MR-16 Halagen yard lights to LED - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

easytim · 26th July 2008, 03:59 PM

I'm wanting to convert my Malibu yard lights to high powered LEDs my transformer is 12vac

Has anyone here experimented with these or know where to go and get the parts, LEDs,Drivers and Reflectors?

I have a Cree P4 LED Emitter from Deal Extreme for $5.05 Cree P4 XR-E 7090 to play around with. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1302

This is the light I'm using, it will hold a MR-16 bulb http://www.solarlightstore.com/elect...espotlight.cfm

There is a great little circuit here that takes 12vac and will drive a 3watt LED and I have ordered one of these, I haven't gotten it yet http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13557 I think its for one 3 watts, or three 1 watt LEDs in series. My biggest question is can I put 3 one watt LEDs in series and use this driver to drive them.

The LED MR-16 bulb in the picture below has 3 - 1 watt LEDs in it and it does replace a 20 watt Halagen with no problem. It has 240 lumens and is very bright
For reference purposes, a standard 40-watt incandescent A-bulb (the familiar pear shape) puts out about 455 lumens

Thank You,
Tim

Hero999 · 26th July 2008, 04:12 PM

3W probably won't be enough to replace a 20 halogen, I would say you need about 6W.

easytim · 26th July 2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero999

3W probably won't be enough to replace a 20 halogen, I would say you need about 6W.

I bought this LED MR-16 light below and tested it, it has 3 one watt LEDS in it and it does replace a 20 watt halagen its even better than a 20 watt, maybe more like 25 watt. I was very surprise with the results. I'm using 1000 watt transformer to use my Halagen bulbs and 950 watts of that is being used up. A 3 watt LED will replace a 20 watt halagen with no problem. The cost of using my yard lights every night is $15 to $20 per month. It makes sense to me to convert to high powered LEDS. Only 3 watts of power used to replace a 20 watt halagen bulb makes alot of sense and would be worth the trouble.

The LED MR-16 bulb in the picture below has 3 - 1 watt LEDs in it and it does replace a 20 watt Halagen with no problem. It has 240 lumens and is very bright
For reference purposes, a standard 40-watt incandescent A-bulb (the familiar pear shape) puts out about 455 lumens.

THANKS for your input HERO 999

High powered LEDS are very new to the market, its a learning thing for all of us.

audioguru · 26th July 2008, 05:25 PM

The LED driver ad does not say if the input is AC or DC.

easytim · 26th July 2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audioguru

The LED driver ad does not say if the input is AC or DC.

It says MR-16 that means only one thing 12vac

MR-16 is the standard light used for yard lights and operates on 12vac

Thanks for your input audioguru

Hero999 · 26th July 2008, 07:23 PM

Is your transformer a lightweight high frequency electronic transformer or a big and heavy iron transformer?

If your LED driver is designed for 50/60Hz it might cause a problem because the diodes might not be able to switch at the >20kHz generated by the transformer.

easytim · 27th July 2008, 01:27 AM

I'm using a big heavy duty outdoor 1000 watt iron type secondary 12vac transformer, its not an electronic type

Hero999 · 27th July 2008, 11:45 AM

That'll be perfect.

easytim · 29th July 2008, 02:00 AM

I received a MR-16 240 lumens 3 x 1 watt LED light today. Its every bit as bright as a 20 watt halagen. In fact it look as bright as a 40 watt. Not bad for only 3 watts of power being used at 12vac input voltage.

kyrie2 · 29th July 2008, 03:23 AM

try HID lamps, if im correct ^^, (or is it use only for cars? i mean the hid)

HiTech · 29th July 2008, 03:15 PM

easytim- looking at LEDBULB.BIZZ I noticed the prices were prohibitively expensive. That bulb lists for well above $250!!!!!!!!!!! I have 8 that I would need = GDP of some third world nations!!

easytim · 29th July 2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiTech

easytim- looking at LEDBULB.BIZZ I noticed the prices were prohibitively expensive. That bulb lists for well above $250!!!!!!!!!!! I have 8 that I would need = GDP of some third world nations!!

Hey Hi Tech,

It cost $$$$$ to go Hi Tech

Take a look at this !!!!!!!! ON e-bay

High Power White LED Spot Light Bulb Lamp 12V 3W MR16 $12.00 I have two of these 1 warm 1 cool

http://cgi.ebay.com/High-Power-White...3286.m14.l1318

This one cost double $28.00, but the light is more than double than the 3w single LED above, its very bright !!!!!!!!!!!! MR16 LED CREE WHITE 3x1W(3W) AC DC 12V XR-E 240 Lumen
http://cgi.ebay.com/MR16-LED-CREE-WH...em190239759370

I'm going to use these LEDs bulbs with a 20 watt solar panel, controller and 12vdc chargeable battery for lights in my family room soon as I find a good combination and some cool looking fixtures to put them in that will accept a MR-16 bulb

This is one way to do it

MR-16 to a standard Edison Medium Base (E-26) socket adapter by
Light It Technologies.
These are made in Montana and have clips which aid in securely
holding a two-pin MR-16 floodlight in place.
PRICE: ( LIT MR-16 ) $ 10.50 each
http://www.solarseller.com/halogen_b...ase__mr_16.htm

.

HiTech · 31st July 2008, 04:46 AM

Those prices are more like it -- I'm going to look closer into this alternative choice - would be nice to lower my landscaping lighting bill as well.

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26th July 2008, 04:12 PM	(permalink)
Hero999	3W probably won't be enough to replace a 20 halogen, I would say you need about 6W. __________________ I also post at the following sites: http://www.stop-microsoft.org http://www.heated-debates.com Screen name: Aloone_Jonez And http://www.silicontronics.com, same screen name as here.

26th July 2008, 05:25 PM	(permalink)
audioguru	The LED driver ad does not say if the input is AC or DC. __________________ Uncle $crooge

26th July 2008, 07:23 PM	(permalink)
Hero999	Is your transformer a lightweight high frequency electronic transformer or a big and heavy iron transformer? If your LED driver is designed for 50/60Hz it might cause a problem because the diodes might not be able to switch at the >20kHz generated by the transformer. __________________ I also post at the following sites: http://www.stop-microsoft.org http://www.heated-debates.com Screen name: Aloone_Jonez And http://www.silicontronics.com, same screen name as here.

27th July 2008, 01:27 AM	(permalink)
easytim	I'm using a big heavy duty outdoor 1000 watt iron type secondary 12vac transformer, its not an electronic type Last edited by easytim; 27th July 2008 at 01:53 AM.

27th July 2008, 11:45 AM	(permalink)
Hero999	That'll be perfect. __________________ I also post at the following sites: http://www.stop-microsoft.org http://www.heated-debates.com Screen name: Aloone_Jonez And http://www.silicontronics.com, same screen name as here.

29th July 2008, 02:00 AM	(permalink)
easytim	MR-16 240 lumens 3 x 1 watt LED light I received a MR-16 240 lumens 3 x 1 watt LED light today. Its every bit as bright as a 20 watt halagen. In fact it look as bright as a 40 watt. Not bad for only 3 watts of power being used at 12vac input voltage.

29th July 2008, 03:23 AM	(permalink)
kyrie2	try HID lamps, if im correct ^^, (or is it use only for cars? i mean the hid)

29th July 2008, 03:15 PM	(permalink)
HiTech	easytim- looking at LEDBULB.BIZZ I noticed the prices were prohibitively expensive. That bulb lists for well above $250!!!!!!!!!!! I have 8 that I would need = GDP of some third world nations!! __________________ Don't make me reach through this monitor to slap you a good one!

31st July 2008, 04:46 AM	(permalink)
HiTech	Those prices are more like it -- I'm going to look closer into this alternative choice - would be nice to lower my landscaping lighting bill as well. __________________ Don't make me reach through this monitor to slap you a good one!