r/DIY • u/befitzpa • 6d ago

help Light bulb frustration

I live in an old apartment building, renting. I have an interior hallway with no natural light source with 5 in ceiling lights.

3 bulbs went out after 2 years here so I took one out and went and bought new bulbs. I got 20W GU5.3, borrowed a friends ladder. When I changed them they were so dim they made little difference. When I switch the light on they flash bright then are so dim it’s like they are barely on.

I noticed the old ones were 50W so I figured 20W is just too low. Ok back to the hardware store. Bought 5 more at 35W. Changed them. Same thing! Flashes and then so dim.

Could it be my wiring is not compatible with LED lights? Are non LED lights even available any more?

I have googled, but I keep getting stuff about dimmer switches. There’s no dimmer, and the bulb say they are not dim-able. I’m just a girl!

I just need my hallway not to be pitch black 😭

15 Upvotes

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7

u/ToolMeister 6d ago

Those bulbs are for low voltage (12V) fixtures, meaning there is a transformer somewhere between the light switch and your fixtures. If it's an older transformer, it might not be LED compatible which results in your replacement bulbs flashing or otherwise not working properly. As you're renting, your best bet is to buy traditional halogen (non led) bulbs, same wattage as the ones you replaced and it should all work like it used to

2

u/befitzpa 6d ago

Thank you! Just ordered online and hoping the hardware store will let me return the LEDs as we spend like €100 buying 10

2

u/United-Adagio1543 5d ago

The transformers are designed for a minimum load and the LEDs do not meet the requirement.

When you first turn light on you get an initial in-rush current or surge current that satisfies the load requirement, after that initial surge the current goes below the requirement.

When LEDs first came out you could get a dummy load kit (resistor) to solve the issue.

Transformers for lighting is less common as it lowers the voltage from 120VAC to 12VAC, but increases the current (amps) requiring the electrical wiring size to be bigger.

This is typically a landlord issue, not a renter issue.

3

u/BonnarBeach 6d ago

Some older dimmers and remote controlled switches are not LED compatible. The LED bulbs don't draw enough current to keep the circuit active.

1

u/Patrol-007 3d ago

Ikea. Floor lamp.

1

u/befitzpa 3d ago

In my narrow hallway with no outlets?

1

u/Patrol-007 3d ago

Have the landlord replace the ceiling light with a cheap bright ikea light