Good quality LED downlights...

[gbclive]

There are a bunch here, but the CRI is only 80: https://www.downlightsdirect.co.uk/shallow-downlights.html

 

Tony

Last year I spent a considerable time trying to source some LED downlights for a re-fit of our NB.

I wanted 12 volt warm LEDs with a beam effect and light similar to halogens with their conical reflectors, for pools of light rather than the flat LED lighting effect that is more common.

Also had to be shallow mounting depth and dimable.

I eventually made contact with Chris Horridge at downlightsdirect.co.uk who suggested these 12 volt constant voltage LED downlighters by the Swedish company Malmbergs.

https://www.downlightsdirect.co.uk/miniature-12v-downlight-malmbergs.html#description

They were a new design, the earlier versions were a constant amperage design which were not as simple to dim and required a compatible driver.

 

The only slight downsides for me were:

▪️A DC to DC stabiliser is recommended (for the greater than 12 volts when the batteries are being charged). This ups the cost and complexity slightly.

▪️Perhaps not the cheapest LEDs available.

▪️There are brighter lights available if that is a priority.

▪️Bulb not replaceable, but I suspect they will outlast me!

 

Specification:

Mounting depth: 30mm (unusually shallow for a fitting with a conical reflector)

Wattage: 3W

Beam angle: 45 degrees (unusual for shallow 12 volt LEDs)

Colour temperature: 2700K extra warm white.

Finishes: White or satin chrome (sorry Robbo - not stainless)

IP Rating: IP44 splash proof

Lumens: 227 Lumens

CRI: 83 (sorry Robbo - less than 90)

Guarantee: 5 years

 

A model with a tilting mechanism is also available.

 

I control (dim) some that are under cupboards with a very cheap and simple PRM (pulse width modulation) dimmer, similar to this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-Volt-8-Amp-For-LED-Lights-Strips-PWM-Dimming-Controller-DIMMER-/191740707920?hash=item2ca4a30450:g:HfkAAOSwsFpWS-tI

 

Personally, I'm very pleased with the warm atmospheric result and would recommend Chris for his excellent advice and service.

There was nothing else at the time that came close to meeting my requirements.