Down lighting

Hi, I am in the middle of building a studio and I have read Rod's book and have gone though many of the theads on this fantastic site though I am wondering if anyone could offer any advice on ways to approach down lighting. I am constructing my inner leaf ceiling inside-out with plaster board/GG/plasterboard above very dense Acoustisorb polyester batts that are on the inside of the room that I will cover with fabric. (Similar to what is in Lou's construction) I am looking to build the MDF silencer boxes as this seems to be the common way to retain the integrity of the sound isolation of the walls, ceiling construction. I really want to use Halogen down lights as I don't think that I like how the LEDs look and feel as a main source of light, though Halogens are very hot. What I am wondering is how these types of lights get any air-flow like this in these small boxes or is this not as much of a problem as I am worrying about? Do people use the ones the have the attached/in-built transformers? Some of these lights come with recommendations for the ventilated space above them to be .3 cubic meters these details are starting to drive me mad. Seems as if there is no end in sight. One other thing I have been wondering is how many people constructing an inside-out ceiling cover it in plastic before fabric to retain some reflection. Thanks in advance. Ben.

Have you really checked out the new LED lighting systems? I have recently began using them (main lighting source) on my projects and have fallen in love with them. One of their great features is that you can couple them with specialized systems and provide not only lighting adjusted for mood - but one light many colors....... not to mention that they are RF free, low voltage (thus tremendous savings on the electric bill). Personally i don't really care for halogen - I find it to be a harsh lighting the heat notwithstanding. If you really want to use halogen - why not use track lighting instead of cans - then the enclosure is no longer an issue. Rod

Hey Rod, Where are you finding LED light system dealers. Unfortunately Home Depot or Lowes really doesn't have much in that department. I've searched online, but I'm one of those people that kinda likes to see it in person rather than buying online when it comes to something I know very little about.

trodden wrote:

Hey Rod, Where are you finding LED light system dealers. Unfortunately Home Depot or Lowes really doesn't have much in that department. I've searched online, but I'm one of those people that kinda likes to see it in person rather than buying online when it comes to something I know very little about.

LIGHTING SUPPLY CO. 1 mile 2729 2ND AVE SEATTLE, WA 98121 206- 441-5075 DOLAN NORTHWEST LLC 1 mile 222 2ND AVE EXT S SEATTLE, WA 98104 206- 622-1962 DOLAN NORTHWEST LLC 3 miles D/B/A SEATTLE LTG FIXT [removed] SEATTLE, WA 98134 206- 622-4736 ALEXANDER CONTRACTOR LIGHTING 3 miles 2450 8TH AVE S SEATTLE, WA 98134 206- 624-7357 i hope that helped - no matter what the product - if you go to the manufacturer's website - they will always provide you info about where you can buy it locally.

Sweet. thanks man!

Rod- Do you (or anyone else here) have any pictures of the type of LED light fixtures you are talking about? I'm looking at lights for my studio build and I can't find much on LED lights. I've been searching the internet and haven't found much I could use. The only ones I've seen locally are very small round LED lights. Thanks.

I would sure like to know more detail about the models of LEDs too. In searching I came across a couple of LED fixtures but they are expensive and I would want to be sure I am getting the right thing for the job. http://www.ylighting.com/cre-lr4.html#thetabs http://www.ledwaves.com/Recessed-Lights-p-1-c-108.html Thanks, -Chris

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As I mentioned above - I worked with Progress Lighting - the products I used were standard LED down-lighting - 4 to 6" - which could retrofit into an existing recessed can - (you could also purchase a recessed frame specifically for the unit if you desired) The lights are very similar to the Y-Lights LED recessed lights. Understand - when you look at these they are not the small 1" leds you see at Home Despot - a 4" light looks light a solid 4" bulb from the bottom - these units are solid and well built - but 4" of solid LED with a built in transformer to go from line voltage to low voltage built right in to the fixture itself - that is the reason they are so expensive......... Although - when you picture not only the fact that they have a life expectancy of 50,000 hours - add in the cost savings in electrical usage - they really aren't that expensive in the long run - just the upfront investment. Cree Lighting is another decent source - You should be able to find these companies lighting products through any decent sized lighting store in your area. Rod

Hi Rod, Have you had any experience with the Cree dimming LED driver/transformers? I'm trying to work out if they would generate the same electrical noise that triac dimmers do.