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I need to replace nine of these downlighters. They're 12v, I presume there's a transformer buried up in the ceiling somewhere. Ideally LED I guess.
I'm getting a bit confused by what I'm looking for, I just want something that I can connect to the chocolate block connector and that will sit flush in the hole (which I presume is a standard size).
I had the same setup, with a transformer per lamp. I pulled them all out and replaced with GU10s.
Yeah, I'm not messing around trying to find the transformer(s), I just want to replace the lamps
Based on the frighteningly crispy mess I pulled out of our ceiling do yourself a massive favour and rip out the 12v transformers and simply fit 240v GU10 LEDs.
Bigger choice and less chance that your house will burn down due to the transformers overheating.
Double post
I appreciate that 240v had it's advantages, but 'simply' fitting 240v LEDs will involve taking up the floor in the bathroom (and the lino, and the boarding under the lino) and bedroom (and the carpet and the underlay and the furniture) in the rooms above. It's not happening.
You will need to find the transformer if you want to go to LED as you need to confirm the transformer is capable of driving an LED bulb (not all of them are), Like most people have said GU10's are a better replacement - chances are the other side of that chocolate block will go to the transformer and the tails from that will go to some other connecter - just connect the GU10 light in there.
Lights can be had from Screwfix - https://www.screwfix.com/p/saxby-vega-round-led-micro-downlights-matt-white-12w-240lm-3-pack/669re , just depends on the diameter of the existing hole you have.
Non LED Driver - https://www.screwfix.com/p/aurora-11-4v-electronic-selv-lighting-transformer-20-60w-va/5130j#product_additional_details_container
LED Driver - https://www.screwfix.com/p/aurora-12v-constant-voltage-led-driver-16w/2107t
You will need to find the transformer if you want to go to LED as you need to confirm the transformer is capable of driving an LED bulb (not all of them are),
Ah, okay, looks like LEDs are out then.
Yeah, I'm not messing around trying to find the transformer(s)
Have you actually tried? In my case there was no messing around required, they were just sitting on the plasterboard, and when I pulled the wire (gently) they came out though the hole. Disconnect transformer, connect GU10, job done.
Have you actually tried? In my case there was no messing around required, they were just sitting on the plasterboard, and when I pulled the wire (gently) they came out though the hole. Disconnect transformer, connect GU10, job done.
To be fair, no, I haven't, I only pulled the cable out as far as the chocolate block so it dangled out of the way enough to paint the ceiling. If it might be that easy, I'll have another look. Although, from experience, nothing is easy in this house...
If that’s an MR16 lamp then it’s the same physical size as a GU10 so will fit in to any new down light you buy, just remove the new lamp holder and put the MR16 in. Technically the down lights should be fire rated if you’ve got rooms above the ceiling but if you are diying it it’s up to you what you do. And the holes in the ceiling aren’t a standard size so measure one as best you can and get fittings as close as possible, a few millimetres either way usually doesn’t cause too many issues
To be fair, no, I haven't, I only pulled the cable out as far as the chocolate block so it dangled out of the way enough to paint the ceiling
they're rarely fixed, and they're *usually* actually fitted from below and pushed up into the hole.
Much better to do the job properly, remove the (willl fail at some point anyway) transformers and the hot running halogens with GU10 LEDs.
If it really comes to it, then it's not as big a job as you'd first think to cut some access holes in a plasterboard ceiling if you really need to. Do it with a decent holesaw and you've got the plug to put back in the hole (screw a piece of wood across behind, fix to that, fill and paint). I can't find it right now but I'm sure I've seen something that cuts a tapered hole and you buy plugs that fit.
they're rarely fixed, and they're *usually* actually fitted from below and pushed up into the hole.
Good to know, ta
If it really comes to it, then it's not as big a job as you'd first think to cut some access holes in a plasterboard ceiling if you really need to.
Given the current state of my neck after a day painting that ceiling, I ain't painting it again...
Have you actually tried? In my case there was no messing around required, they were just sitting on the plasterboard, and when I pulled the wire (gently) they came out though the hole. Disconnect transformer, connect GU10, job done.
All of this. I'd put money on there being a single transformer per light that was shoved up through the hole as previously mentioned.
When I took my old transformers out some had the casings melted because of the heat and wire insulation was burned. God only knows how that didn't turn into something very bad.
I will never have 12 volt transformers in the house again.
(It was a professional installation as well)
Yeah see if the transformer pulls out of the hole behind the 12V down lighter. I swapped 6 including cutting slightly larger diameter holes (one hole saw inside another, the smaller acting as a guide in the existing hole) and it took me around 90 mins and I’m crap at DIY. The replacements have a separate terminal block that’s a doddle to wire in, then the lamp unit itself just plugs in.