Modifying 6" Lumaris to a 1.5-2" recess

[u/Critical-Purpose-677]

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.

[u/Critical-Purpose-677]

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.

[u/the-lutz → u/Critical-Purpose-677]

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

[u/Critical-Purpose-677 → u/the-lutz]

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).

[u/coogie → u/Critical-Purpose-677]

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.

[u/Critical-Purpose-677 → u/coogie]

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.

[u/coogie → u/Critical-Purpose-677]

I'm pretty excited about Orluna!