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[tunnie]

I recently bought 5 of these bulbs to replace some that had blown, in our bathrooms and kitchen. They are all this type of 'energy' saving bulb...(GUF11/64)

http://www.directtradesupplies.co.uk/product.php/162652/aurora-lighting-11w-gu10-compact-fluorescent-lamp--cool-white-

Within a matter of days, two of the five have failed. One of them failed within 24 hours

So much for the '8000 hour lifespan lasts 4 times longer than equivalent incandescent lamp' - Load of b0llocks then.

Question is can I just use 'normal' spot lamps/bulbs? not fussed about these energy saving ones. The ones currently fitted take a good few mins to 'warm up' too. 

These all are bayonet type, they then have a cover that slots over them, like this...

[aaronjb]

Will standard looking GU10 bulbs fit? If so I have a whole bunch of these throughout the house (they've been in place at least a year now) - nearly as bright as the halogen originals and a damn sight cheaper (and cooler) to run: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331027079705

Or try the 6W ones here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111189181257

FWIW Costco also had them in recently for a fiver a bulb (dimmable), if you have membership (or let me know and I'll see if I can swing by and pick some up)

[tunnie]

I've got CostCo, often in Farnbourgh one scoffing hot dogs 

Good links on GU10 looks similar fitment,  some of the bulb fittings in the bathroom have these 'cages' for around the bulb, some not. 

Might give those a go, thanks 

Some are like this...



Others like this...

[Andy H]

Have you got simple on/off switches? or dimmers?

[tunnie]

Simple switches 

[Andy H]

I have been experimenting with a few different 'compact flourescent lamps' (CFL) that fit in GU10 spot or downlight housings.

Like you I don't like the way they take an age to get to full brightness.

I have also been trying out a few LEDs. Over the last couple of years LED lamps have improved massively - the first ones I tried (about 10 years ago) were absolute crap. A glow worm in a jam jar gave off more light. They have improved so much now that I wouldn't use anything else.

The last ones I bought were from Ikea - £4 each - instant switch on and brighter and less electricity consumption than CFL.

One thing to beware is 'colour temperature'. Most flourescent and LED liamps are cool white (3500K) which is too clinical for home use. I prefer 'warm white' (2700K).

(If you like blue LEDs then 'daylight white' (4200K) might suit you)

[Kevin Wood]

I had a few fluorescent GU10 for a while, but they do take ages to warm up. I think mine were Megaman branded. Lasted very well, though (until I got fed up and replaced them with LEDs).

I think my LED ones are Philips. Much better light output, only 2W consumption each and instant "on".

I'd be surprised if they were 240 volt jobs in the bathroom, though.

It's worth going for LEDs, IMHO. The halogen ones are quite thirsty if you've got a few of them (8 50W jobs were in our kitchen!) and their life isn't great.

[baggers]

If you want any sort of a chance of getting some life out of a CFL you need to get very high quality, don't buy from the likes of '*' & '*' (mustn't name names). The big killer is turning them on they don't like the sudden rush of power.  The lifespan is more achievable if they were left on (but thats not going to happen).  A soft start standard light switch would be great or if the manufacturers fitted soft start to the lamp, unfortunately they don't.
I've gone for soft start dimmer on 50w halogens in the bathroom has a warmer feel than the LED and been in for a couple of years now, no problems.

[Broomies Mate]

'*' & '*'

B&Q?

[omega2018]

i'd get some 'c.o.b.' led bulbs, brighter and now more energy efficient than cfl. plenty on ebay. or the slightly older s.m.d. 5050 leds are good if you get enough diodes in a fitting.   don't go smaller than 50x50 diodes. 

as andy says watch out for colour temp, tho i am getting more used to white instead of warm white now, esp in kitchen or bathroom.  they appear much brighter.

beware of replacing cfl or led with halogen, halogen run a LOT hotter.   

[Lazydocker]

Another  for LED ones. I've bought from www.ledhut.co.uk in the past

[tunnie]

Thanks Chaps 

Think i'll experiment a bit, try some LED ones, try ones Aaron posted up, see how I get on.

So any GU10 should fit in the connections I have? 

[tunnie]

Would these be suitable?

http://www.ledhut.co.uk/3-6-watt-gu10-led-spotlight-35w-replacement.html

The outer casing in the bathroom, which clips onto the current bulbs says '11W Max'  but the above says 3.6 Watt and 35 Watt?   

[aaronjb]

The LED ones will be fine - the new SMD lamps give off very little heat.. A 30W halogen would probably melt the casing though.

FWIW I have four 3W LEDs in the dining room and it's more than bright enough.  I have six 3W LEDs in the bedroom and it's like someone fitted a small sun in the ceiling.. The 6W ones must melt your eyeballs.

[edit] When I bought mine the dimmable ones were extortionate btw, which is why I have non-dimmable.  Now I'm considering replacing some (at least the bedroom ones!) and adding dimmer switches.

[tunnie]

Ok. Cheers for that, i'll get some ordered up