Posted by W on February 25, 2011, 2:30 am
Can anyone recommend a specific lighting track for MR16 LED lights, using
any configuration with or without dimmer?
In another thread, someone indicated that they got a dimmable track to work
using one halogen bulb and the rest of the lights as LED. What are some
LED track products that would work in that configuration?
If I chose to just use a wall switch and forget the dimmer entirely, what
are some tracks that would work with all LED bulbs?
My installer bought MR16 dimmable LED bulbs from China, and apparently the
track he selected is no longer made with a magnetic ballast. He wanted to
use an older GK Lightrail kit that uses magnetic ballast. The newer GK
Lightrail only uses electronic ballast, and that version of the track won't
work with the LED lights at all, in any configuration.
Do LED bulbs require magnetic ballast and never work with electronic, in any
configuration?
The specs on the bulbs are MR16 with GU5.3 standard base, 6 watts, 12VAC,
2700K color.
--
W
Posted by W on February 27, 2011, 8:42 pm
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
> On 11-02-24 07:30 PM, W wrote:
> > My installer bought MR16 dimmable LED bulbs from China, and apparently
the
> > track he selected is no longer made with a magnetic ballast. He wanted
to
> > use an older GK Lightrail kit that uses magnetic ballast. The newer GK
> > Lightrail only uses electronic ballast, and that version of the track
won't
> > work with the LED lights at all, in any configuration.
> >
> > Do LED bulbs require magnetic ballast and never work with electronic, in
any
> > configuration?
> LEDs don't use ballasts. They DO need a DC supply at a lower voltage
> than 120V, however, and some people confuse this transformer and
> rectifier with a ballast like that used on fluorescents.
> A fluorescent tube lets more and more current through as it warms. The
> job of a ballast is to boost the starting voltage in a tube, then, after
> it's lit, limit, or hold down, the current going through it. LEDs don't
> have that problem.
> To save money, the companies are changing from a transformer to a
> switching (solid state) power supply. Cheaper to make but harder to dim.
> The transformer types were easier to dim.
> These may be of help, but if you had the lights on 120v before, you'll
> still need a transformer and rectifier between the switch and track.
Okay I follow this, but can you recommend a handful of specific
manufacturers and model numbers for the track that you think might work with
a generic MR16 LED bulb for use with a light switch, and separately for use
with a dimmer?
At this point my installer has not been able to locate any track that works.
--
W
XML site map
> Hash: SHA1
> On 11-02-24 07:30 PM, W wrote:
> > My installer bought MR16 dimmable LED bulbs from China, and apparently
the
> > track he selected is no longer made with a magnetic ballast. He wanted
to
> > use an older GK Lightrail kit that uses magnetic ballast. The newer GK
> > Lightrail only uses electronic ballast, and that version of the track
won't
> > work with the LED lights at all, in any configuration.
> >
> > Do LED bulbs require magnetic ballast and never work with electronic, in
any
> > configuration?
> LEDs don't use ballasts. They DO need a DC supply at a lower voltage
> than 120V, however, and some people confuse this transformer and
> rectifier with a ballast like that used on fluorescents.
> A fluorescent tube lets more and more current through as it warms. The
> job of a ballast is to boost the starting voltage in a tube, then, after
> it's lit, limit, or hold down, the current going through it. LEDs don't
> have that problem.
> To save money, the companies are changing from a transformer to a
> switching (solid state) power supply. Cheaper to make but harder to dim.
> The transformer types were easier to dim.
> These may be of help, but if you had the lights on 120v before, you'll
> still need a transformer and rectifier between the switch and track.