Can someone explain to me these MR16 Bulbs (For house)

Seeking Help
1

I’m trying to understand the differences and potential issues when replacing MR16 bulbs in my apartment. It currently uses 12V 35W MR16s, but some have failed, and my wife had previously replaced some with 50W LED Philips bulbs that have worked well for over a year. Now, I’m unsure if I should continue using 50W replacements or switch to 35W. Additionally, I have another fixture with 12V 20W that has issues with replacement bulbs fitting correctly. Any advice would be appreciated!

2

Depending on the location (e.g., in the UK), many 12V transformers are only rated for 50 watts. If you’re staying with MR16s, consider using LEDs. 50W halogens can be equivalent to 5-7W LEDs, providing similar brightness but better energy efficiency.

3

@Ben
I’m in Switzerland, and the replacements I’ve tried are 50W (about 6.5-7W LED). I’ve noticed flickering with newer OSRAM bulbs, unlike the Philips ones that have been fine. Could this be an issue with the power supply or contacts?

4

Stick with reputable brands like Philips for reliability. 50W (or equivalent LED wattage) is common and generally preferred. Check for high CRI options for better light quality. The flickering issue might be due to the transformer or power supply not handling lower loads well.

5

@Kavi
Thanks! I think I’ll return the OSRAM bulbs and stick to Philips. The flicker is really annoying.

6

Older halogen fixtures may have worn electrical connections that don’t work as well with LED replacements. Also, transformers designed for higher wattages may not perform well with low-wattage LEDs, causing flickering.

7

You might be running into issues because your transformer isn’t optimized for low-wattage LEDs. If possible, switch out the transformer or opt for complete LED-ready fixtures for stability.

8

Frey said:
You might be running into issues because your transformer isn’t optimized for low-wattage LEDs. If possible, switch out the transformer or opt for complete LED-ready fixtures for stability.

Understood. Since I don’t own this apartment, I might avoid major changes and focus on compatible LEDs.