Swapping from halogen spotlights to LEDs

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I currently have 17 (!) of these halogen spotlights (MR16/ gu5.3 I think they are, 12V) that are 50W each. I want to change these to LEDs. A couple of years ago I swapped one out with an LED (12 v also) to see what it was like. It flickered, burnt and then went off straight away so went back to the halogen lights and that was that.

I would like to actually swap them out now as after having a smart meter installed, it has made me realise what they cost. I remembered the above situation where trying one died. After some reading around, it looks like for LEDs you need transformers as it is stepping down the voltage to 12v. The halogens currently there should have a transformer as they are also 12v. Do I need to replace the halogen transformers (not sure I even can, probably in the ceiling somewhere and I don't want to pull the ceiling apart) with LED specific ones or can they handle LEDs? I read LEDs are dc too whereas the halogens will be AC. I thought maybe the halogen transformer caused the LED issues.

Maybe I just need reputable LEDs. These were some random brand off Amazon (Kakunuo).
 
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Most 12v halogen transformers require a minimum current before activating. The problem is LEDs draw such a small amount of current, they may not activate the transformer. You'd have to rewire to run multiple LEDs off of a single transformer.

There may be a solution to the above, but the easiest thing to do is to get rid of the 12v transformer and fit new gu10 mains voltage spotlight fittings.
 
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I am not sure where the transformers are. Maybe close to the bulb itself. I am in a modern-ish flat (2004). If the transformers can't be pulled through the hole, I would rather not open up the ceiling :p. I don't know if it's a transformer per halogen bulb, or per light switch etc.

I have two normal bulbs in the flat. I think the normal types are definitely plug and play as the transformer is contained within the bulb base itself?
 
Soldato
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I looked into this and didn't bother. The running cost wasn't worth the reward in time and materials removing the old transformers (under loft boarding with heaps of stuff on top). They cost less than £15 a year to run.
 
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I am not sure where the transformers are. Maybe close to the bulb itself. I am in a modern-ish flat (2004). If the transformers can't be pulled through the hole, I would rather not open up the ceiling :p. I don't know if it's a transformer per halogen bulb, or per light switch etc.

I have two normal bulbs in the flat. I think the normal types are definitely plug and play as the transformer is contained within the bulb base itself?

The transformer can almost definitely be pulled through the hole. They can and do go faulty so they should be replaceable (only a moron would make them completely inaccessible).
 
Soldato
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1 Jun 2013
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I am not sure where the transformers are. Maybe close to the bulb itself. I am in a modern-ish flat (2004). If the transformers can't be pulled through the hole, I would rather not open up the ceiling :p. I don't know if it's a transformer per halogen bulb, or per light switch etc.

I have two normal bulbs in the flat. I think the normal types are definitely plug and play as the transformer is contained within the bulb base itself?

If you don't want to mess with getting rid of the transformers and rewiring, there are 12 volt MR16s you can buy that should be a straight swap.
 
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