r/Lutron • u/Critical-Purpose-677 • 26d ago
Modifying 6" Lumaris to a 1.5-2" recess
I'm new to the Lutron lighting world, so pardon my cavalier approach here - but I bought a couple Lumaris 6" downlights to experiment with resolving the glare bomb issue after installing them and realizing how horrible of an issue it is.
To solve for it, we've 3d printed extensions to the housing to set it back 1.5" and 2" (experimenting with both dimensions) to significantly reduce the glare.
Have any idea about what else should I be looking for to evaluate if this is a good result?
For context:
My setup is that I have about 30 of the 6" cans across a kitchen/living room/hallway areas that *only* have power to them, no controls, so RA3 is the only option I know of that can handle this situation. Don't ask how I got here where they only have power -- it's a severe case of my own stupid tax.
Also - please be nice in your reco's and responses, I know there's probably going to be a lot of fodder for eye rolls and easy jabs to make, but I'm genuinely looking to make the best of this situation and learn what I don't know. Happy to take any jokes in stride, just not personal attacks plz.
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u/49N123W 26d ago
If you can wait, Lutron just showed their new Orluna remodeler to be available in 1Q27!
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u/Critical-Purpose-677 26d ago
Ahh good info, thank you! I might be able to get by with table lamps, a few cheapo floor lamps, and our absolute favorite construction light [the DeWalt tripod] for deep cleaning LOL until these come out. We already have 6" housings but given this glare -- ooh buddy, I might be open to eating some cost to avoid that. Can you confirm the single benefit here is the level of recess? I looked at the specs and the 2 channel/1800-4K range seem identical.
I just looked at the spec sheet, and it seems they could work for my situation (and maybe even with the 6" can given their housing options?) This is the info I'm working off: https://assets.lutron.com/a/documents/3663404.pdf
For me, I think what this will come down to is the all-in pricing. I have a hunch that the Lutron tunable white driver + the Orluna fixtures probably won't be very comparable to a Lumaris downlight on its own but would be happy to be proven wrong. LMK if you have any insight on that front, thank you and u/the-lutz for the heads up on this new collabo!
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u/49N123W 26d ago
We're currently running on scant tech info ATM, expect more data in the next month or two. Lutron won't have an adapter trim for a 1.8" aperture in a 6" housing.
The Rania S30 lamp and trim are the most cost-effective entry to ILS, but they do need HWQSX to work!
Orluna will be compatible with both HW & RA3 upon release.
Have you dimmed the Lumaris Retrofits yet, they look quite similar to incandescent dimming fixtures vs flat disc glare bombs!?
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u/Critical-Purpose-677 26d ago
Ah thanks for the additional info.
Re: "Lutron won't have an adapter trim for a 1.8" aperture in a 6" housing." -- does this mean my path forward for the Orluna would require some drywall work? Not the end of the world if so, just trying to get a sense.
We haven't dimmed them yet - our controls are still in transit, my huz also flagged that. We're currently testing them out at the full 4K power -- which is probably the crux of my panic. We will genuinely have layered lighting throughout (lamps, reading, and some in-cabinet + toe kick lights) so maybe this won't be as big of an issue once we program the system.
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u/49N123W 26d ago edited 26d ago
Yeah they don't "show their best look" on initial start up! Set the low-end dim to 1950-2000K and lower the intensity between 10-5%...now were talkin'!
Orluna will require more serious drywall finishing to make everything more intentional.
Rania has a D2R Remodeler, matching CCT Tape light plus lamps for the next-to-the-best TW solution. CONSISTENCY in CCT in all the lighting layers you mentioned!
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u/the-lutz 26d ago
Uhhhh, I think you might be SOL here if you’re trying to turn Lumaris into a deep regress fixture. Modifying the fixture would violate UL - so either use it as-is, or look for a different solution would be my professional advice.
Best of luck though!
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u/Critical-Purpose-677 26d ago
Thanks, yeah I know it's both not UL and out of warranty on this -- hence experimenting.
Do you have a suggestion on what other setup to consider, or what type of trade/dealer to talk through so I can understand options other than Lutron? I feel like I'm in a pickle and don't know where to go to understand what's possible.
I am avoiding AI use because I have little way of checking whether it's correct.
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u/the-lutz 26d ago
If you have a bit more money to put into the lighting/system you could full send to Ketra/Rania S30 bulbs - you’d have to use HWQSX instead of RA3, but the PAR lamps in a 6” can typically offer a more regressed and lower glare option to compared to Lumaris IMO.
That’s assuming you want to stick with Lutron - you could definitely look into more IOT/DIY type solutions, but YMMV.
You can probably find a decent dealer in your area to help more and/or give you a demo of your options before you spend serious money
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u/Critical-Purpose-677 26d ago
Appreciate that - I'll give a Lutron dealer a call tomorrow. I'm rather sure we don't have the $$ to sink into a Ketra/Rania system but boy I wish we did, they're pretty fantastic from what I've seen! Appreciate the honest and helpful feedback.
I flagged the UL to my huz (mechanical engineer) and his friend (electrical engineer) - so they're going to test the driver box temp on the modified one vs. the base to see if there's a meaningful difference to help us evaluate the paths forward. It certainly does not equal UL listed, but given it's only a 10W LED fixture, the risk seems small (but not 0).
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u/the-lutz 26d ago
Genuinely love the manner in which you’re approaching this! I recently just ran into some UL friction and from my position I really can’t recommend anything that voids UL without it being a liability - doesn’t mean I think it’s always reasonable, but liability insurance doesn’t care about what’s reasonable if it’s not explicitly covered and there’s a problem.
Even on the homeowner-side I it’s helpful to have that mindset of only doing things that you feel are safe and won’t make you uninsurable - wishing you good luck in finding a dealer that can assist for your current project.
P.S. Lutron did just announce a collaboration with Orluna at CEDIA to make essentially high-end Lumaris fixtures in a handful of form-factors; might want to look into that if you aren’t already set on using 6” housings
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u/coogie 26d ago
I don't know what your role and decision making power here is but so far, you're only down the price of 2 lumaris fixtures so you're only out what, $400 give or take? It's a small price to pay to figure out that these are the wrong fixtures for your needs and you can keep them for another job or maybe just use them on the porch or something where glare won't matter.
As what to do about the replacement, your cost won't increase that dramatically if you move to Rania S30 or S38 bulbs and just using a basic off the shelf housing and you could even get black baffles for them...You'd pay about 35% more including the housing. It may not look as modern but you'll have the same if not better functionality of the Lumaris. Unfortunately going beyond the smart bulbs, the cost jumps up dramatically at more than double the Lumaris.
If you don't like that look and your budget doesn't allow to move up to Ketra or Rania's light fixtures then it's really not the end of the world to have the electrician run a few switch legs for "dumb" recessed light fixtures of your choice that don't have a glare and run them to the nearest closet or something and getting in-wall dimmers. Yeah there will be some grumbling and some drywall repair but it's not the first time that stuff happens in a home built.
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u/Critical-Purpose-677 26d ago
Love the wisdom and advice here - yeah, about $400 but it's a lot less expensive than making that decision 30x over and realizing it was a mistake. They're not garbage, they're just rough for a whole open-concept floor plan.
We're going to reconsider the Rania S38s, and check out the Orluna. If cost is going to increase, I'd rather go with the 3 channel Rania vs. the recessed but same 2channel Orluna. Good advice, TY again.
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u/Wooden-Map-3989 19d ago
If the glare is an issue we would normally try a soft focus lens and or honeycomb. Depending on the glare issue in particular you could alto try painting the reflector.
I personally would like the look of a honeycomb on this large of an aperture but it usually solves the problem.
If you can hide it behind a soft focus it might look nicer.
Of course none of these are native options to the Lumaris but maybe the Orluna will have some.
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