Affordable LED modules to use with LutronRadio Ra2 dimmers

8 years ago

I am installing Radio Ra2 throughout my house and the price of the LED lights seems crazy. I've gone back and forth with my designer and the electrical supplier and the best price they will give me is $55 per module. That doesn't include the junction box or the trim which bring the price up to $75 each.

There must be some cheaper way than to spend $80+ (after tax) per downlight. I need to spend $7,000 on basic downlights like I need a hole in the head. Can anyone recommend a product and/or supplier where I can get Lutron-compatible dimmable LED (no humming/flickering/premature cut out) without spending a fortune on lighting?

My designer wants 4" LED and I prefer if a square trim is available but I can live with round if it will save money.

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David

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

The Lutron website has a list of lights that work well with their dimmers. You can also call Lutron up for help (as the final end user)

Lights compatible with RadioRA2

The Cree CR and LR lights have the trim piece attached, so the parts are

The housing
The CR4 or CR6

The cost of a typical CR6 + housing is under $50. The CR4 + housing is about the same price range. There are other options - Feit, Halo, Sylvania, ... that could have a lower price point.

The dimming performance, light spread, CRI, glare, ... for led lights will vary from vendor to vendor ( & between product ranges from the same vendor) unlike incandescent lights.

Any line voltage wiring you put in will work for LED lighting since the total power draw is significantly less than that for either an incandescent or CFL. Most lighting circuits will use 14 gauge wire which will be more than sufficient.

While it would be nice to have smaller aperture lights, physical constraints - height of the ceiling, serviceability and actual output (too bright/ glaring) could make a better case for a larger aperture.

Having said that, taking a historical perspective ...

Compared with costs ~ 5 - 6 years back, a good CFL down light could cost anywhere between $70 (non dimmable) - $150 (dimmable) while a LR6 down light would be about $120 (purchased with discounts).

Once put in, the led lights will not be touched for at least 5 - 10 years unlike incandescents or CFLs.

You could do the simple calculation I described in my earlier post to get a sense of things and perhaps speak with your designer to gain some comfort that the design you currently have would work.

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Comments (9)

anno
8 years ago
I am looking forward to the replies. How are you determining placement? In which rooms are you installing the lights?
David
8 years ago
Have you considered using the Cree CR4 lights for 4" cans? The Cree recessed lights (CR/LR) work well with the RadioRA2 6NA dimmers.

The following link has more information.

creebulb 4" lamp
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uscpsycho
Original Author
8 years ago
@anno I have a lighting designer who is determining placement. These are basically going in every room of the house.

@David I have not considered those lights. But looking at the link they appear to be retrofit screw in type lights. I need new construction modules. Also they are only 575 lumens. My lighting designer dropped me down from what she originally wanted down to 750 lumens to try to reduce cost. I think she'll have a heart attack if I propose 575 lumens. Also need 3000K and these are 2700K.

Is there a Cree option that meets those specs?

I've got my electrician breathing down my back because he's done with everything but the lights and wants to move on to another job. But I just can't let myself believe that $75 is the cheapest price for LIGHT BULBS (basically).

HELP! :-)
David
8 years ago
Several things
1. The Cree lights (CR/ LR series) can be used in both new construction and retrofit situations. There is no difference for the lamp.
2. Differences in the can housing types- new construction or retrofit. The former is nailed into the ceiling joists while the latter is clipped onto the ceiling board.
3. The Cree website has a number of recessed can lamp options which range from a light temperature of 2700k and up, output of 575 - 1000 lumens (for the larger can lights).
4. The smaller the light the more the material cost. A 6" can + CR6 will cost less than a 4" can + CR4. The install price should be the same.
5. The CR4 or CR6 (@575 lumens) work very well for ceiling heights < 10'. Lutron dimmers will cut the max output by 5% (which is not noticeable). A very simple rule I use to get an estimate of the number of cans is to get the area of the space to be lit multiplied by the desired lumens per sq ft divided by the stated max output of the can light.
eg :- 10 (length) x 20 (width) x 20 (lumens per sq ft)/ 575 (output) = 4000 / 575

giving ~ 7 cans (max)

Hope that helps. The following link could be more helpful

LED recessed guide
uscpsycho
Original Author
8 years ago
My lighting designer is always correcting me because I use the wrong terminology. But my understanding is there are no cans. I'm getting modules which have the "can" and bulb as one unit an the actual bulbs are not replaceable.

So this is the type of thing I'm looking for. What my designer currently has speced is DRD2 from DMF Lighting.

So what can I replace this with that will save me money? Or are there any websites I should be going to that are known to have great prices on lighting?
David
8 years ago
I looked at the DMF lighting website and as far as I can tell, there are 3 pieces -
1. Module - the lamp
2. Trim piece
3. Housing - can
To get a great price, the quantity purchased has to be large i.e. - to outfit a large commercial property.

Possible alternatives
1. Use fewer DRD2 lights.
2. Have a mix of Cree lights and DRD2 - DRD2 lights only in the main areas, cheaper lights in other areas.
3. Use residential options that are typically represented at your local lighting centers / Home Depot/ Lowes...
4. Alternate lighting - cove lighting, ...
uscpsycho
Original Author
8 years ago
The reason for the DRD2 is that they are compatible with Lutron dimming. Are Cree lights going to play well with Lutron? Is the stuff at Home Depot going to be compatible? My understanding is that most LED lights suffer from humming and/or flickering and/or premature cut out with Lutron dimmers. It's unlikely anyone at Home Depot is going to be able to authoritatively tell me if any of their lighting options will work well with Lutron.

Which brings me back to my original question. What else can I get that will work with Lutron?

You suggested Cree and said it can work with new construction or retrofit can. Can I use Cree with the DMF housing and trim?

The wiring for the lighting has been run assuming 750 lumens so I can't pay to have all that work redone. It can ask my lighting designer if I can go lower but I suspect that is going to result in inadequate illumination so I need to focus on finding something that's at least 750. And I need to do it pronto.

Thanks for your help.
uscpsycho
Original Author
8 years ago
I see that Cree makes a KR4 that seems to meet my needs but that is a $200 option and I think that's just for the lamp. Perhaps $75 is actually a good deal for the can + module + trim. It just seems like a ridiculous amount of money to spend on one light. The fact the KR4 (and others) are in the $200 range seems insane. Your lighting budget would have to be pretty massive to fill an entire house with that.

Affordable LED modules to use with LutronRadio Ra2 dimmers

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Affordable LED modules to use with LutronRadio Ra2 dimmers

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