Replacing Halogens with LED - Do I need to change transformer?

SmiTTy on 13/09/2014 - 19:18

Hi Ozbargainers

Im looking to swap out my down lights which are currently halogens. They are the MR16 ones (ie pins).

I've tried to get some advice but confused depending on who I ask. I went to bunnings as well as a lighting shop and they said I can just swap them out with the LED bulbs. But a friend (who has recently switched to LED from halogen downlights) and a relative both said I should swap out the whole transformer. The friend changed from MR16 to GU10 lights.

I currently have one transformer per downlight. I have tried buying a philips (dimmable) LED bulb to plug it straight in and It did seem to work (for the 10 seconds I left it in there).

Is there any real advantage of swapping the whole transformer and is there a real need?
I've read around (these forums) that sometimes you need to swap the transformer because they have a minimum load. But when I asked bunnings/light shop, they didnt even mention this which makes me wonder if its important?

I can post a picture of my transformer if need ..

Thank you

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • No on 13/09/2014 - 19:27

    I have been running on LED's for about 2 months. I did a straight swap of the globe only, the only problem I have had is sometimes the cheap LED's I purchased don't switch on. All the globes I got from Masters / Bunnings have been 100%.

    • SmiTTy on 13/09/2014 - 20:09

      Thanks .. Im keen on doing the same as its its obviously much less work.
      Im wondering if the advice to change out the transformer is because it works out cheaper due to the transformers or something …

  • mycosys on 13/09/2014 - 21:16

    Honestly, it really depends on the transformer and the LED. Some modern switch mode transformers are designed for an inductive load like the coil in a bulb and do not cope well with the capacitive load presented by most LED internal power supplies. Dimmable LEDs should, however, be fine.

    • retiredfeline on 13/09/2014 - 23:27

      An incandscent light bulb is mostly resistive. There isn't much inductance in the coil because there isn't much magnetic material around it.

      • mycosys on 15/09/2014 - 07:48

        yep, and my reply is 100% correct, the 'transformers' are not designed for leading current.

        • retiredfeline on 19/09/2014 - 17:53

          Except there is no significant inductance in a bulb.

  • Amaris on 13/09/2014 - 21:31

    I tried a few LEDs which did not work with the current transformers that I have but then got the Philips LED Master 5.5w LEDs which worked fine.

    These ones are working fine too.
    http://www.lightinthebox.com/philips-mr16-spot-bulbs-led-2-6…

  • SmiTTy on 13/09/2014 - 22:57

    Thanks! so theres no real benefit of switching them across unless the LED's don't actually work with existing transformer?

    I've tried the philips ones and they seem to work fine .. i only tested it but I assume that means it should work without any hassles….

    • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2014 - 04:05

      Philips, and a handful of other brands, apply a 'virtual load' via special circuitry. This allows them to work well enough with otherwise finicky electronic halogen transformers.
      Some brands of MR16 without some form of 'virtual load' tech may still appear to work ok, but will likely have a significantly compromised lifespan, as opposed to just a slight one.

      Are your halogen transformers heavy?
      If so, they are iron-core, not electronic, and while there is an efficiency penalty to be paid relative to new LED-specific electronic ones, most MR16's out in the market now will work just fine with those, so there is a big hassle-factor to be saved in not having to change over your existing transformers.

      Just be aware that while most MR16 LED's sold these days that aren't 12 volt AC-specific, are AC/DC compatible, there are some (intended solely for use with LED-specific transformers) that remain 12 volt DC-only.
      That remains as a potential, but somewhat different, trap, for those looking to use existing halogen transformers with their new LED's.

      • rodericb on 15/09/2014 - 12:55

        Wow, with transformers there certainly is more than meets the eye!

        • [Deactivated] on 15/09/2014 - 14:31

          Substantially more than just the layer of dust on the existing ones in the roof, yes.

        • mrwindow on 19/04/2020 - 15:08

          Sorry to bring up old threads, i'v e just searching through about changing lights over….. this is perhaps one of the most underrated comments i've read. Brilliant!

      • scar4ace on 12/09/2020 - 02:29

        As somene mentioned this is still topical, relevant and beneficial 6 years on!

        I have Halogen MR16 downlights connected to electronic transformers (Focus FOC60, Clipsal 770T12/50) output 12v ac for each of my Halogen GU5.3 MR16 downlights. The transformers are hardwired into the electrical circuitry.

        Can these transformers work with swapping out just the MR16 halogen lamps with a Phillips MR16 GU5.3 LED?

        Or am I better off replacing transformer with LED driver or even directly to GU10 (240V) LED?

        • [Deactivated] on 12/09/2020 - 16:14
          +1

          Time flies, even on OzBargain.

          You shouldn't have any problems with those two and Philips still least likely brand to display compatibility issues with older transformers. Any flickering bodes poorly for longevity of the downlights, you will notice pretty quickly if any issue there.

          Some good reason to maybe go for GU10's in at least a few places, warmer colour temps and wider angle-range on offer + closest to incandescent-quality light now available from smaller LED downlights.

          These expensive relative to those available from Woolies or Bunnings, but you may decide, worth it.

          MR16 4000K 10/24D CRI97

          GU10 2700/3000K 24/36D CRI97

          GU10 2700/3000K/4000K 36D CRI90

          Incandescent lighting on Colour Rendering Index 95+ Most regular decent LED (and fluorescent) lighting including Philips, around 80.
          A higher number for LED equates to better tint/spectrum output from the chips, smoother gradation/fewer spikes and with better filtering, result closer to incandescent lighting. Allowing for some dodgy measurement parameters, variously applied… Still, a noticeable difference.

          Feel free to post current pricing on all of those, if you do a ring around! :)

          • scar4ace on 13/09/2020 - 15:36
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Thanks mate , much appreciated. Will advise, might get some bunnings one first, chuck em in the laundry room make sure that they work on my transformers before looking into the dearer ones

  • Thypeople on 12/09/2020 - 21:41
    +1

    SAL ECOGEM 10W LED Dimmable Tri Colour Downlight White https://g.co/kgs/FokYQA

    Best downlights getting around. Very reliable, dimmable with most digital or University dimmer switch and you Can select the colour for different rooms.

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