GolfHos
 
*
October 07, 2024, 06:20:17 AM
Username: Password: Duration:

Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise

 
Pages: [1]   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise  (Read 3087 times)
0 Members and 1 Lurker/Spider are viewing this topic.
Clive
Full Metal Jacket

Karma: 77
Posts: 4358
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« on: January 15, 2007, 08:04:37 PM »

I'm looking to install some lights under the kitchen cabinets, in case the thread title didn't convey that.  I'm leaning toward LEDs because of energy usage and low heat buildup.  I also like inexpensive, though, so I'm open to halogen, xenon, or what have you.  I can probably route the wires discreetly, except of course for that last bit with the plug.  I'd rather stay away from a transformer, because my wife will not like the aesthetics.

Anyone have such lighting?  Pros/cons to any particular kind?  Leads on models, vendors or whatnot?
Logged Return to Top
spacey
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
From: Group W Bench

Karma: 98
Posts: 7733
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2007, 08:07:17 PM »

I remodeled our kitchen about 3 years ago and installed halogen (can) lights recessed in the cabinets over the sink and counters. I really like them. Three caveats- they get rather hot, they seem to have unpredictable life/bulb, and they're expensive (about $7 per bulb) to replace.
Logged Return to Top
Clive
Full Metal Jacket

Karma: 77
Posts: 4358
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2007, 08:08:24 PM »

How about xenon?


(If it's good enough for Beckham ... )
Logged Return to Top
tdcoly
Tartan Jacket
From: The home of misfits, renegades, blowhards, idiots and fools.

Karma: 10
Posts: 1279
Offline Offline

Us Dags

View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2007, 08:14:11 PM »

My kid put something like you are talking about under the 'original' cabinets in his old farmhouse.  I'll try to see what they are in the next day or two.  They do put out some nice light.
Logged Return to Top

"I'm only speeding 'cause I really have to poop"-as seen on a bumper sticker
lennyquai
Golf Shirt

Karma: 7
Posts: 324
Offline Offline

To the scumsuckers and villains: Happy 2009!

View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2007, 08:18:56 PM »

I'm having a tough time getting a good idea of what you are trying to do.  If you have space to recess the lighting, space enough to accommodate a medium socket base, you could go with the mini-swirl fluorescent lamps.

The mini-swirl lamps offer some good light output while remaining pretty cool to the touch.  That said, you need clearance enough for the base.  They are not expensive, though have a very long life.
Logged Return to Top
Aske
Lederhosen

Karma: 120
Posts: 31405
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2007, 08:23:17 PM »

Cool
Logged Return to Top

Quote
Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century.
--  Chimpy McFlightsuit, CEO of Bu$hco Industries of 'Merka
GolfHo9
Newbie

Karma: 1
Posts: 13
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2007, 08:51:19 PM »

GolfHo9 is pleased with the Xenon bar type, as shown in this link:

http://www.besthomesystem...gory=UC&type=Xen#_top

Logged Return to Top
stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie
From: Impact Crater Springs, CA

Karma: 155
Posts: 16135
Offline Offline

We're doomed!

View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2007, 08:54:28 PM »

Ours came with the house.  Hard wired 120v. Fluorescent.

Costco had some decent battery operated LED spots.  Thin, easy install.

'bout all I can offer.
Logged Return to Top
Blader
Straitjacket

Karma: 21
Posts: 2075
Offline Offline

vagazzling vajayjays since 1876!!

View Profile WWWIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2007, 07:42:09 AM »

Low voltage halogen puck lights are easy to install under cabinets.  If you have a built-in microwave (basically a microwave in a cabinet), there should be an outlet there and you can plug the transformer in behind the microwave.  Pull your microwave out and see. 

Alternately, there might be a way for you to plug the transformer into the same outlet used by your refrigerator. 

Don't know if LED's are really bright enough yet.  That's the nice thing about halogens.  I'd be surprised if they also didn't run on off a low voltage transformer so you'll have the same issue.

Logged Return to Top
Clive
Full Metal Jacket

Karma: 77
Posts: 4358
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2007, 08:50:14 AM »

GolfHo9 is pleased with the Xenon bar type, as shown in this link:
(link deleted)
This karma I got here was first purchased by your great-granddaddy.  It was bought during the First World War in a little general store in Knoxville, Tennessee.  It was bought by private Doughboy Ernie Coolidge the day he set sail for Paris.  It was your great-granddaddy's war karma, made by the first company to ever make wrist karmas.  You see, up until then, people just carried pocket karmas.  Your great-granddaddy wore that karma every day he was in the war.  Then when he had done his duty, he went home to your great-grandmother, took the karma off his wrist and put it in an ol' coffee can.  And in that can it stayed 'til your grandfather Dane Coolidge was called upon by his country to go overseas and fight the Germans once again.  This time they called it World War Two.  Your great-granddaddy gave it to your granddad for good luck.  Unfortunately, Dane's luck wasn't as good as his old man's.  Your granddad was a Marine and he was killed with all the other Marines at the battle of Wake Island.  Your granddad was facing death and he knew it.  None of those boys had any illusions about ever leavin' that island alive.  So three days before the Japanese took the island, your 22-year old grandfather asked a gunner on an Air Force transport named Winocki, a man he had never met before in his life, to deliver to his infant son, who he had never seen in the flesh, his gold karma.  Three days later, your grandfather was dead.  But Winocki kept his word.  After the war was over, he paid a visit to your grandmother, delivering to your infant father, his Dad's gold karma.  This karma.  This karma was on your Daddy's wrist when he was shot down over Hanoi.  He was captured and put in a Vietnamese prison camp.  Now he knew if the gooks ever saw the karma it's be confiscated.  The way your Daddy looked at it, that karma was your birthright.  And he'd be damned if any slopeheads were gonna put their greasy yella hands on his boy's birthright.  So he hid it in the one place he knew he could hide somethin'.  His ass.  Five long years, he wore this karma up his ass.  Then when he died of dysentery, he gave me the karma.  I hid this uncomfortable hunk of metal up my ass for two years.  Then, after seven years, I was sent home to my family.

And now, little man, I give the karma to you.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2007, 10:19:56 PM by Clive » Logged Return to Top
Clive
Full Metal Jacket

Karma: 77
Posts: 4358
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2007, 08:54:16 AM »

Low voltage halogen puck lights are easy to install under cabinets.  If you have a built-in microwave (basically a microwave in a cabinet), there should be an outlet there and you can plug the transformer in behind the microwave.  Pull your microwave out and see. 

Alternately, there might be a way for you to plug the transformer into the same outlet used by your refrigerator. 

Don't know if LED's are really bright enough yet.  That's the nice thing about halogens.  I'd be surprised if they also didn't run on off a low voltage transformer so you'll have the same issue.
Hmmm ... the microwave is a little farther down the counter, and is indeed built in.  Solidly so, but I'll see if it pulls out.

Lenny/others, the intent is more as accent lighting than worklight.  I'm hoping it can be used on a dimmer, which shoots down fluorescent; and we don't like the light from fluorescent bulbs, either.

There is some room for an under-cabinet mounting, but there would be no recession into the cabinetry.  Bit of a lip in front affords me about 2"-3", and I can further hide the lights by moving them back a little (about midway between the front edge of the cabinet and the wall).
Logged Return to Top
birdymaker
Straitjacket
From: a third world country in the making

Karma: 18
Posts: 2923
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2007, 03:55:09 PM »

mood lighting in the kitchen? Shocked

next will be the "padded" table cloth. Hump Laughing
Logged Return to Top

women are like tornados. In the beginning there's a lot of sucking and blowing. In the end, the car's gone, the house is gone..
GolfHo9
Newbie

Karma: 1
Posts: 13
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2007, 10:12:38 PM »

During his extensive research of this issue, GolfHo9 found that:

A primary consideration has to be the total wattage of all undercounter bulbs you are planning to install, therefore:

Line-voltage Halogen bulbs, though dimmable with standard dimmers, are high wattage, and the electrical load of the available circuit would not accomodate all the bulbs needed for GolfHo9's installation.

Low-voltage Halogen bulbs consume less wattage, but are not dimmable due to the transformer required.

Xenon fixtures also used a transformer, but the fixtures of this type(aforementioned) had a "high-low" function, which turned out to be adequate control in Casa GH9.

The bulb life of Xenon bulbs is greater than Halogen,they run cooler, and the replacement cost of the bulbs is less.

GolfHo9 robbed the power for the undercounter light circuit from an existing above counter wall plug, snaking a new feed up the stud cavity to a new junction box which was monted above the cabinets. From there, feed wires were run down in the inside corners of wall cabinets, concealed in 3/8" O.D. Wiremold conduit to the undercabinet fixtures. Fixtures can be connected in parallel, and you will need to jumper above the cabinets when a break in the run of wall cabinets occurs, such as over a sink or stove.

GolfHo9 cherishes the karma given earlier, and appreciates the revisionist Family History.
Logged Return to Top
Clive
Full Metal Jacket

Karma: 77
Posts: 4358
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2007, 10:18:48 PM »

... snaking a new feed up the stud cavity ...
Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
Logged Return to Top
Clive
Full Metal Jacket

Karma: 77
Posts: 4358
Offline Offline


View ProfileIgnore this user
Re: Under-Cabinet Lighting In Kitchen -- Advise
« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2007, 10:21:29 PM »

mood lighting in the kitchen? Shocked

next will be the "padded" table cloth. Hump Laughing
Just getting things ready in case Bea Arthur should visit.
Logged Return to Top
Pages: [1]   Return to Top
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Related Posts
Your Bar/Stash (NSFUtah)
Very nice. [sm_beertoast]Not going to post a pic of my  :airquotes: stash :
by Walfredo

Describe your dream house
Inside the house, I'd like:[list][li]ceilings high enough that I can swing
by Clive

Hmmm
I had the same question.PatentLighting apparatus for a vacuum cleanerAbstractA l
by Fuzzy

Your realistic house
If your wife likes to be in the kitchen, I would think it would be a good idea t
by E-A-G-L-E!

 


 
  Powered by SMF | SMF © 2001-2009, Lewis Media

Dilber MC Theme by HarzeM