Ecopal Lightbulbs

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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 .

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

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?

Is there are good sites to buy LED's on line?

I replaced all the downlighters in the house with the Lumeno 48 LED GU10s
http://www.lumeno.ie/?lumeno=105&cat_id=8&mcat=8&prod_id=17&p=0
and they have the best colour off any led I have tried.
plus going from 50W bulbs to 3.5W should make a dent in the leccy bills!

Gar

I contacted Lumeno and they told me some of the wholesalers who sell them.
The nearest to me were city electrical factors.
http://cefltd.ie/
They seem to be all over the country. They dont stock the lights but will order them in.
They were about 9.50 + VAT

CEF tried to get me to get a brand called click whick were cheaper but just didnt like the colour - too white for me

Gar

phil200 wrote: »

Anthonyk2010 wrote: »

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.


Thanks

Can u buy them on line?

Mod edit link from above post removed