Ceiling Light Fixtures

[Thailaw]

My house has the typical recessed "can" light fixtures, all are 4" internal diameter and 6" external diameter, each with a screw-in light bulb. I would like to change these to the "more modern" flat LED lighting fixtures with the self-contained light in the sealed fixture. The problem is that the LED light fixtures that I see on the internet are not flexible as to light housing dimensions and light wattage --  a 4" fixture is only available with the 9w light. My living room which is not especially large has 10 ceiling lights with presently 5w bulbs with a single switch. I tried 7w bulbs and they are too bright for the room. The ceiling is already cut for the 4" fixtures to be installed. One option would be to install 9w lights with a dimmer switch -- not my preferred choice unless it is the only option. I also perhaps could have 2 circuits with 2 switches -- 6 lights on 1 circuit and 4 on the other -- which would I think work and not be difficult. Is anyone aware of (1) 4" internal diamater ceiling LED lights with 5w or 6w capacity? Are "spacers" available to allow me to use a smaller diameter light with a 5w or 6w lighting capacity in the existing holes in the ceiling? I cannot believe that more flexibility betwen light size/diameter and light wattage is not available, but I aked on one site and was told "no". Thanks for any help/guidance.  TL

[sometimewoodworker]

The answer is that virtually all ceiling can lights use led tape so that the bigger the light the brighter it will be. But that is only true if you don’t do anything. However if your light has the correct power supply (driver) you can reduce the light by adding a capacitor into the circuit or by cutting off 1 resistor.

 

I don’t have the knowledge to modify a driver however I do have a 27W screw in fitting that I have added a capacitor to so it is now probably about 9w and will have a lifetime of probably 200,000 hours or more.

 

If that is beyond you then if you can find a capable plaster board ceiling tech (there are many good ones in Thailand ) then they can cut out the existing holes, patch them then after repainting the ceiling cut the required 2” holes for 5w fittings 

[Fruit Trader]

One solution for hole too big in ceiling problem is use the finishing ring from the old fitting as a reducer. Take to LED store and find new LED to fit inside old ring.

 

Below photo shows ring from old light used to fit a smaller Philips 3W LED. Best spray the rings white for better match.
 

 

[bluejets]

Adaptor plates, spacer rings, whatever you like to call them are available.

It may be a bit of a hunt for you though to find ones  to cover your 100mm existing hole size due to it being an abnormal size.

 

https://www.sparkydirect.com.au/p/NLS-20185-170mm-Extension-Plate-Suit-90mm-Downlights-White-170mm-Overall

[Thailaw]

11 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

The answer is that virtually all ceiling can lights use led tape so that the bigger the light the brighter it will be. But that is only true if you don’t do anything. However if your light has the correct power supply (driver) you can reduce the light by adding a capacitor into the circuit or by cutting off 1 resistor.

 

I don’t have the knowledge to modify a driver however I do have a 27W screw in fitting that I have added a capacitor to so it is now probably about 9w and will have a lifetime of probably 200,000 hours or more.

 

If that is beyond you then if you can find a capable plaster board ceiling tech (there are many good ones in Thailand ) then they can cut out the existing holes, patch them then after repainting the ceiling cut the required 2” holes for 5w fittings 

Well beyond me..... Any your "fix" is exactly what I am trying to avoid, both as to cost and mess, the mess and dust from the ceiling repair would require moving all of the furniture out of the room and be impossible to clean. A dimmer is a far easier solution, which is, I think, equivalent to what you are suggesting. Thanks anyway...... 

[Thailaw]

10 hours ago, Fruit Trader said:

One solution for hole too big in ceiling problem is use the finishing ring from the old fitting as a reducer. Take to LED store and find new LED to fit inside old ring.

 

Below photo shows ring from old light used to fit a smaller Philips 3W LED. Best spray the rings white for better match.
 

 

Excellent idea. Thanks a lot. 

[Thailaw]

4 hours ago, bluejets said:

Adaptor plates, spacer rings, whatever you like to call them are available.

It may be a bit of a hunt for you though to find ones  to cover your 100mm existing hole size due to it being an abnormal size.

 

https://www.sparkydirect.com.au/p/NLS-20185-170mm-Extension-Plate-Suit-90mm-Downlights-White-170mm-Overall

Thanks, that is exactly what I am looking for. My existing lights are (I think) standard, normal size -- internal diameter 4" (11cm); external diameter 6" (150mm).  I will check Thai Watsadu. 

[brianthainess]

21 minutes ago, Thailaw said:

Well beyond me..... Any your "fix" is exactly what I am trying to avoid, both as to cost and mess, the mess and dust from the ceiling repair would require moving all of the furniture out of the room and be impossible to clean. A dimmer is a far easier solution, which is, I think, equivalent to what you are suggesting. Thanks anyway...... 

I could be wrong but using a dimmer on LED won't work, I would do some more research on that. They need a 'Special' type of dimmer.

[sometimewoodworker]

3 hours ago, brianthainess said:

I could be wrong but using a dimmer on LED won't work, I would do some more research on that. They need a 'Special' type of dimmer.

You probably do not know that there are several, possibly many, different ways that LEDs can be powered. Some of those power supplies (usually called drivers) can be controlled by a triac dimmer some of those need a leading edge others a trailing edge circuit.

 

This means that some LEDs can be controlled by the standard 90 baht dimmer others need different architectures, still others can’t be dimmed. 
 

The short answer is go to a shop, a specialist is best, buy LEDs that are designed to be dimmed and a dimmer designed for those LEDs, also buy several spares as you have no guarantee that the same ones will be available later.

[UWEB]

5 hours ago, Thailaw said:

Thanks, that is exactly what I am looking for. My existing lights are (I think) standard, normal size -- internal diameter 4" (11cm); external diameter 6" (150mm).  I will check Thai Watsadu. 

Please let me know when you have find some at Thaiwatsadu, looking for the same. At least on their Homepage they have non of this Adapters.

[bluejets]

You could simply make your own spacer rings from a piece of 3mm ply or mdf, paint one side same as ceiling, glue bare side to ceiling and slip in the new fitting after the glue is dry.

[sometimewoodworker]

On 9/6/2024 at 3:29 PM, bluejets said:

You could simply make your own spacer rings from a piece of 3mm ply or mdf, paint one side same as ceiling, glue bare side to ceiling and slip in the new fitting after the glue is dry.

Good luck with that. Unless your better equipped than I am, it’s not going to look good

[bluejets]

Bad tradesperson always blame their tools......💥

[Thailand J]

 

In the bathroom and kitchen ceiling I use LED 6w circular panel. In the kitchen under cabinet light is a must. IKEA has a nice under cabinet light set but i just use a small tube from Homepro.

Bedrooms and living room I have LED MR16 3W-5W (see pictures below), which I seldom turn on.  Table lamps with fabric lamp shades are much better.