Converting 12V Halogen fixture to 230V LED fixture

[pradeep79]

I recently bought a 12V Halogen light fixture that takes upto 5 20W G4 lamps. Inside this fixture is an electronic transformer that supplies 12V AC current to 35W-105W load.

Looking for LED bulbs, I see most of the 12V AC LED G4s are 3-5W, which combined together wouldn't exceed the minimum 35W requirement fo the transformer. While looking for LEDs I came across 230V 5W LED G4s and was wondering whether I can bypass the trasformer and connect the G4 lamp holders directly to mains. I don't know whether the thin wires that come out of the G4 lamp holders to the transformer would handle 230V but from my understanding of Electricity I think it should according to the workings below:

The G4 lamp holder wires are capable of carrying 1.66Amps (20W/12V) - 20W Halogen G4
At 230V the same wires would be carrying 0.022Amps (5W/230V) - 5W LED G4

As it is the Amperage and not Voltage that decides the wire gauge, can I safely assume that this wire can be directly connected to the mains? Or am I missing something in my calculation above?

 

[stillp]

What you don't know is the insulation rating of the conductors that connect the lampholders to the transformer. It might be suitable for 230V, or it might not.

 

[pradeep79]

What effect would 230V have on the insulation all other things being equal?

 

[stillp]

That depends if the insulation can withstand the 230V or not. If not, it'll short to the body of the light fitting, or across the live and neutral.

 

[flameport]

While looking for LEDs I came across 230V 5W LED G4s

Where did you find these?

G4 lampholders are not generally rated for or designed to be used at mains voltages.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

240V G4 LED lamps do exist, as do 240V G4 lampholders. This would be a case of swapping out the tranies and replacing the lampholders. That is if the lampholders can be swapped out?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Where did you find these?

G4 lampholders are not generally rated for or designed to be used at mains voltages.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/led-lamp-g4-180lm-240v-1-9w/2490f

 

[stillp]

Where did you find these?

G4 lampholders are not generally rated for or designed to be used at mains voltages.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/led-lamp-g4-180lm-240v-1-9w/2490f

Two of the reviewers said they are 12 V not 240V.

 

[pradeep79]

http://m.miniinthebox.com/en/descri...-light-led-corn-bulb-ac200-240v_p2237346.html

 

[stillp]

I wouldn't trust that website.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bi-pin_connector Note the Usage for G4: "MR11 and other small halogens of 5/10/20 watt and 6/12 volt"

 

[pradeep79]

Do you think I'd be better off swapping the transformer to 0-30W 12V DC led driver? Would the current wires support it because they are 12V AC rated.

 

[stillp]

That would be a better plan.

 

[ericmark]

I would say 10 ~ 20W for LED total quick hunt power supply £6.85 so I would say changing the power supply is easier than converting to 230 volt.

What is annoying is so many come with a 13A plug built in. I had same problem with mothers door bell it needed a 12 vdc supply and local whole sale outlets only seemed to do them with a built in plug.

 

[ericmark]

From another post this link seems to show cheap power supplies as with most Ebay one links to another.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

G4 lampholders are not generally rated for or designed to be used at mains voltages.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/led-lamp-g4-180lm-240v-1-9w/2490f[/QUOTE]
Two of the reviewers said they are 12 V not 240V.[/QUOTE]
They do indeed, so not a particularly good link to support their existence, but they do exist.