Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Jan 14, 2009 05:38pm | #1

   As Winemane said,  They do burn HOT.  While checking some prior to installation we laid them on the floor and plugged them in.  Ended up with melted and charred carpet, but they were face down. 

    

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

2. 
   northhouguy | Jan 14, 2009 07:42pm | #2

   Kreuzie,

   The National Electrical Code, (NEC) is where you will find your answers.

   Article 410.11 Luminaires Near Combustible Material. Luminaires shall be constructed, installed, or equipped with shades or guards so that combustible material is not subjected to temperatures in excess of 90°C (194°F).

   You are literally playing with fire here, so I would suggest getting an NEC Competent electrician to help you figure this out. 

3. 
   Woodman41 | Jan 14, 2009 10:48pm | #3

   as has been said, they get hot as hell. Personally, I'm going with LED lighting in almost everything.

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | Jan 15, 2009 03:59am | #5

   LEDs also generate heat. Furthermore, their life and light output so far are well below what is advertised. If they are in a place that retains heat, the output drops even faster. There are technical reasons why this is so.Another thing to consider is that LEDs do not just burn out one day. Like the old soldier, the gradually fade away starting on day one. the fade time is slow enough that you get some good life out of them, but they just keep getting dimmer and dimmer.They are also more expensive.In general, LEDs as replacements for general duty lighting are a flop to-date. they do very well indeed in special applications, like auto running lights, traffic signals, signage, and exit lamps. For now, you'd be well advised to avoid them for uses in which you need lighting to see things.

1. 
   Woodman41 | Jan 15, 2009 08:19am | #7

   LEDs have been working out great for task lighting applications. The light qualities (e.g. diffusion) aren't strong enough for many applications, which is why when light quality is an issue I go with halogens. Personally, I'm not particularly fond of the light color but new products are coming on the the market that are warmer rather than cooler light. BTW, a lot of cabinet lighting isn't for "seeing things" as I am sure you are aware, it's for accent and the fact that LEDs sell themselves insofar as being cleantech, the pricing issue is a non-issue. Right or wrong, people seem to want to attach themselves to the idea that they are doing something green, even if they have to pay for the privilege.

4. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 15, 2009 03:52am | #4

   Does anyone have experience with 120V dimmable xenon puck lights?

   Only experience I had was that the village inspector would not allow any xenon lamps in my kitchen remodel. I had to remove them to get the village to pass the work.  The inspector/village said they were a fire hazzard expecially when recessed.

   So I live with their rules.

    

5. 
   xmike | Jan 15, 2009 07:19am | #6

   I use the halogen variety. The instructions suggest that you can recess them, but I would not - they need the little air space under them to breathe. When I use them, I do 5 things -

   1) always use a dimmer, cause even slightly dimmed, the bulbs last a LOT longer. Put the dimmer where it's not convenient to mess with and set the light just a smidge off full bright.

   2). Mount them to a 1/2" false cabinet bottom with a small hole drilled through it under each light to a) hide the wiring, and b) provide an additional 1/2" air space to keep the heat from the light from melting your chocolate bars laying on the shelf above.

   3) Mount them about 2" from the wall so that they wash the wall with light - it makes a very nice effect, which you won't fully appreciate until the crappy little transformer that comes with the puck lights burns out, and your wife says "where did the nice light go?"

   4) Don't overload the little transformer that comes with the puck lights - it has a little fuse in it that can't be replaced, and it's so closely matched, that putting just one 20 watt bulb in one of the lights to replace the 10 watt bulb that burned out will fail the little dear in about a month. A remotely mounted yard-light transformer will cure this ill, forever.

   5) go on-line and order about 10 replacement bulbs of the proper size and wattage at $1.29 each instead of $5.50 each at HD, and put them where the homeowner can find them - little touches mean a lot.

   I don't like the new LED lights - the light looks dead. The halogen light adds a nice warm glow to any decor. The LED light looks like you opened the refrigerator door and forgot to close it. (fffittt!)

   Mike D :)