1. Why should you buy the LITE-AL-XBD 7W XB-D LED MR16 Bulb?
2. CREE LED Lights - I have never heard of the light brand CREE, what is CREE? 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 7W CREE LED MR16 Bulb work with my existing 50W halogen transformers?
5. I've pluged my new 7W CREE 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 7W CREE 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 7W XB-D LED MR16 Bulb?

Small Form Factor (Size) & High efficiency. With a light output of 400 to 500 lumens the LITE-AL-XBD produces a reasonably bright light for such a small size and low power. For its size and 7W power rating it is one of the most effecient MR16 LED bulbs in its class and with identical dimensions to a traditional 50W dichroic halogen it will fit in any existing MR16 downlight fixtures. See illustrated photos and our LED downlight comparison chart to see a direct comparison of the LITE-AL-XBD light output with traditional 50W halogen.

Latest LED Technology, Reliability and High Quality. The LITE-AL-XBD uses a latest generation 2012 CREE LED produced by the renoun LED manufacturing company CREE. The US based CREE® is a NASDAQ listed US company and a market leader in the manufacture of LEDs. The 2012 XB-D LED represents the latest generation in CREE’s X-lamp LED design producing a high level of light but at a reduced cost [1].

“Designed to enable lower system costs for lighting manufacturers, the XLamp XB-D LED doubles the lumens per dollar of previously available LEDs. Built on Cree’s SC³ Technology™ Platform, the XB-D White LED delivers up to 139 lumens and 136 lumens per watt in cool white (6000 K) or up to 107 lumens and 105 lumens per watt in warm white (3000 K), both at 350 mA and 85°C.

Cree XLamp XB-D color LEDs extend the double lumens-per-dollar performance of the XB package to color LEDs, delivering up to 40% higher maximum light output than XP-E color LEDs. The combination of performance and small size of XB-D color LEDs enable better color mixing and lower system cost."

High Compatability - Plug and Play. The LITE-AL-XBD MR16 is compatable with most electronic transformers used with low voltage halogen downlights. Please see our attached compatability chart or mail us your transformer for testing. For greater efficiency and longer life please consider purchasing our 12V constant voltage LED driver. It's low profile design will also fit the majority of downlight fixtures. 

Superior Cooling. With superior cooling comes longer life. The LITE-AL-XBD is used in our commercial applications where the bulb is exposed to rigorous conditions such operating 24 hours per day. The superior cooling is enabled by the use of a passive cooling system and an open face with a heat sink area larger than other similar bulb sizes in its class. This is due to the use of aluminium perforated veins (see photo) and slightly larger form factor (47mm length vs. 37mm for halogen) that permits the transfer of heat via the convection of air from the living space past the veins and through into the roof space. This design can withstand the most rigorous condition and is used in many of our commercial applications. 

Long Life. With a LED case temperature of approximately 60°C and the of long life electrolytic capacitors rated at 105°C the LITE-AL-XBD has a theoretical life span beyond 40,000 hours or 20 years in residential applications. 

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-AL-XBD with its passive cooling system can achieve 100% silent operation with compatible transformers.

2. CREE LED Lights - I have never heard of the light brand CREE, what is CREE? 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. 

CREE®, first formed in 1987, is a NASDAQ listed US company and a market leader in the manufacture of LEDs. Like Epistar, CREE's sole focus is the development of LED lighting which assists with evolution, quality and reliabilty of products. CREE is at the forefront of LED lighting technology producing arguably the brightest and most efficienty LEDs. Whilst the CREE LEDs tend to be more expensive you will find that they will produce more light with less power. Therefore, where efficiency (lm/W) is important CREE LEDs are a perfect fit. You can find out more about CREE by visiting their website at www.cree.com.

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 7W CREE 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 7W CREE XB-D 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 7W CREE 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 7W CREE 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 7W CREE 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.