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Ecopal Lightbulbs

  • 20-02-2009 9:27pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Ecopal

    Saw these on tv with Duncan Stewart. Looks like a good solution to conventional bulbs. Has anyone used them?

    Are there any other ecofriendly bulbs out there that are a good replacement for ordinairy bulbs (especially gu10 and bayonet B22 - have tried Megaman
    gu10s)


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,712 ✭✭✭davelerave


    'ecopal' nice branding.reminds me of the time eircom invented the internet


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 459 ✭✭northdublin


    most lighting companys can supply a direct replacement of most incandesent bulbs wether its candles, golfballs or gls.
    with regards to gu-10s ive found eclipse cfl to be the best mainly cause they are the closest in size to a normal gu-10 that ive come across, megaman are a good bulb but nowhere near the size of a standard lamp.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,359 ✭✭✭Access


    with regards to gu-10s ive found eclipse cfl to be the best mainly cause they are the closest in size to a normal gu-10 that ive come across, megaman are a good bulb but nowhere near the size of a standard lamp.

    have you a link for those eclipse cfls and are they any shorter than the other 75mm gu10 cfls?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 459 ✭✭northdublin


    Access wrote: »
    have you a link for those eclipse cfls and are they any shorter than the other 75mm gu10 cfls?

    I dont have a link but eclipse would be well known around the electric wholesalers in dublin. as far as i know they are distributed by sgd and the 7 watt gu-10 cfl i have here mesures 55 mm in height including the pins. the 9 watt version is about 75 mm.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,907 ✭✭✭✭Kristopherus


    If I recall that programme correctly, the bould Duncan gave the impression that these bulbs were the best thing since fried bread. Be warned. They dont do a fraction of what was claimed on that show.Do your research before going down that road.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 103 ✭✭EoC


    I just bought 2 ecopal's to test them out. There are superbright LED's with equivalence of 50W (using on 2W). They are pricy (€15) so looking to buy more but at a cheaper price.
    EoC


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 419 ✭✭eoghan.geraghty


    Hi loobz, i spoke to you before about led/cfl bulbs.
    I just picked up 4 ecopals, they're still not going to give the same light and colour rendering as 50w halogen but they are the best led/cfl gu10s I've seen for reasonable money.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 WARNEF


    EoC wrote: »
    I just bought 2 ecopal's to test them out. There are superbright LED's with equivalence of 50W (using on 2W). They are pricy (€15) so looking to buy more but at a cheaper price.
    EoC

    Eastern Electrical Price @ EURO 9.90 + 21.5% VAT superbright ecopal 2watt gu10 (lots of 10) otherwise 10.50 + 21.5% vat
    ph 01-4050400 Crosslands ind park Ballymount Cross Dublin 12


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10 tottenhamross


    you're spot on Kristopherus, they're not a good replacement for the old bulbs. there are better bulbs on the market at the moment.

    I bought some Earthmate bulbs that were fantastic. warm up time of around 40 secs and I think they are even brighter than the old ones. They are'nt these big long ugly yokes either. www.earthmatelighting.eu is the site. i think there's a link there to get your house changed out aswell. www.wechangebulbs.com.

    hope this helps you out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 Light Man


    EoC wrote: »
    I just bought 2 ecopal's to test them out. There are superbright LED's with equivalence of 50W (using on 2W). They are pricy (€15) so looking to buy more but at a cheaper price.
    EoC

    I also bought the 2w ecopal have them in my kitchen they're not as bright as the 50w Halogen but they last 8 times longer than the standard! yhey have there purpose, they are a good value for money product i got mine from Euro Sales in Glasnevin they only cost me € 10 and that was including the VAT. plus the lads in the shop seem to know what they're talking about!!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 109 ✭✭DO0GLE


    Bought one of these 2 watt ecopal lights in superquinn for €15 to try it out.

    The packaging says its a 50 watt equivalent but its definetly not as good quality as the 50 watt standard bulb! Other downside is the price I paid.

    However 2 watts is very impressive and you don't have to wait for it to heat up like the CFLs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5 digispek


    Hi All,

    I've put in loads of different types of energy efficient bulbs into private houses and businesses, ecopal as well. Ecopal's decay rate is just scary. After 6 months in a house they loose 3/4 of it's original output. Each LED in the bulb turns into different shade of orange.... just crap.
    Their 50W equivalent theory is far from the truth... not even 1/4 :) But it's a nice light, on the day you put them in...

    I've tried different types of GU10/MR16 spots and so far the only one that does the job is lumeno X31 .... 3W bulb. I got it from a wholesaler in Limerick just to try it out... absolutely brilliant. 3x high power led, I've put in 150 of them into a pub, after a year no sign of light output decay... and they have 2 years replacement warranty. So far so good. Owner told me he already got over 3000 saved on electricity... Another happy customer ;D

    CFL's are good stuff as well.... i wouldn't recomend to put them into the house though... You'd kill the bulb by constant on/off's as you go into the room. CFL's lifespan is based on continous ON ... switching them on/off shortens their life.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭Loobz


    digispek wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I've put in loads of different types of energy efficient bulbs into private houses and businesses, ecopal as well. Ecopal's decay rate is just scary. After 6 months in a house they loose 3/4 of it's original output. Each LED in the bulb turns into different shade of orange.... just crap.
    Their 50W equivalent theory is far from the truth... not even 1/4 :) But it's a nice light, on the day you put them in...

    I've tried different types of GU10/MR16 spots and so far the only one that does the job is lumeno X31 .... 3W bulb. I got it from a wholesaler in Limerick just to try it out... absolutely brilliant. 3x high power led, I've put in 150 of them into a pub, after a year no sign of light output decay... and they have 2 years replacement warranty. So far so good. Owner told me he already got over 3000 saved on electricity... Another happy customer ;D

    CFL's are good stuff as well.... i wouldn't recomend to put them into the house though... You'd kill the bulb by constant on/off's as you go into the room. CFL's lifespan is based on continous ON ... switching them on/off shortens their life.

    Sound advice, pity I have 9 Ecopals in me ceiling.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,952 ✭✭✭✭Stoner


    I think this posts highlights some of the potential issues associated with LED lamps, it will be great when a tried and tested lamp can be properly recommended here. Lately I've been advising people to try a mix and see what they think, CF and LED. Lamps degrading over time is something that people seldom take into consideration here, many lamps degrade, when designing systems this is taken into account and fluorescent installations are checked 6 months after installation, and there will always be a noticeable intensity drop off, it is expected and taken into account in the design.

    Many of the different LED lamps out there note that they last for years and are equivalent to 35W or 50Watt halogen lamps wrt lux output, if you are lucky they will report the angle of light they produce. I'd still be very reluctant to tell someone that an LED will replace a halogen, I'd simply tell them that they will save money but that they should expect a drop in light intensity and possibly quality, there are too many misleading statements out there WRT LEDs, the bottom line is that they will save money but there are concessions that users will have to make once they install them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5 digispek


    Hi all,

    Stoner made a valid point... You have to be very carefull when choosing a bulb. I know it's sounds silly, but if you're spending a lot of money to save on electricity, you should have a look at few different bulbs first.

    Even though LED's are more efficient than halogens, you can't be expecting that 3W will give you 50W output! The only LED bulb that actualy gives you 50W equivalent is 6W and it's costing arround 35 euro.
    It's lumeno again... I've put no more than 50 of them but they did what it said on the box.

    Yesturday i've been talking directly to the lumeno guys and i can tell you that they are on the ball with the whole LED concept... I got really impressed. They went to the site with me, messured all the lux levels and recommened what ever bulbs I needed... I got all the angles from them, illumination surfaces, lux outputs for each bulb etc.
    Oh yes... they have those lowpower ecopal-like bulbs(same stuff) in their offer as well, but... for nearly half the money... :) They aren't pushing it though... Their 3W high power bulb is between 12-15 euro... so it's not that bad.

    Their high power led's would be an every day use bulb for me now, but for things like display cabinets in shops i'm still using CFL's. They Give nice spread and you don't need extra long light range. Plus they would be on for 12h a day non-stop so no issue with life span decay...


    I know that Eclipse has also very good LED bulbs, same with Robus, but it's the support what's keeping me with lumeno. Highly recommened supplier.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,583 ✭✭✭LeBash


    The main problem with LEDs is normally the quaility of light and the spread of light out of them.

    I was in a good position to try out loads and get free samples of practically every make available here in Ireland.

    The best energy saving solution so far (as stated by the SEI) for downlighters Gu10/MR51 replacement is "IRC". It stands for Infrared Coated.

    Ok so using a 35w (newer lamps at 30w) to replace a 50w doesnt sound like a huge difference, but its 30% and you will not be losing any light. The lamps last twice as long, and not too much more expensive (C.4-5€). I would say any wholesaler will have them.

    When i visited the SEI at the start of this year a guy put the LED Vrs Halogen into prospective. If LED is so good, why is used for break lights in a car and not the head lights?

    As a new fit out LED will be good as you can add as many fittings as possible, for a retro fit my personal opinion is they are not going to be impressive.

    Also, as far as im aware, LEDs are not picked up by a normal lux meter? Could be wrong. I do know lux meters will not pick up inductive lamps (which will be the next fad in energy saving).

    The best advice is stated a few times here. Buy a few different brands and try them out (when its dark).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5 digispek


    LeBash wrote: »
    Also, as far as im aware, LEDs are not picked up by a normal lux meter? Could be wrong. I do know lux meters will not pick up inductive lamps (which will be the next fad in energy saving).

    Lux meters pick up LED's no bother.

    LeBash wrote: »
    The best advice is stated a few times here. Buy a few different brands and try them out (when its dark).

    Totaly agree... Don't belive what it says on the box, get some samples and try them out.

    As for the bulbs you described here... Problem is... when my customers decide to change to another bulb, they are expecting a huge bill reduction, otherwise they won't bother their ho**.

    As for LED head lights... they are available.... :) I've seen them working... problem is as always the cost of such a strong LED... Maybe in the future prices will come down...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 Joe Duffy


    Hi All,

    Again i bought the LED bulb's the 2watt Ecopal i have them in the hall-way, i have them in the last 3 month's month i think they're great perfect amount of light saving me 48watts per point and they last about 8 times longer than the standard! i'am not complaing.

    i got mine in eurosales in finglas cost me only €10 www.eurosales.ie

    think i will be changing the downlighters in the kitchen next..

    cheers,
    Joe


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5 digispek


    Well... Yes i've noticed they've come down with the price. As i mentioned lumeno has the same bulb, but about 20% better light for 8 euro only... But i agree even ECO-PAL will save you a lot of money... any of those bulbs will pay for themselves even if they will last you a year or so...

    They'd be good for the hallway... I doubt you will be happy with them in the kitchen though...

    Write us how did they perform for you in the kitchen when you get them...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 creaghp


    I recently built a house and the kitchen was fitted out with standard GU10 50w recessed lights (15 units). So I have been using the kitchen with standard halogens. However, the heat generation in the ceiling had me worried and my electrician recently replaced all of them with EcoPal 2w superbright, stated on the packaging as 50w replacements.

    I can honestly say that I can see no difference to the light levels and useability of the kitchen and in fact I perceive that the light levels are better now. So I am extremely happy and fully recommend switching to leds.

    We do have a lot of fittings and this might make the light better but I am now replacing all the other fittings round the house.

    Have had no losses yet but its been too soon to say anything about their reliability. If I do have any problems I will certainly post them.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 557 ✭✭✭Tester46


    Just had house re-wired and want to put in either CFL spots or LED spots. Does anybody know what the equivalent light output is for each type of bulb? For example, I know what light a standard incandescent 60W or 100W bulb gives out. What is the equivalent for a halogen bulb, a CFL bulb and an LED bulb?

    I appreciate that different makes will be slightly different (as outlined by posters above) but is there a general conversion table anywhere?

    Thanks


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5 digispek


    There is no standarized conversion table, as different makes give different light output. CFL's are 4 times more efficient than normal bulbs(25W gives 100W output) but again that differs as there are some producers that have better output. As to LED lights, it's more complicated. Led's in General are more efficient than CFL's by at least 3x to 4x . Light output differs even more than in case of CFL's as there are loads of different LED manufacturers on the market. So different 3W bulbs will give you different light levels. Some 3W bulbs with proper LED's in them will give better light than different 4W or even 6W bulbs.

    Go for LED's. More efficient, low power consumption and they last much longer. (light is much nicer than CFL's too)

    As to makes... try different ones. I'm using Lumeno all the time, but as
    creaghp wrote before you he is happy with ecopal. So choice is your's.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    Digispek....Id be very interested to hear how the lumeno 38-led GU10s work after a few months. Are they essentially the same bulb as sold by Ecopal?

    What appeals to me is the 120degree light spread. But I am put off by comments regarding the loss of output after a few months. The 3x1watt type have only a 60degree light spread and are probably more suited to spotlight applications.

    Has anybody here used the 38led version for a particularly long period of time? If so, what is the output like?

    E.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,583 ✭✭✭LeBash


    Exaisle, 60Deg is very good. That is what is known as a flood (wide angle) in GU10.

    A normal GU10 50W lamp is 38Deg, then a "Flood" version is 60Deg.

    Take into account the more you spread the light, the less there is. The aim is to get a good light level around the level you have a work top.

    I'm still unconvinced about LED's at the moment and will be until im proved otherwise.

    Digispek, I would love to see those LED's on the front of a car if you wouldnt mind throwing up a link to them


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,012 ✭✭✭route66


    These guys appear to have it all: http://www.yourwelcome.co.uk/acatalog/led236.html

    They are made by Sharp and claim to do the work of a 50W for just 4.5W. But they are dear!!!

    Anyone here have any experience of the "yourwelcome" retailer?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 chris_en


    Hi All,

    I just came across this thread, and need to add few words of comments.

    I've been using LED bulbs in my installations for a while now, and came arround a lot of SH....

    Mainly i'm using lumeno 3x1W bulbs. I have them in my own place(over 40 of them) and so far so good. I installed them over a year ago, and i haven't noticed even a slight drop of light lvl.

    As to DIP LED bulbs the likes of 38LED or 36LED they are good for certain applications and I always state that they have a "slight" light decay.
    Usualy it's the price factor that makes me use them bulbs.
    I've used eco-pal, eclipse, lumeno, robus and many others, and frankly i use what ever there is available at the wholesalers. Again i go after the price. Eco-Pal is available everywere, lumeno nearly... pricewise... lumeno is much cheaper... The difference between these two is that the second one has 120deg spread... gives nice effect. Ecopal has more concentrated light.

    www.ecopal.ie
    www.lumeno.ie

    And final remark... don't buy anything with more than 48leds... DIP led decays faster if bulb generates too much heat and 60leds in 1 i've seen are just too packed. (That's something i've read on a different LED forum :cool: )


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 756 ✭✭✭whowantstwoknow


    Hi Chris,

    Based on this thread I've been in contact with lumeno. Seeing that you have had experience, I'd appreciate any advise. In my instance I'm looking to replace 12 50w halogen GU10 bulbs with a suitable LED bulb replacement.

    6 of these bulbs will be in ceiling downlighters covering a living area of aprox 6m x 4m

    The other 6 bulbs are in an armed/arched light fitting, whereby the spots can be pointed in any direction. This light fitting is used to light the kitchen area of 4m x 4m.

    Both areas mentioned above are in the same room (if you get my drift). So of the 2 lumeno bulbs, which would best suit my circumstances:

    38xLED SuperBright LED Bulb or
    Lumeno Tricore 3x1W LED Bulb

    I guess price would also come into play. Lumeno dont seem to have a distributor on the east coast and can only deliver by courier, so I want to make sure (as best I can with other people's help) I get the correct bulbs otherwise it will cost me to send them back etc....

    Thanks for any advise

    W.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,366 ✭✭✭ongarite


    Anyone know a stockist of the Lumeno 3x1W GU10 or Frost 1x3W GU10 in the Dublin West, Kildare area & a rough guestimate of the cost of each.

    Thanks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 756 ✭✭✭whowantstwoknow


    I've been in direct contact, they dont as yet distribute to this region (something that really should be rectified if they want sales!!) but you can order direct (contactable via the website)

    W.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,556 ✭✭✭Slunk


    Anybody know of somewhere that stocks lumeno bulbs, the closer to dublin the better?

    Also, €10-15 per bulb seems dear, has anyone tried bringing them in from Hong Kong. Would the standard be the same? Can get them for about €5 each. Im thinking they would be similar and its just Irish prices being high but has anyone any experince with cheaper bulbs from HK?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭PaddyThai


    I've brought in bathroom stuff from Hong Kong that looked good on web site but was very poor quality. I would be reluctant to import bulbs as it's hard to compare like for like. At worse they may be cheap copies. Also, I expect you'd be hit with Customs and VAT on import.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    Ive bought 4 of the 38-led ecopals and 4 of the 3x1watts type bulbs in GU10 format.

    To test them, I rigged up a fitting which allowed me to shine them from the floor vertically upwards onto the ceiling, so I'd know what kind of light spread etc that they were achieving.

    The "test" (for want of a better word) was carried out at night in a room that's approximately 4 metres square (thats about 13feet by 13feet for anybody watching in black and white) and each of the bulbs were positioned half way between each corner of the room and the centre of the floor. Ceiling height is about 2.4metres (8 feet).

    Firstly, the 3x1watt led's illuminated an area about 3 metres (10 feet across). However, it was noticable that the middle section (about .75 metres) was illuminated much more brightly than the rest. The intensity of light was therefore "patchy" and I would class it as unsatisfactory. However, the light from each bulb did significantly overlap the light from its neighbours, which counteracted this slightly.

    Next, the 38-led bulbs from ecopal were placed in exactly the same way as in the previous example. The first thing that was noticable was that each bulb illuminated the entire ceiling and, indeed, most of the walls too. The light was not as intense in the area directly over each bulb, but it was far more evenly spread than in the previous example and I would class it as very satisfactory.

    The room appeared more brightly lit by the four 38-led bulbs than it did by the 3x1watt led bulbs although the latter lit the area directly above them far more intensely.

    My conclusion was as follows: in areas where an even spread of light is preferable (downlighters, for example), the ecopal 38-led bulbs were clearly better. In addition to this, they are significantly cheaper than the 3x1watt.

    However, in applications where it is necessary to illuminate a smaller area (eg a worktop), or where a more intense level of light is required, the 3x1 watt is preferable.

    I'm aware that this wasnt a very scientific approach, and the descriptions of the light levels etc are quite subjective. However, they are my own tuppence ha'worth and if you don't like it, then do your own experiment!

    My reason for carrying out the "test" was that a neighbour is completing a new build and he couldnt decide between the two varieties of led bulb. Hopefully, others might find this helpful.

    E

    PS. I have noticed that the 38-led ecopal bulb may not fit all downlight fittings which accomodate a standard 50watt halogen. This has to do with the positioning of the leds at the front of the fitting and how the bulb is retained in the fitting. The problem doesnt seem to arise with the 3x1watt bulbs... So, buy a sample first.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭Builderfromhell


    exaisle,
    That's very useful info.
    Appreciate you writing it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    Next up....I uhm...acquired four LED lamps by Greenlamp...€10 each at ND Electrical on Nutgrove Avenue in Dublin 14. Same shape packaging to Ecopal but not as uhm...green-looking....(possibly from the other side of the factory in China).

    Anyhow...these are 3watt, 3000k light and have (about) 60 narrower LEDs compared to the Ecopal's (2watt) 38. They claim 50,000 hours LED life compared to 20,000 for the Ecopal.

    The light temperature is claimed as 3000k (warm white) whereas the Ecopal claims 2800-3000k. However, the light from the Greenlamp was noticably "yellower" than that from the Ecopal. Without the benefit of an appropriate meter, it's difficult to say which the "brighter" lamp was. Id be interested to discover whether the Greenlamp was actually brighter given that it consumes 50% more power than the Ecopal. Maybe it's time SEI got their finger out and ran a few comparisons. My experience is that there are loads of people out there who are quite happy to use LEDs as a light source, but that there is little or no reliable information about any of the products on the market.

    Bear in mind, folks, that this is just my own view and that I have no interest in any lighting supplier!

    I havent tried the Lumeno LEDs yet....neither the 3x1watt or the 38LED. If there's anybody in the South Dublin/West Wicklow/North Kildare area who has some, then I'd be interested in acquiring same!

    E.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 acrmorris


    Exaisle, that was a good comment about the ecopal not fitting all GU10 lights - I have just bought 2 of these bulbs as I am looking to replace 40 incandescent bulbs, and the proximity of the LEDs to the edge of the fitting means I had to grind down the three lugs on the downlighter locking ring to get the new bulb in.

    Although this is obviously not as simple as a straight swap, to be fair it took me about 1 minute to tailor each ring with a dremel multitool, so doing one room at a time wouldn't be an issue if the light is satisfactory.

    I am interested to see how these bulbs perform as I find there to be barely any difference between the light colour, intensity and angle of the LED compared to the incandescent, but I suppose time will tell.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 756 ✭✭✭whowantstwoknow


    After reading thr' this thread I purchased a number of the Lumeno 3x1watt or the 38LED.

    Todate I have been happy with them in terms of lights (they will never be a halagen light) but after a week you would forget the difference. The light isnt as yellow as a normal bulb but thats to be expected. Also either bulb fits into the fixture of a normal down light (well mine anyhow)

    I guess the final issue is how long they will last before the degrading light become noticeable. Time will tell.

    Cheers

    Mike


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    Hi Mike,

    Just to clarify....did you buy the 3x1watt or the 38led bulb (or a combination of the two)?

    Ive received ten 38led GU10's from Lumeno and have installed them alternately with the similar Ecopal bulb. I'll compare and contrast shortly and post the results here.

    E.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    In the left corner, the Ecopal and in the right, the Lumeno.

    Both were fitted into downlight fittings on each side of a room, equidistant from the side and back wall. The fitting used is easy to find on ebay...it has three small lugs on a retaining ring which screws into the fitting to hold the lamp in place. However, the three lugs prevented both of the LEDs from sitting flush so I removed them with a pliers and eventually both LEDs were basically where they should be.

    Both fittings were pointing straight downwards....this is relevant. Also, bear in mind that the wall is painted in an off-white.

    The individual LEDs in the Ecopal seemed to sit lower in the fitting than the Lumeno, presumably because the LED's were taller. This has been the case with all of the LED's I've fitted of both brands.Perhaps because of this, the Ecopal seemed to spread its light slightly wider than the Lumeno, although at ground level the light from the Lumeno was definitely brighter. I would estimate that the amount of light produced was similar in both cases. One could read comfortably near either.

    My overall view is that in terms of performance it's an honourable draw. Both are excellent products and produce a very pleasing colour and intensity of light. Given that the Lumeno is marginally cheaper I'd probably use that brand given the choice. However, Lumeno are not available from electrical wholesalers, only direct from the distributors and that is a slight drawback.

    Hope this sheds some uh....light for those considering getting rid of halogens..... If anybody is particularly curious I'll email them a pic.

    E


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 acrmorris


    exaisle, could you let me know how much you paid for the lumeno bulbs?

    I have sent 3 emails to the lads at lumeno over the past 2 weeks, but no response - which email address have you been using to message them?

    Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 756 ✭✭✭whowantstwoknow


    Sorry,

    Only just back to this thread. Thanks for the comparison. I used a combination, the 38leds on down lighters and the 3x1 spots on a light fixture.

    Happy to date and cant recall the "difference" now. My contact email was joseph@lumeno.ie

    W.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    Go to the website www.lumeno.ie and click "contact" at the top left corner.
    There is a phone number there!

    Cant remember how much I paid...probably a tenner each or thereabouts. They shouldnt be any dearer than that anyhow.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    I notice that Lumeno are advertising "new" 2.5w and 3.5w "superbright" LED bulbs. I'm making enquiries and will post when I've got my hands on some!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 582 ✭✭✭Thoushaltnot


    Hi all,

    I just started a thread in Sustainability & Environmental issues on a related issue here but instead was wondering about eco/energy-saving lights suitable for either;
    1. dimmer switches
    2. frequent on/off switching (hall light is on a 1 min timer)

    'Come across anything on your travels that you could recommend?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    Your requirement for regular switching on and off eliminates compact flourescents from the list, and if the requirement to run on a dimmer switch is absolute, then LED's are not for you, at least for now.

    I imagine that dimmable LED lamps will become available reasonably soon. I'm wondering if you could put LED's on more than one switch (ie. every second or third lamp controlled by a switch) so that switching just one circuit on would give you a lower level of light in the room. This was a consideration for me in a room where I have eight LEDs in a square (one in each corner and one between those). I have two switches and instead of dimming I just switch every second lamp on. Probably not absolutely ideal but a reasonable compromise as far as I'm concerned!

    E.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11 jtothesums


    Hi. I've known of dimmable CFL's to be available for a while now but I've never tried them out.

    Check out the link below however. They are an irish company offering various fittings and outputs.

    I'm not sure if dimmable led's are available however. Hope this helps!

    http://www.greatbulbs.ie/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&category_id=15&page=shop.browse&Itemid=2&vmcchk=1&Itemid=2

    Hi all,

    I just started a thread in Sustainability & Environmental issues on a related issue here but instead was wondering about eco/energy-saving lights suitable for either;
    1. dimmer switches
    2. frequent on/off switching (hall light is on a 1 min timer)

    'Come across anything on your travels that you could recommend?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 107 ✭✭mikemike


    exaisle wrote: »
    I notice that Lumeno are advertising "new" 2.5w and 3.5w "superbright" LED bulbs. I'm making enquiries and will post when I've got my hands on some!

    hi EXAISLE ,, I noticed on the Lumeno site the lights you mentioned ,
    I thought manufacturers were getting away from 38/48 leds and concentrating on 3 x 1w high power leds ,,, Lumeno have a 3x1w at €15 , have you any experience with this one ?? ,, I intend to get one and try it out and maybe their new 38 and 48 "superbright" ones ...

    Did you manage to get any more info on the new 2.5w and 3.5w ?

    I tried their older 2.5w and 3w 38leds but I wasn't all that happy with the overall light output ..

    Forgive my ignorance , but is the higher LUMEN output mean a Brighter light ??

    thanks .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    I think the 3x1watt lamps are more suited to using as spotlights. Ive found that the multi-led lamps are better where you want a spread of light.

    Havent got my hands on any of the new lamps yet...been a bit busy, for once!

    E


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 295 ✭✭Anthonyk2010


    digispek wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I've put in loads of different types of energy efficient bulbs into private houses and businesses, ecopal as well. Ecopal's decay rate is just scary. After 6 months in a house they loose 3/4 of it's original output. Each LED in the bulb turns into different shade of orange.... just crap.
    Their 50W equivalent theory is far from the truth... not even 1/4 :) But it's a nice light, on the day you put them in...

    I've tried different types of GU10/MR16 spots and so far the only one that does the job is lumeno X31 .... 3W bulb. I got it from a wholesaler in Limerick just to try it out... absolutely brilliant. 3x high power led, I've put in 150 of them into a pub, after a year no sign of light output decay... and they have 2 years replacement warranty. So far so good. Owner told me he already got over 3000 saved on electricity... Another happy customer ;D

    CFL's are good stuff as well.... i wouldn't recomend to put them into the house though... You'd kill the bulb by constant on/off's as you go into the room. CFL's lifespan is based on continous ON ... switching them on/off shortens their life.

    Just wondered if there is any other brand of LED worth buying. I have tried Ecopal and they just dont last (rubbish)

    The lumeno are very good so far.

    Anyone got another reliable GU10 LED


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,675 ✭✭✭exaisle


    Best I've seen is the Phillips 4watt...as mentioned by Paddy147 who has replaced all or most of his existing LEDs with them...

    Suggest you contact him here for more info. They're a bit more expensive than other brands but not prohibitively so. Im in process of changing mine too, as funds permit!

    E


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,012 ✭✭✭route66


    I've had 12 of these Lumenos (60 degree version) in use for the last year and am very impressed: linky

    One went funny last month and I sent it back for a warranty replacement. Some comments on that:
    • Lumeno have excellent customer service
    • They said the problem was a resister and not the LEDs; they didn't replace the lamp, they repaired it
    • I installed a spare lamp and fully expected it to show up the existing lamps poorly - new=white, old=orange. I was wrong, I couldn't see any difference between old and new.
    • These lamps replaced regular 50W bulbs. I can't measure it, but the power usage of all 12 bulbs is less that 1 of the old ones. Hopefully that means I'm saving lots ;)
    • I haven't done any detailed comparisons but I'd guess the LED lamps are not the same as the old 50Ws - maybe 35 watts?


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