questions about recessed lighting.

[John Gregory]

We are remodeling our basement. We wanted to use some 3" recessed lights that are low voltage. But the cost is pretty high per fixture due to the transformer on each fixture. We found some 110V 3" cans at HD for about $8 each, using 50w halogen. Since this fixture and the low voltage fixture uses 50w Halogen lights. What would be the advantage, if any, to using low voltage over regular, 110v?

Thanks

[Tyler Howell]

LV essentially allows you to put your fixture any place with out concern of shock. You can run LV wires under cabinets over them, and out side with out many restrictions.
Just a reminder that recessed lights of any kind give off quite a bit of heat and to strictly adhere to the spacing requirements.
PS LV is going to drop a bite of voltage over a long run. 110 AC is probably the best transfer mediun in a house hold setting.

[John Gregory]

LV essentially allows you to put your fixture any place with out concern of shock. You can run LV wires under cabinets over them, and out side with out many restrictions.
Just a reminder that recessed lights of any kind give off quite a bit of heat and to strictly adhere to the spacing requirements.
PS LV is going to drop a bite of voltage over a long run. 110 AC is probably the best transfer mediun in a house hold setting.

Thanks Tyler,
They will be installed in a suspended ceiling in our basement, so they will not have any insulation around them.

[Mike Henderson]

You've probably thought of this, but you could put fluorescents between the floor joists as recessed lighting. They would run cooler and give more light than incandescents. If you have any concerns about shock, you can put a GFCI on the lights - just make sure you have at least two circuits so you aren't left in the dark.

Mike

[Kent Fitzgerald]

John, are these for accent lighting, or will they be the primary light source? What's the ceiling height?

The reason I ask is that my basement had a low (7') suspended ceiling with receessed lights, and the result was very shadowy, cave-like illumination. It might be fine if you want "mood" lighting, but for general use, surface mount fixtures (e.g. wraparound fluorescents) will provide more even diffusion.

[John Gregory]

John, are these for accent lighting, or will they be the primary light source? What's the ceiling height?

The reason I ask is that my basement had a low (7') suspended ceiling with receessed lights, and the result was very shadowy, cave-like illumination. It might be fine if you want "mood" lighting, but for general use, surface mount fixtures (e.g. wraparound fluorescents) will provide more even diffusion.

The ceiling height is about the same as yours. Primary light will be lamps, floor lamps or table lamps What is the dimensions of your room and how many lights did you use? We are thinking of useing 10-12 of these 50 watt 3" fixtures. Our room dimensions are 18'X12'

[John Gregory]

You've probably thought of this, but you could put fluorescents between the floor joists as recessed lighting. They would run cooler and give more light than incandescents. If you have any concerns about shock, you can put a GFCI on the lights - just make sure you have at least two circuits so you aren't left in the dark.

Mike

Before this remodel we had fluorescents, but the LOML wants an updated look. The room is mostly used for TV viewing, we will have floor and table lamps too.