Hi my friends,

I would like to gather some information and opinions here....I and my wife already decided to choose downlight type with built-in choke because of
a) easy to install...can install ourself...
b) save labour cost for installation....one downlight market price for installation around rm4-10..depends on which type to use...
c) future if bulbs burn, can change ourself easily...

but, I heard a lot of people said that with built-in choke, downlight will burn VERY EASILY...they used the terms "VERY EASILY".."VERY FAST"..and "CHANGE BULBS CHANGE UNTIL POOR"....I am very scared.....

Anyone, please give me some valuable helps on this matter...Is it a wise decision to choose downlight with built-in choke?

thanks a lot..

This post has been edited by tiensong: Oct 21 2011, 10:36 AM

That one is choke, not transformer.

One 18watt PL-C is about RM 7 - 9 per bulb, Choke is about RM 5+- depend on brand and quality.

With build in choke/ballast bulb is about 2x the non build in choke price.

From my personal experience the build in choke lifespan are much shorter. You can ask the electric / lighting shop, they can confirm this too.


Build in choke give instant start. Changing bulb is easy.

External choke give flicker start, changing bulb is easy.

Please la my parents house has like 30-40 downlights, change 3 every year. Don't be so gullible and believe what "people"
say easily,

Oops...already changed to choke...

errs...not so understand....build-in choke means do not come with a "white" square things? Only a downlight with a bulb....

This post has been edited by tiensong: Oct 21 2011, 10:37 AM

Yup. Build in is without choke.

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Added on October 21, 2011, 10:46 amAnd I find a good quality downlight reflex much better light than cheap RM 20 downlight.

This post has been edited by weikee: Oct 21 2011, 10:46 AM

So your conclusion is:

Build in choke
- give instant start
- changing bulb is easy
- short lifespan

External choke
- give flicker start
- changing bulb is hard - may need to hire electrician
- long lifespan

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Added on October 21, 2011, 10:51 amExternal choke why so big one but I can't see anything on the build in choke type downlight...where the choke hide?


This post has been edited by tiensong: Oct 21 2011, 10:51 AM

External choke, is not hard to change bulb. Is as easy as build in choke. You need to know if the bulb is pull our or twist out.

Only changing choke is slightly harder. Usually choke can last very long. If you are a DIY person, changing choke is not hard.

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Added on October 21, 2011, 11:05 amBuild in choke/ballast bulb because it use electronic components, choke is mainly coils so is bigger.

And another disadvantage of choke, it sometime generate some hummm noise especially for cheap choke, or aged choke.

This post has been edited by weikee: Oct 21 2011, 11:05 AM

Can let us know?

hhmm.....anyone please share how frequent the bulb burn if using built-in choke downlight? depends on luck?

Comparing my new house master bedroomt (bigger room), when i only switch on 3 downlight is brighter than my current house room switch on 4 downlight.

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Added on October 21, 2011, 11:30 amFrom my personal experience. My room have 4 downlight, with 2 bulbs each. All are external choke. Switch on average 5 to 6 hours per day. I only change one bulb after 6 years of using. And that was only done early this year.

This post has been edited by weikee: Oct 21 2011, 11:30 AM

Depend on brand and how many hour you use perday.

I have CFL type (built in choke) and External choke in my home. The external choke bulb can last 8-9 yrs with average 1/2hr perday ON.

While CFL last about 2yrs with 12hr ON. I using hitachi brand with have longer lifespan compare philip and china 1.

Both are easy to change. Either screw in or plug.

Is choke same as ballast?

Is it the age of the downlight? The reflex will get dull after sometime. Compare new 1.

they called choke as 火牛，am I right?

no 火牛 means built-in choke?

sorry, i am lack of knowledge on electronic...haha

Could be too, but i remember my current room never been that bright (comparing to my new house). Could be my house new downlight reflector are better too.

What is that chinese meaning? "Fire cow"

Actually it call choke ballast. Either short it to choke or ballast whatever. Those bult in is electronic ballast which you don't see a big choke in the bulb case. It just have electronic component.

Yeah. If not too sure just ask is choke = "fire cow"

Oh, I saw some long downlight using PLL light, this one use electronic ballast. Is very bright too.

Fire cow is cantonese...

Care to let us know what brand is the downlight and where to get ?

That can reduce the pcs of downlight instal and save the cost.

I still recommend to put same quantity as plan, but put more independent switch so you can save energy usage by turning on what you need..

Check this link, http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1918768/+260 phoenix69 when to the shop too.

This post has been edited by weikee: Oct 21 2011, 03:06 PM