Hi all,A question in a similar area to Boicey's a few mintues ago....I've just had a fun hour trying to figure out how to easily remove a GU 10 halogen downlighter from our kitchen ceiling after having bought some GU10 CFLs. One set of needle nosed pliers and a smashed up bulb later, I've realised that they're 'MR16 GU 5.3 fittings' with Osram Decostars in them.These seem to be low voltage. This surprised me a bit; I had thought that only mains voltage lamps were dimmable and that these were 'mains voltage'. I am obviously not an electrican :)Anyway, I'd like to replace them with LEDs. A lot of LED MR16s say that they're 'a direct replacement for my old inefficient bulbs'. Then, in the small print, they mention LED drivers versus LV transformers. Given that I didn't install the original halogens ... can I assume that each one currently has it's own transformer ? - do LV halogens have to have transformers ? I assume so but would like to be sure.I was thinking of simply swapping them with some LED MR16 bulbs just in case it works OK. Given John R's reply to the Econic 3w question, I'm just wondering if it's even worth bothering as it'll cost around £30 for the room I want to experiment with and I don't want to have to install either transformers or drivers. Worth a shot ?Thanks in advance,Keith, who previous struggled remembering which fittings were BC, SBC, ES or SES, never mind this new fangled halogen nonsense :)

Sorry to reply to my own post but I've just spotted some info on the kulekat website that seems to imply (a) the my current set up must use transformers and (b) that keeping one LV halogen in the circuit should overcome the need for LED drivers.Think I'm going to give that a try.I apologise if it's obvious that LV Halogens require a transformer. Up until 4 hours ago I thought I had mains voltage lighting !Cheers,Keith

LV Halogens MR16 to LEDs ?

Oct 03, 2009 22 Replies

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KD 16 years ago

0.1uF capacitor in series with 1 ohm resistor, fitted to the LV feed. It'll work best near LED or transformer, try both to find out which.

Thanks NT, You may have realised by now that me and electrics don't really do together too well. So, when capacitors and resistors get mentioned my eyes glaze over. Your advice is much appreciated but it's going beyond the level of simplicity I was naively trying to achieve. Would it make a difference if I swapped out the original transformers for some of the 12V DV drivers instead ? I don't really fancy rigging up the arrangement you mentioned myself - I'm sure I'd end up doing something else odd :)

Cheers, Keith

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NT 16 years ago

Should do. But a 0.1uF capacitor and a 1 ohm resistor is far simpler, and you can get them at any electronic component supplier, or any shop that does repairs.

LV red wire -----resistor----capacitor----LV black wire.

Simple as that.

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KD 16 years ago

Should do. But a 0.1uF capacitor and a 1 ohm resistor is far simpler, and you can get them at any electronic component supplier, or any shop that does repairs.

LV red wire -----resistor----capacitor----LV black wire.

Simple as that.

Hi again NT, I suppose an "I told you so" might be in order as I didn't follow your instructions ... I've just replaced the AC 12V transformers with 12V DC 'drivers'. The radio reception is still knackered. I'm going to approach the manufacturer about this now .... I could try your suggestion but it'll be while before I get round to it. Is it likely to have more success than the drivers ? Is there something about LED technology that can cause this interference regardless of the power supply ? It even takes out a DAB radio on the other side of the house and downstairs !

Ho hum, Cheers, Keith

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