Converting low voltage halogen spotlights to 240v LED

timjsargent · Oct 15, 2020

Hi
I have two lighting circuits of 5 x low voltage halogen with individual transformers for each lamp.. to try out the new 240volt GU10 LED's.. obviously after turning power off at the consumer unit .. I cut out the transformer on one of the lights and connected the new lampholder to the 240v supply and GU10.. it wont work.. tried different lamps and other lamp holders.. then tried to replace one of the lights on the other circuit.. that wont work either.. the other old halogens with their individual transformers on the circuit still work

is it because i have got other transformers connected to the 240v supply.. so i have to cut them all off the 240v supply before it will work.
Cant understand the problem here

any insight would really help
thanks

tim

Marvo · Oct 15, 2020

So you removed one of the transformers and connected the GU10 lampholder to the wiring that was supplying the transformer.....is that correct?

Maybe can you post a couple of pictures showing what you've done?

timjsargent · Oct 15, 2020

yes.. connected to the twin and earth wiring on the lighting circuit supplying the 240v. can take a couple of pics

timjsargent · Oct 15, 2020

I have a voltage detector and the GU10 socket appears to be live..

SJD · Oct 16, 2020

If you mean a voltage non-contact "pen" these are not reliable, it could be picking up stray capacitively coupled voltage, and also there may not be a reliable N.

Marvo · Oct 16, 2020

The way you've wired it sounds right (although the fitting should probably have an earth connected). Are the lamps/bulbs you're using defininately 240V?

timjsargent · Oct 16, 2020

i basically cut the supply side lead of the transformer, and removed the tran, and there is only 2 wires no earth.. i could access the earth in the junct box.. but then the lamp holder only has two wires.. on the box of the lamp it doesnt say.. but i assume you cant buy low voltage GU10.. as they would be MR16's otherwise.. attaching pics of the stuff i am using its says in error the lamps are halogen.. they are def LED

Marvo · Oct 16, 2020

The earth (cpc) would attach to the actual fitting, not the ceramic lamp holder.
Yes you do get 12V GU10 (you also get 240v MR16) lamps/bulbs but they're very unusual and not sold at normal retail outlets.

Marvo · Oct 16, 2020

Wire a lead onto one of the lamp holders and put a plug on it preferrably with a 1 Amp or 3Amp fuse. Use this to test the lamps/bulbs by plugging it in before you go any further.