Ok - perhaps I'll take this route if the bulbs blow. Would you share your source for the transformer, bulbs and technique to convert please?
The bulbs are the ones that look just the same as the supplied bulbs and are normally only available in 12V, you can get these in a variery of colours, daylight etc BUT if you get the cheap ones you can just set the white balance so it doesn't matter and saves you plenty. I just buy the bulbs from Asda (the smart price ones cost less than a £)
The transformers should be available at any lighting shop or from CPC @ Preston
HERE. You want either two transformers OR one that is big enough to handle BOTH bulbs (I prefer TWO).
Transformers capable of powering a single bulb are actually on special offer at the moment @ £2.22+vat each (or £1.72 if you buy 10
) - part number LA0308107. These particular transformers are actually dimmable too.
Basically these transformers are all wired up for you! There is a double insulated mains wire and a pair of 12V feed wires.
This is what you do:
Take your lamp and disassemble the in-line switch so that you have the mains plug, piece of mains wire and in line switch as one assembly. Now attach the in-line switch to the mains wire coming out of the transformer . (this is the one with a blue and brown wire encased in a black sleeve and it does not matter which way round the wires go).
Now get the lamp and either take it apart then connect the two 12V wires to either side of the bulb holder (either way round does not matter - remember the bulb goes in either way round). Alternatively if you do not want to mess too much with the lamp you join the 12V wires from the transformer to the remains of the mains wire leading to the light (remember this is just 12V now so no major hassle, it just looks less professional and slightly untidy
If you must do this then you can use crimps and insulation tape, solder the wire and use heat shrink etc - it matters not).
This is the easiest method and the cost of one transformer and 4 bulbs is less than the cost of one 240V bulb !!!
DISCLAIMER: Remember you are playing with mains electricity and although this is REALLY easy if you are not entirely confident in what you are doing then get a grown up to do it :bonk:
