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Recessed downlights Updated: 02 Mar 2010

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Existing downlights with 140mm. aperture Posted by: Barbara Edwards 07 Feb 2012 4:48pm

Are there any closed downlights ot retrofit existing. Also would covering with 10L buckets in loft be safe with low energy lamps.

Halcyon F-Hat rated downlight Posted by: John Morgan 16 Aug 2011 7:42am

General comment: to anyone thinking about replacing downlights, DO IT; we have replaced 29 fittings in our 240 sqm home & noticed an immediate difference in warmth & comfort. Our power usage and bill 6 weeks later, mid-winter, is lower too :)

We were planning to install surface lighting and re-gib ceilings but then found Halcyon F-Hat rated fittings (thanks Dominic Hines) which can be covered by some insulation types eg pink batts.

There may be other suitable products too; whichever you choose, it is worth getting rid of the old un-covered fittings coz it makes a BIG difference.

Isolite Downlight Covers Posted by: Barbara Edwards 18 Jul 2011 1:57pm

Is it necessary to also use Transformer Isolators?Are there suppliers in New Zealand and any insallers in Auckland area? General feedback would be useful. Thanks
Gordon

Another type of fitting Posted by: MrTim 16 Jun 2011 1:57pm

The Superlux SD100F downlights are sealed, take a proper CLF downlight bulb, and can be insulated over

http://www.superlux.co.nz/products.asp?id=343&product=1272

Down Light Covers Posted by: Kiwi Irish 12 Sep 2010 4:20pm

All, and FYI...

There is a combined Australian/NZ Standards working group called EL41 which is defining a new standard for recessed luminaire (downlight) covers. This is due for public comment in October 2010. This committee is led by the lighting industry. Keep an eye out for this new standard as buckets won't pass the standard. Some well proven existing covers like the Isolite and Tenmat may also not pass this new requirement.

Time will tell on this one.

SD125F ?? Posted by: Dominic Hines 29 May 2010 6:49pm

There has been a number of comments about the SD125F down lights.

While they have a good shell around them and are mostly closed, none of the marketing or pictures of them show the four holes at the top that act as four chimneys for heat loss from your ceiling into the attic!

They are a good fitting but not the perfect answer to heat loss.

If you stick with "F" rated down lights and cover completely with insulation or even better replace down lights with surface mounted fittings then you will solve all the issues.

Yes you can definitely cover "F" type down lights with insulation even though another electrician has commented below that you can't but they are not very common because of cost and us Kiwi's love cheap!! that's why we have so many of these types of problems in NZ.

(dichroic down light sit around 270 degrees celsius not 500-600 don't know here that figure came from)

Firepro 120 downlight covers? Posted by: Rebecca Officer 09 May 2010 9:32pm

Can anyone comment on the likely effectiveness and safety of Firepro 120 downlight covers?

http://www.firepro.co.nz/datasheets/f120.pdf

They're designed for halogens. Would they work for non-CA rated incandescents too?

Thanks!

Fully insulated 'F Rated' downlights Posted by: Chris Penrose 05 May 2010 10:28pm

As Dominic suggested earlier, Fozz make 'F rated' downlights which are designed to be covered with insulation.
This means there is no need for plastic buckets and worries about insurance.
The fitting requires a standard 100mm downlight hole, so retrofitting is easy.

Lighting Direct sell the Fozz CRONOS with 13W CFL for an eye watering $90.
(60W equlivent light output)
Buying direct from the UK is a bit cheaper.