Kitchen and Garage Lighting

[MacB]

Anyone know much about this sort of stuff? - we recently had a new light in the kitchen which is a triple spot using GU10 50W bulbs and is rather underwhelming. I'm also wanting to get some new lights fitted in the garage. So I was hoping to choose something better and maybe have the kitchen one replaced at the same time.

So far I'm thinking fluoro tubes, doubles at 58w, one for kitchen and two for garage, but I'm struggling to make head nor tail of online info. The garage lights would be independently switched so that you can just put one on at times. I tinker a fair bit in the garage and my eyesight certainly isn't improving with age so bright is good.

Oh and I don't want built in/flush types external mounting is preferred...any advice warmly welcomed....that last bit doesn't apply to 3BM of course

 

[User482]

I'm surprised that you find 150W of halogen insifficient - maybe try bulbs with a wider beam angle? You can also get LEDs in the same fittings that consume around 6W (which is what I use), but I'd be reluctant to recommend them if you're finding lighting insufficient.

As for the garage, yes, go for a fluoro strip. Try to get a T5 or T8 fitting as they're more energy efficient.

 

[MacB]

I wouldn't say insufficient more barely suffice but then the previous triple spot it replaced had 100w spots in it so it'll be a relative issue as well. Just thinking that if I've got the electrician here anyway fitting a couple of strips then that would be the most economical time to fit another.

T5 or T8, gotcha, is one preferred over the other and what's the difference?

 

[Hotblack Desiato]

Like User482, I am just starting to go for LED bulbs. It's amazing how much light you can get out of a 12v 3w LED bulb. Quite pricey but last forever. Don't like sunk in halogen spots as they can set your house on fire!

 

[rich p]

Get the dearest ones Al, then take a big hit when you split them into bits and sell the components separately in Classifieds.

 

[Archie_tect]

LEDs always... straight swap for GU50 bulbs.

 

[MacB]

LEDs always... straight swap for GU50 bulbs.

which ones and I thought I had GU10 not GU50?

 

[Crackle]

Be careful with the LED ones, which are a) still a bit shoot light wise, so buy more powerful than you think and b) come in different colour temperatures from a traditional yellowy light to a very blue daylight type light. Go into any store with a display and you'll see the difference and the output. B&Q is good for this, if nothing else.

And you probably need arc lights in the garage at your age.

 

[Archie_tect]

Sorry MacB... yes Gu10 [50w] can be replaced with 7w [may even be able to get 11w] LEDs which should give you excellent light. Try City Electrical Factors -they might have an outlet near you, usually on industrial estates.

 

[MacB]

Ok CEF only seem to go up to 6w bulbs but they also offer strip light tubes in LED. Does this work the same as the GU10 spots, as in can I buy a T5 or T8 ceiling fitting and then fit an LED bulb to it?

The LED GU10s seem to be rather pricey, I'm seeing £20 and upwards each here, is that about right?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Yawnsville thread of the year...

 

[MarkF]

CEF will rob you blind hiding behind an unfathomable discount & price structure, unless you are already clued up.

For your garage, don't put in normal fittings, get dust proof ones, they won't corrode, they are wipe clean keeping good light output and you won't smash the tubes moving stuff about either.....like I did. Don't guess at what you want/need either, just give the dimensions of your garage to the wholesaler and they'll tell you what size, how many and where to space them to keep a good overall light and shadow to a minimum.

 

[MacB]

CEF will rob you blind hiding behind an unfathomable discount & price structure, unless you are already clued up.

For your garage, don't put in normal fittings, get dust proof ones, they won't corrode, they are wipe clean keeping good light output and you won't smash the tubes moving stuff about either.....like I did. Don't guess at what you want/need either, just give the dimensions of your garage to the wholesaler and they'll tell you what size, how many and where to space them to keep a good overall light and shadow to a minimum.

any recommendations for a wholesaler?

 

[MacB]

Yawnsville thread of the year...

there you go, underestimating me again, I can do much more boring than this, it's in my nature

 

[MarkF]

any recommendations for a wholesaler?

No, all the nationals (AFAIK) hide behind the same scam unfathomable discount/price structure, I would get advice from them and then purchase elsewhere. Or, just pm me your garage dimensions and where the window/doors are and I'll tell you what you need.