View Full Version : Can Lights/ Pot Lights
Easto
Aug 23rd, 2009, 09:02 AM
I am building a house and I like the look of the small pot lights.
The Electrician doesn't like to use the small pot lights saying that they run hot, etc.
Instead he likes the 6" can lights or the eyeball lights.
I spoke to a 2nd builder yesterday and he confirmed that the smaller puck lights do run hot. He uses the 6" can lights because they fall within his High Efficiency home guidelines. But he figures in 2 years or so the puck lights will get better LED bulbs and he will put all those in his house then.
Should I just put in the smaller lights and change the bulbs later when better LED's are available?
Easto
Aug 29th, 2009, 12:45 PM
bump
TTony
Aug 29th, 2009, 06:25 PM
They don't run hot , get 4" , what do you want gu10, par 20 , mr16 etc ,what ever you want get screw base so you can change with led lights in future
Easto
Aug 29th, 2009, 06:50 PM
They don't run hot , get 4" , what do you want gu10, par 20 , mr16 etc ,what ever you want get screw base so you can change with led lights in future
I like these:
http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=942105&Ntt=942105&catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&langId=-15&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=0&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber&showreviews=true
Is there any reason we shouldn't be using something like this?"
TTony
Aug 29th, 2009, 07:23 PM
I like these:
http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=942105&Ntt=942105&catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&langId=-15&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=0&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber&showreviews=true
Is there any reason we shouldn't be using something like this?"
no, maybe he gets the 6"cheaper ,who is paying for it
Easto
Aug 29th, 2009, 08:04 PM
$150/pot light is what they charge.
Reason being is that the electrician hates putting them in. So the high cost is a deterrent for us not to use them. I think its B.S. , but I like the look of pot lights so I am getting them.
I will have a better understanding when I speak face to face with the electrician, but this is what the sales agent was telling us.
People would ask for pot lights and have them installed. They would then come back after installation and want them moved a inch, half an inch, etc. This became a pain in the arse.
TTony
Aug 29th, 2009, 08:16 PM
$150/pot light is what they charge.
Reason being is that the electrician hates putting them in. So the high cost is a deterrent for us not to use them. I think its B.S. , but I like the look of pot lights so I am getting them.
I will have a better understanding when I speak face to face with the electrician, but this is what the sales agent was telling us.
People would ask for pot lights and have them installed. They would then come back after installation and want them moved a inch, half an inch, etc. This became a pain in the arse.
what is next , I hate installing hardwood floors they make noise laminate is better
coolspot
Aug 29th, 2009, 08:58 PM
Instead he likes the 6" can lights or the eyeball lights.
6" lights look old fashioned to me, if you like the smaller size light, insist on using them.
I personally perfer GU10, but some people perfer PAR20. Screw-vs-non-screw is not much of an issue, since there are twist style replacement CFL/LED bulbs too.
For the second floor, insist on using a box and vapour barrier. It's a must.
On average, I think potlight installation is ~100 - 125 per light. Cheaper if it's a new build/major reno (since they can rip open the walls). So perhaps 150.00 isn't TOO outrageous... (expensive but could be worse).
One advantage to installing potlights after moving in is that you can dictate the exact location of each light ... something that maybe difficult to do during a build.
Easto
Aug 30th, 2009, 09:57 AM
Exactly. the 6" ones look old fashioned. The GU10 ones look modern, slick, more expensive.
I don't think they are going to fight us about the smaller lights. From what I understand, the electrician tries to convince you not to use them.
Easto
Aug 30th, 2009, 09:59 AM
What the difference between gu10, par 20 , mr16?
Just to make my research a little easier.
The light that I like are GU10, but what are the other ones.
coolspot
Aug 30th, 2009, 12:42 PM
What the difference between gu10, par 20 , mr16?
Just to make my research a little easier.
The light that I like are GU10, but what are the other ones.
GU10 are the twist style bulb:
http://www.lightingfx.com/media/images/product_detail/gu10.jpg
PAR20 is a larger cone style halogen bulb:
http://ultimatebulb.com/images/product_images/par20.jpg
MR16 is a low-voltage halogen:
http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/images/uploads/MR16.jpg
GU10/PAR20 are line voltage bulbs (120V). GU10 has a more focused light than PAR20, and is also smaller. PAR20 provides a softer light. PAR20 is a screw base where as most GU10s have the twist base.
Low-voltage halgoens require transformers, etc - personally I think it's more equipment that can fail, but supposedly you save electricty if using low-voltage. Also unless you're using high quality transformers, you may experience a buzzing sound when dimming.