LED Downlight Driver

[Wayne nightingale]

Hi everyone, I’m Wayne, this is my first post so i hope someone can help me with my problem, before my head explodes.
Ive recently bought some cheap and cheerful LED downlight and the drivers last a couple of weeks then burn out. I’m wanting to do away with the individual drivers and use 1 driver to power all the downlights with a decent reliable driver. This is where i need the help, i have no idea what driver i need and the helpful people of TLC electrical had no idea either. Ive added a picture of the individual drivers that are supplied with the LED lights which are of the 3W variaty. I have a total of 12 led lights in my hallway, 15 lights in my kitchen and 20 lights in my lounge. So i need 3 drivers to power each section of the house, please please please help!

 

[Andy78]

Cheap but not so cheerful. That looks identical to a garbage set of drivers I had a full batch failure on. There were similar issues with the light units too. You'd be best off investing in some decent complete light units.

 

[Toneyz]

The driver is not in contact with insulation is it?

 

[Wayne nightingale]

Hi there, no the drivers are not in contact with insulation. The drivers are popping when the lights are being turned on or turned off. When there on there ok. I just want to bin the drivers and get one driver per room but I don’t know how to work out the driver spec I need

 

[Octopus]

Convert them to 230 v ....

 

[Wayne nightingale]

I have 200 of these lights, i cant afford to convert to 230v unfortunately

 

[Andy78]

Why aren't you getting these replaced under warranty ?

 

[Wayne nightingale]

Good question, i bought them from a website from China and i think the returns/complaints department are on holiday as all i get is “were out of office” when i contact them

 

[Wayne nightingale]

Even if i was going to get the drivers replaced, i would still rather have 1 driver to power all as I’m fed up with replacing a driver every other day

 

[Andy78]

Even if i was going to get the drivers replaced, i would still rather have 1 driver to power all as I’m fed up with replacing a driver every other day

Trust me, if the drivers are failing like this the light units won't be far behind and the new driver setup won't solve the problem of continuous hassle.

 

[Octopus]

I have 200 of these lights, i cant afford to convert to 230v unfortunately

200 downlights - ouch

 

[suffolkspark]

By the time you buy new drivers and alter the wiring to suit.... Only for the lights themselves to start dropping like flys at some point, it will surely be cost effective to replace with something else?

If you do want to go the driver route a good brand is meanwell. Youll need to calc your requirements from details you have on the lights, bearing in mind maximum runs etc from the drivers.

 

[Octopus]

I'm surprised that you don't have start up current issues ....

 

[suffolkspark]

I have 200 of these lights, i cant afford to convert to 230v unfortunately

In the first post you only have 47?

 

[Wayne nightingale]

Trust me, if the drivers are failing like this the light units won't be far behind and the new driver setup won't solve the problem of continuous hassle.

The light units seem fine and have lasted well

 

[Wayne nightingale]

In the first post you only have 47?

Yes i have a further 153 lights but im pinching the drivers from them to keep up with the blowing!

 

[Wayne nightingale]

In the first post you only have 47?

I'm surprised that you don't have start up current issues ....

every time one blows, it trips the board and then the lights start up ok

 

[Wayne nightingale]

By the time you buy new drivers and alter the wiring to suit.... Only for the lights themselves to start dropping like flys at some point, it will surely be cost effective to replace with something else?

If you do want to go the driver route a good brand is meanwell. Youll need to calc your requirements from details you have on the lights, bearing in mind maximum runs etc from the drivers.

Yeah I’ve been on the website and i get lost halfway through trying to work it all out

 

[Midwest]

I don't think you will save yourself any money or hassle, by doing what you are proposing.

Matching drivers to LED lamps is not such an easy process from what I've read. As said you would also need to consider the spec of the cabling from the central driver to each lamp, and the inrush current with a central driver. Even manufacturers get things wrong. If you are adamant in doing this, I would recommend speaking to a UK led driver manufacturer/supplier.

As the others have said, take a hit and slowly replace each room, with some quality UK sourced down lights, most come with an extended warranty.

 

[Octopus]

Yes i have a further 153 lights but im pinching the drivers from them to keep up with the blowing!

why did you buy 200?

 

[Electrical2Go]

I might be wrong but i think you'll struggle to get 15V output. It's a bit weird they're not 12V.

If you want to look at replacing the fittings please let me know what you need and as a forum sponsor I'm sure we can help to make is as painless on your pocket as possible.

Maybe something like the Ansell Prism would be suitable.

• LED dimmable fire-rated downlight for domestic applications
• Supplied with matt white bezel as standard
• Integral driver with push-fit loop-in, loop-out terminals for ease and speed of installation
• Fully tested for 30, 60 and 90 minute ceiling types to meet Part B of Building Regulations
• Fully tested to meet Part C (moisture) and Part E (acoustic) of Building Regulations
• Wide 60 degree beam angle for increased light distribution
• LED lifespan L70 40,000 hours
• supplied c/w Integral driver

If you do not need the lights to be fire rated there also some very well priced offerings from Ansell and JCC available.

Cheers,
Ivan

 

[mossep]

If you want to change the drivers then you will need to know the specifications of the LED itself. It may be that the drivers that you currently have are fine quality wise but are overloaded, or not correctly matched and that is why they are failing. If you replace like for like but with a more reliable model they may fail as well.

Personally I would take it as a lesson learnt and replace the lot. The old adage of buy cheap buy twice seems to spring to mind unfortunately.