Old lighting system in house - suggestions for replacements?

[Encid]

Our house is 17 years old and was originally fitted out with 3.5inch 12V halogen downlight fittings.

 

Over the year I have progressively replaced most of the halogen bulbs as they failed with LED bulbs and also replaced the 220V-12V transformers as and when they failed.

 

But now I find that I am unable to find any transformers any more in any of the large stores like HomePro or Thaiwatsadu.

 

I have even tried a few "mom & pop" hardware stores locally, but none are available.

 

I am thinking that my only option now is to replace the entire downlight assemblies with 220V units such as the one below, but I am unsure of how to connect the in-ceiling lighting wiring to the pins on the lamp assembly:

 

 

 

Any helpful suggestions or alternative ideas would be much appreciated.

[Fruit Trader]

1 hour ago, Encid said:

But now I find that I am unable to find any transformers any more in any of the large stores like HomePro or Thaiwatsadu.

 

I have even tried a few "mom & pop" hardware stores locally, but none are available.

 

Numchai Electrical Naklua were holding stock of Philips electronic 220-12V transformers end of last year.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/12%C2%B058'16.6%22N+100%C2%B054'15.4%22E/@12.9712753,100.9036293,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d12.971274!4d100.904273?entry=ttu

If above has no stock alternatives below.

Pomchai Electric

https://www.google.com/maps/place/12%C2%B058'16.9%22N+100%C2%B054'35.4%22E/@12.9713582,100.9072461,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d12.971353!4d100.909821?entry=ttu

Pornchai Electric 1

https://www.google.com/maps/place/12%C2%B058'16.5%22N+100%C2%B054'19.7%22E/@12.9712613,100.9048133,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d12.97126!4d100.905457?entry=ttu

Pornchai Electric 2

https://www.google.com/maps/place/12%C2%B056'56.9%22N+100%C2%B054'12.7%22E/@12.9491343,100.9028713,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d12.949133!4d100.903515?entry=ttu

 

[Encid]

Thanks for the tip... I will check them out 

[Encid]

Pornchai Electric had them... thanks again.

[NanLaew]

In my recent master bedroom drop-lighting revamp, I wanted to replace the same type mini halogens as the OP's from 15 years ago with LED. The original ones were dimmable, so I needed to find like-for-like dimmable LED.

 

I replaced the original Haco incandescent dimmers with Panasonic LED switch/dimmers.

Removed the original BEC incandescent fittings and replaced the mini-halogens with Lamptan and Lumax 7W dimmables. They fit the original BEC fittings.

Removed the old transformer and wire-nutted the 240 V lines to the original GU3.5 2-pin sockets.

Reinserted the 8 LED drop-lights and Bob's your uncle.

 

There are two sets of 2 x Warm white LED downlights that are individually controllable from each side of the bed, nice for reading and telly watching. The remaining 4 are Daylight LED with the switch/dimmer at the bedroom door. That's what I call the 'cleaning' light to help the maid do a better job (I hope).

Edited May 12 by NanLaew

[OneMoreFarang]

Transformers are used for all kinds of devices and easy to find.

Ask in electronic shops i.e. in Ban Mo, Chinatown.

Make sure you bring your old transformer or a picture of the label, so people know what "size" you need.

 

[bluejets]

On 3/22/2024 at 7:46 PM, Encid said:

I am thinking that my only option now is to replace the entire downlight assemblies with 220V units such as the one below,

The ones you show are low voltage and require some kind of electronic transformer.

 

You will find LED downlights which do not require any transformer in their thousands.

Most will have the driver installed internally so therefore just either a plug on the lead or a connector strip.

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/403757614251

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 12 by bluejets

[Fruit Trader]

2 hours ago, bluejets said:

The ones you show are low voltage and require some kind of electronic transformer.

 

The lamps shown by the OP are 220V

 

 

[bluejets]

23 hours ago, Fruit Trader said:

The lamps shown by the OP are 220V

I think if you look into it a bit more you'll find that to be incorrect.

However, if so, then use an MR16 socket, just be aware they are only single insulation and not legal for use on 220v AC in many countries.

That is why there is such a mother as GU10 which do comply.

 

https://www.bestbuylighting.com.au/products/sal-mr16-lampholder-s9000-lh

 

Op (and his family and friends) would be far better off to follow my original recommendation.

There is enough shoddy electrical in Thailand as it is without adding more to it.

Edited May 14 by bluejets

[Fruit Trader]

27 minutes ago, bluejets said:

I think if you look into it a bit more you'll find that to be incorrect.

 

 

 

[bluejets]

22 hours ago, bluejets said:

However, if so, then use an MR16 socket, just be aware they are only single insulation and not legal for use on 220v AC in many countries.

 

At the risk of repeating myself, seems you find it hard following the King's English.

 

....and this.......... 

22 hours ago, bluejets said:

Op (and his family and friends) would be far better off to follow my original recommendation.

There is enough shoddy electrical in Thailand as it is without adding more to it.

 

So in reality, your point is invalid.

[Fruit Trader]

On 5/13/2024 at 5:27 AM, bluejets said:

The ones you show are low voltage and require some kind of electronic transformer.

 

 

On 5/14/2024 at 7:23 AM, bluejets said:

I think if you look into it a bit more you'll find that to be incorrect.

 

1 hour ago, bluejets said:

At the risk of repeating myself, seems you find it hard following the King's English.

 

Its called a confirmation, I looked a little more; as requested. 

English is not my native language, mostly US derived with a Euro twist.

 

 

 

Finally,  the OP had already found a solution by replacing the transformer's, no need for a 220V solution or associated drama.
 

 

 

 

Edited May 15 by Fruit Trader

[Encid]

On 5/12/2024 at 11:23 AM, NanLaew said:

In my recent master bedroom drop-lighting revamp, I wanted to replace the same type mini halogens as the OP's from 15 years ago with LED. The original ones were dimmable, so I needed to find like-for-like dimmable LED.

 

I replaced the original Haco incandescent dimmers with Panasonic LED switch/dimmers.

Removed the original BEC incandescent fittings and replaced the mini-halogens with Lamptan and Lumax 7W dimmables. They fit the original BEC fittings.

Removed the old transformer and wire-nutted the 240 V lines to the original GU3.5 2-pin sockets.

Reinserted the 8 LED drop-lights and Bob's your uncle.

 

There are two sets of 2 x Warm white LED downlights that are individually controllable from each side of the bed, nice for reading and telly watching. The remaining 4 are Daylight LED with the switch/dimmer at the bedroom door. That's what I call the 'cleaning' light to help the maid do a better job (I hope).

 

Thanks for that... a practical solution to the problem. 

 

 

On 5/14/2024 at 7:23 AM, bluejets said:

I think if you look into it a bit more you'll find that to be incorrect.

However, if so, then use an MR16 socket, just be aware they are only single insulation and not legal for use on 220v AC in many countries.

That is why there is such a mother as GU10 which do comply.

 

https://www.bestbuylighting.com.au/products/sal-mr16-lampholder-s9000-lh

 

Op (and his family and friends) would be far better off to follow my original recommendation.

There is enough shoddy electrical in Thailand as it is without adding more to it.

 

You are obviously not in Thailand, as if you were you would know that all household lighting electrical wiring is 2 wire 220V AC (no earth) and it is legal here.

Your links to Australian products are interesting but of absolutely no use to us here.

We can't even buy products from the stores in your links.

 

Anyway, as already stated... I found some replacement 220VAC-12VDC transformers so all is good.

 

And @Fruit Trader thanks again for you helpful advice. 

[bluejets]

On 5/16/2024 at 7:44 PM, Encid said:

You are obviously not in Thailand, as if you were you would know that all household lighting electrical wiring is 2 wire 220V AC (no earth) and it is legal here.

I live in Thailand quite a bit so , wrong on point one.

Your quote on the 2 wire system is also wrong, Thailand is mostly MEN system same same as Aus. WITH earthing as well, so point two down and out also.

Check out any architect, draftsman or engineer drawn domestic, commercial or industrial plans or simply available at any PEA office by application I'd imagine.

What you may have observed on whatever percentage of installs does not make it legal nor does it make it correct.

 

Aussie products work fine on Thai mains system, so once again wrong again. Many Aus products such as Clipsal used there for donkey's ages and that's quite a long time.

Best you check credentials of those giving advice as you will soon see I am qualified in every respect to give advice on electrical systems pretty much anywhere in the world.

Commonly known as putting ones brain in gear before opening the gob.

 

If you have trannies, then good for you.

Hope you picked the correct type.

Cheers Jorgo.

Edited May 17 by bluejets