Electricians: Aculux light fixtures

[yeldogt]

I see that we have some electricians on the forum and I'm wondering if any are familiar with the Aculux brand of recessed lighting. The lighting designer has specified them in many areas of my upcoming project .. she lists the MR16 and LED's.

The LED's are crazy expensive .. and I'm worried about using some bulb that I can't get in 10 years.

This is most likely going to be my last crazy rehab project and I'm going to keep this place for a long time ... but .....some of the costs are insane!

 

[kd3pc]

they are a high end light/fixture and the price is typical for the features they have.

Without knowing your project or what it is you are illuminating, it is tough to say.

IF you have a lighting designer hired, why would you ask an electrician? I have hung some $3K counter lights and from the get go - asked the engineer and designer what were you thinking placing these at head height over a reception area....

Are there cheaper alternatives, for sure, but one has to weigh the compromises they present as compared to the specified lamp/fixture/technology.

As to what will be available in 10 years, anyone's guess. Design and engineering don't look at that, unless you have a sustaining engineer or maintenance group that gets to vote on what is installed....they will be responsible for that down the road.

Costs vs what you want are always an issue. Talk to your designer, now.....before it is to late to change things.

 

[yeldogt]

Kd3pc: Thanks for responding.

I'm completely rebuilding/ converting/ adding to a smallish stone 1870 church --- will become my residence. An unusual space/ project and I want much of the lighting to be interesting and as invisible as possible. Most of the rooms while not huge have 12' ceilings -- a couple are 38'.

The reason I ask an electrician: The lighting designer ... like architects .. never have to install anything and often don't have feedback as to any issues with installation.

She picked out the style without trim rings - I'm sure the plasterer is not going to love them ... I like them.

I guess I'm look for. I hate them ... the x always snaps off .. and they are a pain to position correctly .... or hopefully -- I love them! Or maybe they are nice .. but for the money I would buy ... X

Most of them are going into the more traditional rooms as wall washers and down lights where we don't want visible surface lights.

 

[tfi racing]

You will be replacing MRC16 lamps on a daily basis after the first month,more trouble than they are worth.

 

[yeldogt]

You will be replacing MRC16 lamps on a daily basis after the first month,more trouble than they are worth.

I have used them ... and I don't have any problems with them buring out -- I don't like seeing the bulb in some fixtures.

I don't like them with 8' ceiling where they feel hot shinning straight down.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Fire the designer!!!!!!

 

[cybrdyke]

You HIRED the designer, right? If you dont like something or aren't sure about something they recommended, then just tell them or ask them why they chose what they did. There's probably a good reason. If you hate it, it can likely be easily changed to something else. They wont be offended or insulted. It's your place and they will give you what you want. Your assumptions that designers and architects are not aware of installation issues is waaaaay off base. They are ultimately responsible for the completion of their projects and when any little thing goes wrong, they hear about it endlessly.
Electricians are just installers and not trained in design. No disrespect, but you need to communicate with the designer.

 

[frankush]

The LED portion will probably not be a replaceable lamp like you're thinking. Higher end LED recessed cans have assemblies that contain the LEDs, driver, ballast and a heat sink all in one. They cost as much as a new fixture. The light gets reflected off the top of the can. You can't even see the LEDs. They are nice, but out of my price range.

 

[yeldogt]

Fire the designer!!!!!!

Why would I do that? and how is that helpful ?

 

[yeldogt]

You HIRED the designer, right? If you dont like something or aren't sure about something they recommended, then just tell them or ask them why they chose what they did. There's probably a good reason. If you hate it, it can likely be easily changed to something else. They wont be offended or insulted. It's your place and they will give you what you want. Your assumptions that designers and architects are not aware of installation issues is waaaaay off base. They are ultimately responsible for the completion of their projects and when any little thing goes wrong, they hear about it endlessly.
Electricians are just installers and not trained in design. No disrespect, but you need to communicate with the designer.

I'm not saying I don't like what she has proposed .... once ordered these are not easily replace.. My experience is just the opposite of yours when it comes to designers and architects ...

 

[yeldogt]

The LED portion will probably not be a replaceable lamp like you're thinking. Higher end LED recessed cans have assemblies that contain the LEDs, driver, ballast and a heat sink all in one. They cost as much as a new fixture. The light gets reflected off the top of the can. You can't even see the LEDs. They are nice, but out of my price range.

Thanks: When I was looking over the specifications I did not understand some of the terms -- I see now that it is more of a module with a 50k life span. Looks like some of them are $600.00 .... ouch

 

[cybrdyke]

$600 ! ouch!
Is this a fixture for your house? That's gotta be one fancy fixture! And where are you getting it? I'd recommend calling local electrical supply houses for pricing.
CD

 

[yeldogt]

Cybrdyke: Yes, for my house. The MR16's look to be about 1/2 that price. Architectural fixtures are much more expensive that your typical big box fixture ... they have advantages ... price not being one of them.

The LED versions of all of these being much more expensive.

 

[frankush]

That number sounds right. Aculux is a Juno brand. Halo has a comparable product that will be priced at a similar level. Just tell your designer that you're not looking for that level of precision and want something with easily replaceable lamps at a much lower price point. In a retail environment, conference room or office lobby, that level of quality is the norm these days. Hell, even our new police department uses fixtures that are just as fancy. You just need to set parameters for your designer.

 

[yeldogt]

Frankush: Thanks for the information. I was really trying to see if anyone had direct knowledhge with the fixture and the installation.

The lighting consultant has given me various plans ... with various fixtures. I don't want the typical downlight look ... so I know this is going to be expensive. She likes the Aculux ... I'm a bit concerned about mixing halogen and the LED bulbs. The controls for the halogen are more straightforward.