A message from Brazil (I need to know the size halogen downlighters!)

[rob s.]

Hi,

I´m in Brazil on holiday....things are very cheap but one thing that has caught my eye is the low cost for those halogen(?) downlighters (you kno...the bog standard ones that everyone has in the uk). Here, they work out at about 60p! (last time I looked in woolies they were about 5 quid each!). I need quite a few so it might be worthwhile me buying them...however I dont have the uk physical dimension´s (& they look a little smaller here)...therefore I´d be really grateful if someone could measure the diameter in millimetres for me? I´ll then pop along to the shop with my ruler!

I think all else remains the same...ie they are 12V 50W

I´m in an internet cafe so wont be able to check back here for a couple of days, but any response in the meantime would be warmly received!

Many thanks.

[Lurch]

[..]

[..]

I personally wouldn't bother, you may find they all stop working within a matter of weeks. Woolies probably isn't the ideal place to buy them anyway, overpriced lesser quality. Try shopping around, you'll probably be able o find a supplier nearer to your 'bargain' price. Cheap european counterfits can be dangerous unless you know exactly what you're buying, it doesn't sound like you do. Quite a few counterfits have made it into the UK in the form of lamps, fittings, plugs etc that haven't been manufactured to British Safety Standards.

SJW A.C.S. Ltd.

[ARWadsworth]

I did not know that Brazil was in Europe.

-- Adam

adamwadsworth@(REMOVETHIS)blueyonder.co.uk

[David Hemmings]

Heh, i thought he meant Brazil, South America, not Brazil, Europe....live and learn ;)

[Lurch]

Foreign, Europe, it's all the bloody same! I'm ill, that's my excuse. And I never did much at school, probably why I became a sparky, long as I can find my way to CEF, Eddys and Senate that'll do me! Sorry everyone, won't happen again!!! ;-)

SJW A.C.S. Ltd.

[N. Thornton]

Just cut your holes to fit the lights, whatever size they are.

[BigWallop]

My thoughts too. No matter what size of fittings just cut the holes in your ceiling to suit them. If they are still 12v 50w, then you'll still be able to get the lamps for them here. Just remember that the UK lamps are set with two rigid pins moulded into the lamp as connectors and not two thin pieces of wire folded down the sides of the glass envelope.

[The Natural Philosopher]

They are about 50p here as well, without bulb or transformer...

[Abdullah Eyles]

I think the OP was talking about just the bulbs - not complete units... (also better tell him our wants from Brazil while he's there...)

About Europe - Turkey is trying to get in, I guess soon it will extend as far as Brazil! wait and see!

[The Natural Philosopher]

well 12v bulbs are not much more thn that here either.

[IMM]

Israel is already in the Eurovision song contest!

[IMM]

Buying £45 worth from the likes of Screwfix will be cheap enough, and branded stuff too. Oh, the lamps are usually 35mm or 50mm in diameter.

[RichardS]

Well, if you're talking about the normal 12v elv halogen bulbs that go into ceiling dowlighters, etc, then the one I have here has the following specification:

38 degree beam (M258) 12V/50W 50mm (MR16)

It's a sealed dichroic bulb.

I can confirm using the specialised equipment known as a ruler that the bulb at it's widest point (ie the bit that the light shoots out of) is 50mm.

I'd check on the screwfix website (or CPC or others) what the UK delivered prices for a joblot would be, though. I have no idea what the percussive shocks delivered by baggage handlers would do to the longevity of the bulbs, or indeed any unusual environmental conditions that might be experienced during the flight. If you get a friendly customs official sniffing through them, make sure they use cotton gloves or a clean handkerchief when inspecting the contents.....

-- Richard Sampson

email me at richard at olifant d-ot co do-t uk

[Abdullah Eyles]

And take a look at the overseas postage rate card next time you go to the PO - compare Israel and Turkey!... Which is nearest to the UK?

[rob s.]

thanks to all (especially to Richard...the 50mm diameter info is bang on the money for what I need!). I should have been clearer- ie I was just talking about the bulb ...& I´m sure as hell I won´t find them for 50p in England!

There, that`s enough about all this diy melarkey -there`s just way too many foxy chicks with the most perfect posteriors I´ve ever seen in my life that I´ve go to go & look at on the beach (even the mingers here are worth referring to screwfix)

Tchau, Robert(O)