Recommendation on undercabinet lighting

Status
Not open for further replies.
tom baker

tom baker

First Chief Moderator & NEC Expert
Staff member
Location
Bremerton, Washington
Occupation
Master Electrician
My sister has just completed a down to the studs kitchen remodel. With the cabinets up, she now wants undercabinet lighting.
What mfgs can you recommend and are there any LED types?
I don't know if getting in the wall for the power feed is possible. A class 2 cable can be used if the lights are 100 watts are less.

I'll see her (Michigan) in a month. I don't do side work so I hope its done by then.
 
i've yet to find an LED under-cabinet fixture with a suitable output.

i've been using xenon lights w/ dimmers. xenon's get very hot, so the dimmer allows the HO to cut it down when they don't need them on full bright. and the color temperature matches incandescent.

i buy whatever the lighting supply house has in stock.

the xenon strips also give you a more even coverage than halogen puck lights.
 
tom baker said:
What mfgs can you recommend and are there any LED types?
I don't know if getting in the wall for the power feed is possible. A class 2 cable can be used if the lights are 100 watts are less.
Click to expand...
Got Money??? LED's are just so dang pricey for any worth thier salt.

Straight switched? Dimmed? Since you haven't located an enoumous can for drivers I'll assume you're looking for intregral drivers fed on 120?

http://www.colorkinetics.com/support/userguides/eW_Profile_PC_120V_Install.pdf
 
brantmacga said:
i've yet to find an LED under-cabinet fixture with a suitable output.

i've been using xenon lights w/ dimmers. xenon's get very hot, so the dimmer allows the HO to cut it down when they don't need them on full bright. and the color temperature matches incandescent.

i buy whatever the lighting supply house has in stock.

the xenon strips also give you a more even coverage than halogen puck lights.
Click to expand...

I recommend Xenon lights as well.
I've had bad luck with the halogen puck lights.
For a while a few years ago I had a high failure rate with Seagull brand.
 
tom baker said:
My sister has just completed a down to the studs kitchen remodel. With the cabinets up, she now wants undercabinet lighting.
What mfgs can you recommend and are there any LED types?
I don't know if getting in the wall for the power feed is possible. A class 2 cable can be used if the lights are 100 watts are less.

I'll see her (Michigan) in a month. I don't do side work so I hope its done by then.
Click to expand...

Tom,

I've use the Juno line of UC lights and have not had any problems with them. They go up real quick, I have installed a lot of pro hallegen lights and they put out a lot of light, they tend to get a little warm. Juno now has the same lights in LED, I have not seen a demo of them at my supply house yet and the cost bettween the hallegen is around 15-20% more. Good luck on the pro-bono work Iv'e had my share with the family.
 
JWCELECTRIC said:
Tom,

I've use the Juno line of UC lights and have not had any problems with them. They go up real quick, I have installed a lot of pro hallegen lights and they put out a lot of light, they tend to get a little warm. Juno now has the same lights in LED, I have not seen a demo of them at my supply house yet and the cost bettween the hallegen is around 15-20% more. Good luck on the pro-bono work Iv'e had my share with the family.
Click to expand...

I also have the trac 12 and recommend them. in the wall wiring must be chapter 3. I also have seen the LED for this system and they are impressive.
 
I guess I'm old-fashioned, but I still prefer fluorescent UC lighting. It runs cooler, it's shaped for the application, and gives more light per watt than incandescent.
 
LarryFine said:
I guess I'm old-fashioned, but I still prefer fluorescent UC lighting. It runs cooler, it's shaped for the application, and gives more light per watt than incandescent.
Click to expand...

I agree.

Many of my customers dislike the color because it doesn't match the recessed lights.


Many of them are also more concerned with looks than functionality.
 
roger3829 said:
You can dim Xenon, you can't dim fluorescent.
Click to expand...
Well, yes and no. Some fluorescents can be dimmed, so say the rumors, but I haven't found the need to dim them in UC use.

They make great night-lights and help avoid retina burn-out when you enter the kitchen for that late-night snack or beverage.

You can get fluorescent to hum, you can't get xenon to hum:smile:
Click to expand...
So, teach them the words! :D

frog.gif


"Everybody loves the Michigan Raaaaaaag!"​
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top