Undercabinet fluorescents

Nov 27, 2008 47 Replies

Anyone recommend a brand/supplier for under cupboard fluorescent lights for a kitchen?



I'm tired of the short lifetime and expense of tubular filament lamps, and I suppose there's (debateably) an energy saving argument. Plus, one of the existing lamps has melted its diffuser, so needs replacing anyway.



What bout this guy;



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I put some of these in about two weeks ago, so far very pleased, no flicker instant on. But as for long term reliability it's a bit soon to comment!

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but... beware of 4000k tubes dont overlook the option of using a single full length T8 tube on dimmable ballast

NT

This is an expensive solution, but I'm looking at the DimSlim and SlimLite ranges from Mr Resistor:

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In article , Peter Andrews writes

like the colour temperature in particular. Tube life wasn't brilliant though.

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I used a 5' standard fitting from Wickes, £10.

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I got some of the TLC ones a few years ago. They still work - no tubes have needed replacement. (Does that say something about how much time we spend cooking?) Nice colour. No flicker. Instant start at close to full brightness.

Rod coughed up some electrons that declared:

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While we're on the subject, has anyone got experience of GX53 CFL lamps? The fittings look fairly neat, but how long do they last compared to a strip?

Cheers

Tim

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>> no, but...

Not an option, given the design of the kitchen, I'm afraid. And dimming is not required.

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>> I used a 5' standard fitting from Wickes, £10.

Do they still work after having been sawn into 3 or 4 pieces to fit?

:o)

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We have LED Rope Lights behind the pelmet on our cupboards. There are loads of places sell them. Just White LED's in clear tube held with round cable clips. Looks really good and the running costs are low.

Like these

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but we got cheaper ones from Bite and Chew.

Only an moron would try to debate the energy savings flourescents give over incadesants, at a base level its 75% for a warm white flourescent which is what a kitchen needs. You can go to 110 LPW. Stick with a name brand units and warm white bulbs.

And don't make a mess with the flour! :-)

Uh huh, so you don't know what you're talking about then, eh?

But I will debate the appropriateness of "warm white". Earlier in this thread I said that the TLC slim linkables were good - and I wrote that partly because they have a colour temperature of (IIRC) 3400. IMHO, standard warm white (2700) is horrible for cooking.

And can I please carry on using tubes rather than "bulbs"?

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you can't usually see underneath the cupboards why not make up your own? You buy the correct length tubes, terry clips to hold them, moulded end caps with leads, and ballasts. Go for electronic ballasts and decent colour tubes to match the other lighting. They are easily concealed behind a plinth or whatever.

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Extruded tubular glass mineral envelopes = tubes (fluorescent) Blown glass pear envelopes = bulbs (GLS) Tube cut heat sealed glass gas filled envelopes = small halogen lamps

Get it right, everyone. Get it right. :-) lol

Since you've snipped the context you need reminding that incandescent strip lights are about the least efficient of lamps ever as well as having a poor life.

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When a full length T8 tube is used I can assure you it is :) Many kitchens need 2, one under each set of cupboards.

NT

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