LED Wafer light Warning!

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[norme]

Have been using these for awhile now. Tried both store brands and mail order cheapo’s and found them unreliable. Only use Halo now.

[barryomahony]

It's easy to find ones that are IC rated. Always read the description before you hit "Buy"

[MrKen]

3 inches of open space negates the simple plug in play install as you now have to support insulation. This is very timely. Thank you.

[scooterrockets]

It would be a strong assumption that the manufacturer is probably attempting to protect their element from hot spots or overheating internally which would require premature aging/failure. If they were capable of generating enough heat to cause igniting of materials (like the recessed cans with incandescent bulb could) then they would likely require thermal cut-offs like IC cans do.

[bradley]

What I'm not clear on from those particular instructions is whether that 3" is "AIR" space - similar to the clearance to insulation from all sides you see with certain types of can lights - or if they simply mean you can't get the electrical box through that hole without at least 3" above the hole.

It's a distinction that really matters.

[AnnaMorris]

I’m here because my husband doesn’t read any instructions but he might watch your video! 🤞

[thaddeusconnolly]

love your energy, passion and willingness to teach. I'm a carpenter but I tune in to your channel to see what's going on with other trades. Keep up the good work!

[omargarcia]

Plot twist! All of these come out of the same Chinese factory in different packaging 😅

[dennisrocker]

Thank you. The fire thing, , wow. Me thinking these things were fail proof is probably what 99% of us diy ers think. thanks

[pukeschannel]

We have used that type on and off for many years. I have never seen one that required the clearances you are talking about.

[billb.]

Great video. Also I found out the hard way that they are not easy to install in old plaster ceilings. I cut a hole and found an original plaster/lath ceiling with drywall over it for a total thickness of 2 inches. The spring arms, as they come now, will not secure the led wafer light securely. So along with the bigger ring that you suggested, it would be nice if they had a way to modify the spring clamps for thicker ceilings.

[agentmikewong]

They make these with an IC rating and they cost about 3x more then the one in your photos. Overall built better and materials look better, and even with the IC rating I still make sure there is enough clearance when installing. I replaced cans with these, as well as typical bathroom and hallway light fixtures. So far the Torchstar brand I use last about 4 years, probably 4-6 hours daily use.

[GhstDragn]

Installed Halo brand in the basement, they are a big improvement over the florescent fixtures. They are awesome for drop ceilings.

[CA-lkfd]

We’re still using the regular recessed fixtures with standard trims, and LED bulbs. My biggest concern is when that one wafer light in the middle of the kitchen with 5 or 6 more surrounding it goes out in 4-5 years, are you still gonna be able to find that exact light again? Probably not, but I bet you’ll be able to find another bulb. We have switched over to disc lights in closets, pantry, and utility room areas. Small areas where it really doesn’t matter as much when it has to be replaced.

[rycwe]

Thanks for the tip. I installed plenty of these wafer lights, mainly the ones with the built in night light

[chrism]

With over 30 years as a licensed electrical contractor and over 20 of those years as a electrical engineer all commercial and industrial, I will not use nor spec a off-brand fixture. I spec Lithonia, Cooper, Halo and LSI only, with notes as a design basis, equivalent output fixtures may be used. I've had countless building owners and contractors use a "equal to" led found online, after I suggested pay the higher price for the better fixtures, then over a short period of time I get calls about the junk fixtures failing. I designed a 1.3M sf manufacturing facility 6 years ago with Lithonia led high bays throughout the facility, Lithonia in every office and exterior wall lighting, LSI pole lighting. The high bays in warehouse areas are controlled by occ. sensors but high bays in manufacturing areas have been on 24/7 - 365 for over 5 years. I spoke with the plant maintenance superintendent a few months ago and asked how those lights have held up, he said they have replaced 4 of the over 800 fixtures. My home and detached has several Lithonia dusk/dawn led security lights, garage and helicopter hangar all Lithonia led high bays, not one issue with any of them.

[DF-tevm]

They should have a type of screen cage on the back to insure for heat dissipation area

[BryanTorok]

Other problems with these lights: If one of these fails a year or two down the road, will you be able to find that same lamp to replace it? What about color temperature? Are they all the same and will the one you buy a couple of years later have the same color temp? When we had fixtures with separate bulbs, one could easily replace the bulb

[makingtechsense]

The two biggest problems I see with the puck LEDs is a lack of a standard and a lack of warning regarding air space needed to dissipate heat. I remodeled my kitchen recently and used traditional cans with LED lights that screw into the traditional light sockets in them. I know I can replace them easily in the future without worrying about compatibility.

[cgsound]

Well as I recall all can lights need clearance be it incandescent, fluorescent, led there is clearance requirements for wood and insulation for heat dissipation and it must be followed for safety and you should always familiarize yourself with new products before installing.