1. Why should you buy the LITE-AN-PC7 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb?
2. Epistar LED Lights - I have never heard of the light brand Epistar, what is Epistar? Is it good?
3. LED Light Life-time - What does the LED Life mean? Will it really last 25 years or more?
4. Electronic Transformer Compatability - How can the 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb work with my existing 50W halogen transformers?
5. I've pluged my new LED MR16 Bulb into my old MR16 connector and halogen transformer but it does not work?
6. LED Light Flicker - I've pluged in my new LED MR16 Bulb but there is a flicker when turned on.
7. LED Light Buzzing Noise - I've pluged in my new LED MR16 Bulb but there is a buzzing noise when it is turned on.

1. Why should you buy the 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb?

True 50W Halogen Equivalent. The Lite 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb is one of the few true LED downlight bulbs that has an equivalent output to the traditional 50W dichroic halogen which customers are typically replacing but uses 80% less Energy. Daylight colours produce more light than a 50W halogen. 

Compatability. The LITE-AN-PC7 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb will function with most existing household electronic transformers so simply plug and play. No electrician is required. 

Efficient Cooling. With 10W power consumption and very high lumen output come a certain amount of LED generated heat which must be dispersed via the heatsink to maintain reliability and good life of the Epistar LED. The LITE-AN-PC7 comes with a somewhat massive multi-fined heat sink to ensure efficient cooling of the LED, reliable operation and a long life span. 

Silent Operation. Some LED bulbs (e.g.,Philips Master LED downlight) contain small fans which emit a faint noise which can be bothersome in a quiet room. However, the LITE-AN-PC7 with its passive cooling system can achieve 100% silent operation with compatible transformers.

Reliability. The COB LED design and large multi-fined aluminium heatsink permits efficient cooling of the LED and internal driver leading to reliable and lasting performance.

2. Epistar LED Lights - I have never heard of the light brand Epistar, what is Epistar? Is it good?

In LED lighting rather than having particular brands for the whole bulb or lamp like Philips or Osram, most branding refers to the manufacturer of the LED inside the globe which is arguably the most important part (read also section on power supplies). Some well known examples include CREE, Epistar, Bridgelux, Philips and Osram. 

Epistar is the largest manufacturer of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in Taiwan and possibly the world. It is likely that some if not all of the LED lights you come across have an Epistar LED. Being such a high volume producer Epistar is able to provide cost effective solutions for LED lighting by providing a comprise between light output and cost. As a result Epistar products tend to be very good value whilst having to use slightly more energy than say a more expensive CREE product. 

Although a relatively recent company being formed in 1996 Epistar's formation was coincident with the development of blue LEDs in 1994 which saw the evolution of LED lighting as we see it today. Epistar's sole focus on LED and Solid State Lighting technology from the beginning has led Epistar to being one of the leading LED manufacturers in the world producing very reliable LED products. You can find out more about Epistar by visiting their website at www.epistar.com.tw.

3. LED Light Life-time - What does the LED Life mean? Will it really last 25 years or more?

Yes, theoretically the LED in your LED bulb will last more than 25 years or even "light for life". In fact it will continue to glow at lower levels well past its L70 lifetime at 30,000 hours or so, to 100,000 hours which is literally a life time. However, in reality the limiting factor of the life of your LED bulb is the internal or external driver/power supply, particularly if you use your exisitng electronic halogen transformer which has probably already had a hard life working at close to maximum capacity.

However, depending on the quality many drivers and power supplies or transformers are rated at 20,000 to 30,000 hours so theoretically the LED bulb should still last 20 years in residential applications. The capacitors we use in our LED drivers or LED power supplies are special long life capacitors rated at operating up to 105°C. In reality they generally will operate between 30°C to 40°C and below there maximal rated voltage. So with this, together with the self-healing properties of the capacitor, they do have the potential to last for many years.

In reality, the theoretical life span for LED bulbs has not been fully tested in many applications given they have only really been around for 5 years or so in high power applications. However, a life span of 20,000 to 30,000 hours is well accepted in the industry and by government organisations. Many of you probably still have an old radio, cd player or computer or other electronic device which is still working after 10 years or so and still runs quite happily. Take for example radios in cars which may still be running after 20 years or so in an old car. That device like LEDs and power supplies contains solid state electronics and without the problem of moving parts is really quite durable.

Therefore, we expect your new LED light bulb to potentially offer you "Light for Life". 

4. Electronic Transformer Compatability - How can the 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb work with my existing 50W halogen transformers?

The output of your electronic transformer is 12V AC which means the output voltage is alternating in a sinusoidal pattern. LEDs require a fixed direct current or stable voltage so the 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb contains special circuitry in the base known as a bridge rectifier and transformer which converts the alternative current to direct current and adjusts the voltage and current level to a suitable level to drive the LED. A maximum of four to five bulbs per 50-60W electronic transformer is recommended.

5. I've pluged my new 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb into my old MR16 connector and halogen transformer but it does not work?

First try plugging in a different MR16 bulb to ensure there is not a problem with the new LED bulb. Although faults with the 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb are uncommon they do occur occassionally. You may also need to replace the MR16 connector as these frequently carbonise and degrade due to the combination of high temperature and current caused by the old 50W halogen. The halogen transformer may also be faulty or incompatible. 

6. LED Light Flicker - I've pluged in my new 10W Epistar LED MR16 Bulb but there is a flicker when turned on

It is likely that your electronic transformer is not compatible so you should consider purchasing a compatible electronic tranformer or a 12V DC constant voltage driver. Alternatively you may have plugged in a non-dimmable LED bulb into a dimmable circuit or you may be experiencing mains voltage fluctuations. If you are running only 1 LED light bulb on a single transformer or dimmer circuit you may need to add an additional bulb to assist with switching on the transformer or dimmer circuit since dimmers are traditionally used to dim at least a 30W or 50W light bulb rather than a single 7W or 10W LED light bulb. If you cannot connect additional LED light bulbs on the same circuit then another option is to use a Clipsal 32E2CFLD CFL low voltage dimmer.

7. LED Light Buzzing Noise - I've pluged in my new LED MR16 Bulb but there is a buzzing noise when it is turned on

The LED buzzing is due to instabilities in the AC electronic transformer leading to harmonics and the resulting buzzing. It should not be a problem but is irritating. In this sense it is likely that your electronic transformer is not compatible so you should consider purchasing a compatible electronic tranformer or a 12V DC constant voltage driver. It is also worth checking the connections bettween the LED bulb and the electronic transformer. Sometimes the MR16 connector can degrade and carbonise leading to intermittent contact and a buzzing type noise.