FAQ
Listed below are some of the questions we are asked when preparing for an installation. Please contact us if you need any additional information before, during or after your installation.
Low Voltage Lights
Q: Where do I position the strip light under the cabinet for maximum light?
A: The ideal location is 3-4 inches back from the front of the cabinet box without the doors. This will cast the 120 degree light to the front edge of the counter top after the light rail is installed. Our SMD task lights are sent with 2 pair of mounting clips. One set for straight down lighting and the other for turning the fixture 30 degrees. This will allow you to adjust the amount of light you require in your work area.
Q: What kind of wire do I use?
A: 18/2 stranded 2 wire. This is a standard lamp cord and is available in the "box" stores, electrical supply houses and hardware stores. The colour of the wire leads on the lights are white so see if you can get white when you buy this. We stock this wire so if you have trouble finding it please let us know. Many electricians will use low voltage thermostat wire which will work fine. That is usually the type of low voltage wire they stock in their trucks.
Q: What is the best way to splice the low voltage wire when there are no connectors on the ends?
A: A crimp connector works well and is also readily available in the same stores as the wire. If you would like to purchase a small quantity from us we have packaged them in bags of 12 connectors.
Q: Can low voltage wire be buried behind tile?
A: Yes. A quick and easy way to run the wire is to cut a small groove in the drywall and push the wire in flush with the wall. One coat of drywall tape and mud will seal it all up. We use a cut off jig saw blade that cuts the groove but will not puncture the vapor barrier. A good way to think of it is that you can run this wire anyplace you would run speaker wire.
Q: Why didn't some of the lights light?
A: Most likely there is a crossed wire at the first light that did not light. With a low voltage connection you have to keep the + and - consistent from the LED driver (power supply) to the last light connection. + and - are marked on the end of the strip task lights.
Q: What size hole is needed for the LLC07 low voltage recessed cabinet lights?
A: Drill an 1 3/4 inch hole and the spring-loaded light will snap right in. The optional trim ring adds a very nice finishing touch. You should drill the hole from the inside of the cabinet to assure a clean-cut. Be sure you hold the drill straight so the light does not bind when inserted into the hole. Use of the trim ring is optional.
Q: Can I use the same LED driver for 2 lighting circuits?
A: No, each lighting circuit needs its own driver if you want to switch them separately.
Q: How do I know what size driver to use?
A: Just add up the watts of the lights you will be using. The LLC50 SMD is 5 watts and the LLC100 SMD is 10 watts. Don't forget to add in the watts from any puck lights you use to the total. The total watts for all the lights on the circuit cannot exceed 85% of the total watts of the driver. Our LED constant voltage drivers are stocked in 10W, 25W, 30W, 40W, 60W and 75W. All of the drivers we sell are constant voltage units. Larger sizes are available by request. If you have any questions about this please give us a call at 1.800.677.2698
Q: You mention in the product description that the SMD Task lights can be trimmed to size to accommodate any size cabinet. How do I do that and where do I cut?
A: The SMD strips can be cut at every set of 3 lights allowing you to trim the size by about 1.50" per cut. Please refer to the cut sheet you received with the lights to be sure the light is in the proper orientation so you cut them in the right place. There is a small black dot every 3 LEDs which indicate the cut lines. A basic mitre box and hacksaw is all you need to trim the lights. If you send your required measurements we will be glad to pre cut them for you and install the end caps. Lights will be shipped with a copy of your plan showing where the cut lights should be installed. There is no additional charge for this service.
Q: How do I turn the lights on and off?
A: There are several options for turning the lights on and off. You could switch the line voltage side of the LED driver which will turn the driver on and off. The other option is to use one of our dimming options and turn the lights on and off on the 12V side on the driver. More information is available on the Dimming Solutions page. We also sell dimmable LED transformers that will dim any of out lights using a low voltage magnetic wall dimmer that will dim your low voltage lights from the live voltage side. Please contact us for any additional information you may require.
Q: Will you assist with the layout of lighting for my new kitchen renovation?
A: We would be glad to design a layout that would work for your project. We ask that you
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or fax (780.461.1979) a copy of your kitchen plan so we can determine what you will need. If you send us your plan we will custom cut your lights to perfectly fit your cabinets at no additional charge.
LED Replacement Bulbs
There are always a lot of questions about LED replacement bulbs and how they work. We have compiled a list of the questions we get asked most often and hope you find this useful in helping to make the decision to convert to LED bulbs.
Q: How do I convert my existing fixture to an LED fixture?
A: It is as easy as changing the bulb. If you are using halogen or incandescent bulbs in your existing recessed lights (pot lights) or track lights you can just change the bulb to an LED equivalent. LED AC bulbs are available with a standard E26 screw type base of a GU10 base. A PAR30 and PAR20 LED bulb is the same size as a standard bulb. A LED GU10 may be slightly longer than the halogen it is replacing. This is never an issue with a recessed pot light but could cause a concern if you have a track light with a ring that fits over the face of the bulb to hold it in. Many are adjustable but some are not.
Q: Is it true that there is no heat with an LED bulb?
A: This is a common misconception about LED lights. It is true that an LED bulb runs significantly cooler than a halogen or an incandescent bulb. The LED bulb projects very little heat forward. If the bulb was lit for 24 hours you could touch the face of the bulb and it would just be warm. You will not be standing under an LED light and feel heat on your head. The heat is transferred to the heat sync part of the bulb. You will notice that the back of an LED replacement bulb is metal. This is the heat sync that keeps the LED chip from overheating. Because of this you want to be sure there is ventilation in the housing so the heat has a way to escape. Stay away from a bullet style track light head that encloses the back of the bulb.
Q: Why are LED replacements so expensive?
A: There is a lot of solid state technology inside the bulbs. All LED chips are low voltage so an AC style replacement bulb has a driver built into the bulb to convert AC to DC. In addition if the bulb is dimmable there is additional circuits to make the bulbs dimmable. The good news is that is installed in a pot light or track light with enough ventilation to keep the bulb at normal temperatures the LED replacement bulbs we sell are rated to last 50,000 hours. This means that the bulbs, if left on for 12 hours a day, will run for 12 years. Not so expensive when you factor in the lifespan and the energy costs.
Q: Are there limitations to LED replacement bulbs?
A: In our opinion the answer is yes. LEDs are the perfect replacement for any directional downlight. What you will not find on this site is a globe style LED that you would use in a lamp. We have tested several that claim to replace a 60W and 75W light bulb and have determined that the technology is getting close but not there yet. There are over 500 million 60W incandescent bulbs sold in North America every year so you have to assume that all manufacturers are working on a LED replacement. Several claim to have them but we think you will be disappointed with the light output and colour. They also must be able to dim. In Canada we have another hurdle and that is a bulb that has the proper legal electrical certifications. Just because it is available in the states does not mean it is approved for use in our country.
Q: Is there a warm up period for the LED bulb to reach its full brightness?
A: No! Unlike CFL bulbs, LED bulbs turn on at full power without any warm up.
If you have other questions please call us and ask. We will add them to the FAQ's to assist others. We can be reached at 1.800.677.2698.
