What do you reckon then?

[FatAlan]

Been round to a mates house this evening and noticed that over half his down lights weren't working. Told that the LV transformers keep packing up due to over heating.

View attachment 35058

View attachment 35059

View attachment 35060

 

[FatAlan]

Another snap.

View attachment 35061

 

[Leesparkykent]

Get them ripped out and fit some LED's .

 

[FatAlan]

I've advised that they should replace with LED GU10s so got myself a job. Thinking I'd use wagos and the wago light junction boxes.

 

[hightower]

I've advised that they should replace with LED GU10s so got myself a job. Thinking I'd use wagos and the wago light junction boxes.

Why? Get a decent enough replacement and there'll be room enough to terminate both cables in the fitting

 

[Leesparkykent]

I've advised that they should replace with LED GU10s so got myself a job. Thinking I'd use wagos and the wago light junction boxes.

I like these Hylec-APL | Emech Terminals/Accessories | Chassis/Panel Mount Tml/Boxes | DEBOX SL - http://www.hylec-apl.com/Emech-Terminals-Accessories/Chassis-Panel-Mount-Terminal-Connection-Boxes/DEBOX_SL.html

Them downlights look like they are in a bit of a poor state might be worth upgrading to integrated fittings or cans and lamps that can accommodate both cables without the use of a junction box if budget permits.

Edit. hightower beat me to it

 

[FatAlan]

Just thinking that Hightower. The circuit has two switches on it one of which is a dimmer. Wondering if that would have been affecting the life of the transformers?

 

[FatAlan]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will certainly try and connect direct to fitting.

 

[Leesparkykent]

You can pick up Aurora cans and dimmable lamps for around £6 a fitting. By the time you buy a lamp, lamp holder and JB you wont be far off that.

 

[davesparks]

Why? Get a decent enough replacement and there'll be room enough to terminate both cables in the fitting

Not necessarily, a top notch LED down light such as the eco-star units need a jb as they just have a prewired flex tail

 

[hightower]

Not necessarily, a top notch LED down light such as the eco-star units need a jb as they just have a prewired flex tail

So then i suggest the OP doesn't buy that model ffs

 

[FatAlan]

The cut outs in the ceiling are 2.5in / 63mm diameter. They've specified Matt white / paintable flush fit.

 

[telectrix]

and you will probably need to replace the dimmer as well.

 

[davesparks]

So then i suggest the OP doesn't buy that model ffs

Calm down, I was only pointing out that a decent quality fitting doesn't need necessarily have a terminal box for two cables

 

[FatAlan]

Ok. Moving on. Searching for a flush fit or very low profile Matt/paintable white downlight that will fit through a 63mm diameter hole in ceiling. Options seem extremely limited or non existent from what I can see.
How does one expand an existing hole by a few mm. Does anyone produce a jig for a hole saw to keep it central or do I have to invent one?

 

[davesparks]

Ok. Moving on. Searching for a flush fit or very low profile Matt/paintable white downlight that will fit through a 63mm diameter hole in ceiling. Options seem extremely limited or non existent from what I can see.
How does one expand an existing hole by a few mm. Does anyone produce a jig for a hole saw to keep it central or do I have to invent one?

Stack two holesaws together on the same arbor

 

[FatAlan]

Presumably that only works if the current diameter blade sits higher than the new, wider one?

 

[davesparks]

Presumably that only works if the current diameter blade sits higher than the new, wider one?

Yes, but they are normally all the same height, so the smaller one always sits higher.

 

[Pat H]

Ok. Moving on. Searching for a flush fit or very low profile Matt/paintable white downlight that will fit through a 63mm diameter hole in ceiling. Options seem extremely limited or non existent from what I can see.
How does one expand an existing hole by a few mm. Does anyone produce a jig for a hole saw to keep it central or do I have to invent one?

Here's what I do.
Cut a 63mm hole in a spare bit of ply or mdf. Take the round plug you just cut and screw it to a new piece of ply or mdf.
Take care to use 2 screws away from the edge of the round plug. Re drill the pilot hole from the round plug through the new mdf.
Now lift the new mdf and slide it till the round plug drops in the old 63mm ceiling hole. You will have a little movement so just centre it. now secure the mdf/ply sheet with a few temp screws. Then cut through the sheet and the ceiling with the new hole cutter.
That sounds more complex than it is....

 

[FatAlan]

Bit of digging around but Starrett do an Oops Hole Saw arbor.

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[davesparks]

I hadn't realised such things existed, I've always just put a second holesaw onto the standard arbor

 

[FatAlan]

The interweb is a wonderful thing Dave if you know what thing you are looking for is called. I only found it by looking at Starrett hole saws on Amazon and taking a closer look at accessories.

View attachment 35119

 

[uksrevivor]

Stack two holesaws together on the same arbor

Well I be fecked that has to be the best bit of knowledge I have learnt in a long time and I will remember that for the rest of my career. I would never of thought of that and have struggled a few times before when I needed to open up a hole for a bigger diameter light fitting. Brilliant little trick.

 

[FatAlan]

All they need to invent now is a downlight with a decent connecting system that doesn't rely in those stupid incorporated screw down connect blocks! Still,I suppose thats part of the skill required to be a competent person!

 

[Leesparkykent]

All they need to invent now is a downlight with a decent connecting system that doesn't rely in those stupid incorporated screw down connect blocks! Still,I suppose thats part of the skill required to be a competent person!

push fit connector downlights - http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/threads/push-fit-connector-downlights.113012/

 

[FatAlan]

The irony on this job is that the existing fittings are sat in 76mm holes so hole saw not needed! Still, on the plus saves a lot of work. Lesson - if dealing with proper customer rather than friend, do not rely on their measurements!