Downlights melting my units??

[sugarcheeks]

Hi, I have recently had fitted 8 downlights, 12v with 50w halogen bulbs to my kitchen ceiling. I have just had a new kitchen fitted in Hi-Gloss finish, the kitchen includes two wall cabinets with bi-fold doors! when these bi-fold doors or lifted up, the heat from the halogen bulb is melting my bi-fold door as it almost touches! (yes my ceiling is low!). Can anyone recomend a bulb I can use that will not give of this kind of heat - many thanks.

[buildersmate]

Eventually you will need to change them to something like this.
http://www.led-lightbulbs.co.uk/scp/LED_Bulbs/ MR16.html
I say eventually because these LED products are hideously expensive right now.
LED lamps are much more efficient (in that the ratio of light produced to heat produced is higher).
Halogens and conventional filament bulbs generate a lot of heat, I'm afraid, and whowever installed the doors should have realised this.
Until then, I have no solution for you - sorry

[scotman]

You can fit the relevant lights with bulbs of lower power. Obviously this will give less light as well as less heat

[Tweed]

A few things to consider. For now you have the halogen type bulb and transformer. You can reduce the heat by choosing a lower wattage bulb. You can get 20 watt 12V halogen bulbs and use them in the problem area. Also, make sure any insulation in the attic is well clear of the lights. Give them plenty of air to release heat; this could make a huge difference alone.

[buildersmate]

Oh no you can't.
It will underload the transformer(s) supplying the 50W bulbs - they would only be loaded to 40% of normal rated capacity. These things are not designed to run in such a state (and it is possible they could heat up).

[Tweed]

That's not the case buildersmate. The load on the secondary side of the transformer is reduced therefore the current also. 50 watts is around 4 amps, 20 is about 1.7 amps and the current on the primary coil wil also reduce. It's the LOAD that determines the current. I've never heard of underload regarding transformers but as it is high current that causes heat it wouldn't happen in this case. The transformer's job is to reduce/increase voltage. It doesn't deliver a steady current (or wattage) regardless of the load.

[Broadie451]

hmmm your in a tricky spot here,
LED would be the way to go but the amount of light out of LED downlighters is very low compared to halogen. Your going to have to move away from the 50W option that foresure, 17th ed regs state that you cant have a luminare (lamp) no closer than 0.5m (500mm) to a combustible surface ie your high gloss doors. You could try and use a compact flourescent lamp (CFL) you can get them in MR16 sizes although they are not low voltage. What about repositioning the downlighters towards the centre of the room thus giving you some clearance. You can buy adjustable downlighters so you can direct the beam of light towards the work surface and or cupboard.

let us know how you get on hope this helps.