Swapping low voltage bulbs for mains bulbs?

[flobadob]

My mother has 6 low voltage spotlights fitted. They are each run off a transformer, powered by 240vAC, in the ceiling beside each bulb. However numerous times either a bulb or a transformer goes faulty and rarely do all the lights work at the same time. I'm just wondering would it be better to do away with the transformers and just run 240v bulbs off the connections already existing that are powering the transformers at the moment?

Furthermore there is a dimmer switch fitted and I was wondering that if what I want to do is feasible can I get low energy dimmable spotlight bulbs as I have some ordinary low energy bulbs and it says on them not to be used with dimmer switches.

[Count-A-Strong]

Tungsten lamps ( mains as you cAll them) will shortly be no longer available. There are now dimmable low energy ( compact flourescent) lamps but they aren't cheap. LED technology is improving all the time and there are now warm White ones available which last 50,000 ( yes fifty thousand) hours.

[wildwood]

This is puzzling as I find the halogen bulbs last a lot longer than incandescent bulbs. The transformers should also last a lifetime.

[flobadob]

I didn't do the original job but I have had to change transformers. At the moment 2 have blown but obviously we don't want to have to keep changing them. My thoughts are if I can do away with the transformers and use different bulbs it may solve the problem.

[jake-the-peg]

I think the dimmable low energy ones are generally of the compact fluescent type so not really suitable for spots.

There are these
have a look at these
http://www.lyco.co.uk...rgy-Bulbs/sc1305.aspx

note that size is a bit of a problem because they're trying to pack a lot of tube in a small space

see here for a review

http://www.reuk.co.uk...Saving-Lightbulbs.htm

[jacksprat16]

tungsten lamps will be available for many years yet but only around 60watts downwards.
there are many "local" shops still selling 100 /150 and 200 watt bulbs
the only "low energy" lamps if find useful to replace my living room lights are the 150watt which are available now although about £4 each, don't think ill get the cost back on electric saved but there you go

[Toureman]

To answer your question, Yes you can run the low energy bulbs direct from your original 240 volt supply.

I used these, they are a lot cheaper from here.........

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk...s&hash=item19bd7acb2d

You can also get the G10 connectors cheap of ebay.

[fiesata]

LED bulbs are fantastic bought some from Ebay only use 3 watts each and are a warm white saving over 40 watts per bulb If everyone replaced their halogen bulbs with these we could all save a fortune - they cost me around £100 but will pay for themselves in around 2 years and a really good thing they give off next to no heat at all as they are so efficient

[flobadob]

But do the two above mentioned bulbs not give off a very white light, sort of reminiscent of a hospital. I'd rather a warm glow light.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

You can change to 230v GU10 lamps quite easily but they wont be as bright as the 12v.If youre using quality transformers/lamps they should last as long as the 230v ones.It may be because youre using a dimmer!!.When using 12v lamps try to get 35w aluminium reflector ....these give out less heat..(the lamp killer) and direct it forwards not back into the fitting