From: "Roger" 
Newsgroups: alt.home.repair misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Track Lighting Question
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2004 05:41:25 GMT


"Walter Cohen"  wrote in message
news:jHQXc.17533$ZD4.10318873@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
> I want to install a 2 - 4 foot track light bar in my bathroom specifically
> because the shower in there is built into the side wall with a closet door
> sized opening.  It gets no direct light from the vanity (which is on the
> same side) or from the overhead flood lights in the middle of the ceiling.
>
> My thought is that if I place the track on the ceiling outside the shower
I
> can shine its two lights into the shower.  My wife wants me to do this
> because she says she cannot shave her legs well without the lights :)
>
> I should note that there is no glass shower door - only a white vinyl
shower
> curtain suspended from a pole across the opening.
>
> I know I should probably replace the crappy vinyl shower curtain with a
> glass door but I still feel that it would not allow enough light into the
> shower.  And that's another issue for another time....
>
> Questions:
> 1 - I was thinking a low-voltage track with lights but it seems that the
low
> voltage lights heads I already have can only take up to an MR16 50W bulbs
(I
> have two WAC SF219 heads).  The bulbs are rated at 9150 lumens.  I do not
> know if two 50W bulbs shining into the top of the shower would be
> sufficient.  Also, I'd need to get a step down transformer for the
> low-voltage lights and it is bad enough I have to try and tap off of the
> ceiling light conduit.  I have no idea where I would place the
transformer -
> I think I'd have to mount it on a ceiling joist and maybe make even more
of
> an opening in the ceiling.
> Anyone know if 2 x 50W MR16s would be enough light?
>
> 2- Would I be better served by line voltage track/lights because I could
get
> higher wattage bulbs and also I wouldn't have to worry about
buying/mounting
> a transformer?
First, you might consider a clear vinyl curtain and use existing lighting -
they have many styles of clear or slightly foggy curtains at places like bed
bath and beyond.  I use MR-16's more for mood lighting or wall lighting. You
would likely get more usable and cheaper light from standard 110v light
bulbs, either reflector style or krypton bulbs in can lights. MR-16's come
in many wattages and beam widths, so are very flexible, and might also work.
You can use regular track, and mount several mr-16 bulb sockets with
integral transformers on each can, so there is no need for a single large
transformer, altho they can be installed that way. Downside of MR-16's :
transformers sometimes buzz, and the circuit takes a special dimmer when low
voltage bulbs w/ transformers are used.