I am really struggling to figure out how many spotlights I will need for my living room.
I will be installing 240v mains downlights (50w)
Room size is 3.37m x 4.50m. Height is low at 2.40m.
Does anyone know how many will be best and in what configuration?
Do you really mean spotlights?
You are going to get a big electric bill, or have very patch lighting. Or both.
Bill
Why?
Downlights are not usually good way to light large areas in the first place...
and mains halogens are vastly inferior to low voltage halogen:
The low ceiling height is a problem, since you could need as many as 16 to get even lighting in a room that size. 800W of lighting seems a little excessive (not to mention expensive to run, and 'kin hot in summer). Lower power bulbs would give a better light quality with a low ceiling height (say 20W). Using light walls, and wall washer fittings at the edges will make better use of reflected light and will tend to even out the very "bottom bright" effect that down lighters can cause.
Note also that the MR16 form factor lamps are one area where LEDs can perform as well as they halogens - where a Cree 9W (3 LED) will produce slightly more light than a 50W LV halogen.
Wall washers, lamps with the widest beam width you can find. Supplementary concealed lighting such as FL tubes providing uplighting to a white ceiling etc can reduce the number of downlights needed.
(snipped)
John's erudite reply greatly reinforces my rather bald one. I'm pleased.
Bill
Bill Wright wrote in news:l1tk8l$4ns$1 @speranza.aioe.org:
Perhaps compare with Halers or JCC LED Downlights - 8 watts. I have them at
1metre spacing and I am absolutely delighted - especially with the 7year warranty.
John, a few days ago you mentioned LED GU10 lamps from Lidl.
Iv 'e tried a couple of stores and there are no light bulbs at all.
Are you sure it was Lidl?
Definitely. I think ours (Reading South) still had some in, and oddly seemed to be promoting them on the "coming next" poster outside.
I mentioned Cree LR16 form factor bulbs - but did not suggest a source...
Must be another poster you are thinking off.
The one I tried was similar to:
used in a track light. The (measured with a meter) light output onto a worktop was slightly better than the (admittedly old) GZ10 50W dichroic halogen it replaced.
(thought I would see how well one lasted before getting several!)
Wrong John, I've found the post and it was you!
I'll keep looking out for them.
Can you get energy saving gu10 lights (not LEDs) that light up immediately and not take ages to get to full brightness?
The only ones that will give instant on are either the traditional tungsten, or LED versions. You can get decent LED ones now that give out enough light to be useful.
Do they last more than a few week's use now?
In my limited experience, yes. I swapped out a GZ10 LV 50W halogen spot for a 9W 3 Cree LED version about a year ago, and its still working. Light output (measured with a lux meter) is actually slightly up on the halogen.
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