[bamba]

Asking as an apprentice:

I work with Showtec's Active Sunstrips, and have changed many of the bulbs over the course of several gigs,

My question is could I replace the current Halogens*;

http://cpc.farnell.c...%20This%20Range

With a cheap LED version;

http://cpc.farnell.c...4?Ntt=LP0335734

Would this improve bulb life?
Would there be any issues with current draw?
Be a noticeable difference in brightness?

I'm guessing that the major problem with switching over from Halogen to LED is dimming them.. I'm assuming also that the LED's would be a more stepped curve..


*All at the same time, rather than single bulbs.

Edit:SPAG

This post has been edited by bamba: 07 February 2012 - 02:50 PM

[brainwave-generator]

They don't cost a lot, try it, and post photos!

[timsabre]

You can't, those LED ones don't dim at all. And the brightness is feeble compared to a halogen GU10.

[rossmck]

I wouldn't replace the lamps in a Sunstrip Active with LED for a few reasons;

The Sunstrip Active has an inbuilt dimmer that probably won't drive them, and may result in damage to the dimmer or lamp.

Even if it did work - the 'look' would be completely different, the Sunstrip has a very traditional 'blinder' look to them and this (imho) requires the warm colour temperature and 'fading' nature of the lamps, which you'd lose completely with most LED (certainly the budget ones)

I'd keep with the GU10s, if you want an LED fixture look at the LED Sunstrips, which were designed from the ground up to be LED (although are a very different effect)

[adam2]

Agree, cheap LED GU10s are most unlikely to work reliably or at all, and even if they do work they wont look right.

High end dimmable LED GU10s would probably be OK but would be a substantial expense.

International lamps sell long life halogen GU10s that are claimed to last for 10,000 hours. I am not convinced that they last that long, but they certainly last a lot longer than ordinary GU10s.

[paulears]

I bought some for home, and forgot the dimmers (which I always leave on full) However, wifey turned them down and after a while, nasty smells, and smoke. Not meant for dimmers!

[bamba]

Thanks guys.. Good to know, I guess I'll stick to the Halogens!

[david.elsbury]

"High End Dimmable LED" also unlikely to have the same physical profile, therefore unlikely to fit into the rather confined space available for GU10 lamps.

You might find using known brand lamps improve lamp life, or else limit dimming them to 90%.

David

[Young Johnstone]

Sunstrip need A LOT of spares, so you should always take that into consideration.. lamps are a consumable!

Try not to knock the fixtures as well, they don't like rough treatment!
We have 36 sunstrip at work, but alway hold 4 back as spares!

[cameroncoats]

paulears, on 07 February 2012 - 04:21 PM, said:

I bought some for home, and forgot the dimmers (which I always leave on full) However, wifey turned them down and after a while, nasty smells, and smoke. Not meant for dimmers!

From the dimmers or the LEDs?

[paulears]

smoke and smell from LEDs just before the dimmer went 'pop'!