode PSUs that are used in place of traditional transformers are quite efficient and produce little heat. The LV bulbs also give out more visible light for a given wattage that the mains equivalent (as well as having a better colour temperature).

those should be avoided. They bulbs are costly, and you typically use several, theyre shorter lived, more fragile, and lower efficiency as well.

NT

and you forgot the beam optics is bad because the filament is bigger.

I use fluorescent lighting exclusively and have done for years.

Christian.