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Light bulb laws

J

Jg20601

Member
I am currently stcked up on the bulbs I need for the next few years for my outbuildings, I am not sure how well the curlique bulbs will last. In the cornhouse I just cleaned out the bulbs were last used in 1989... and they all still worked.

Some places have banned 100 watt bulbs, we used them to keep some buildings from freezing temps - they banned them to save electricity... so if they did that here we would either run 1500 watt heaters or 2 75 or 60 watt bulbs.

Last winter a city switched to LED bulbs for their traffic lights to save electricity. worked great until it snowed. Giant snow and ice balls formed on all the lights. Now they have the choice of putting some of the old bulbs back in at winter or installing heating units in the raffic lights.
 
(quoted from post at 09:40:54 01/20/11)
Last winter a city switched to LED bulbs for their traffic lights to save electricity. worked great until it snowed. Giant snow and ice balls formed on all the lights. Now they have the choice of putting some of the old bulbs back in at winter or installing heating units in the raffic lights.
Click to expand...

:shock: That's a good one.
I bet they never thought that there would be any negatives in making that decision. :mrgreen:
 
During the first oil embargo back in 1970's someone suggested they shut off all the boilers over the weekend to save money. They gave the man that suggested this was given a big cash award for his suggestion. When the bitter cold hit that winter just about every boiler froze over a long weekend. It also ruin the copper pipe where ever the heat was off. Later on when we needed a new air conditioner the so called energy czar wouldn't approve a purchase unless the equipment needed ac. So I wrote the justication stating the electronics wouldn't fail if it was kept at a constant temperature. I received a call from the procurement office about the AC unit I ordered from Sears. It was big window unit and she wanted to know if I would accept an AC unit in the Federal stock system. I told her sure that would be fine. Here's a picture of the vehicle we installed it in. Its known as the M7 Heavy Field Dynamometer. We had 2 Chrysler units in there and the big window unit kept it cooler than the two units. Hal
a30326.jpg
 
Such things happen when one allows know nothing cube dwelling federal bureaucrats to promulgate regulations without the knowledge AND perspective necessary to understand the ramifications of their acts.

Dean
 
I installed a 40W screw-in flourescent bulb in the garage 3 yrs ago. Couple days ago we could smell something like HOT electronics. Day later the smell was stronger. Turned ou that the 40W bulb had gone bad internally, and was burning through the composite material. Fire hazard for sure.
 
Same thing happened to me. The light in question was right behind me here in the computer room. Smelled that electrical smell and narrowed it down to the light here. Was less than 2 years old. Makes you wonder how safe thay really are.
 
Had something like that happen to me, however it went bang, blew a hole in the side, smelled to the high heavens and tripped a 20 circuit breaker. It was in a closed light fixture and I had to remove the fixture and throw it away because of the smell.
George
 
That's the ballast failing. In some cases they've been known (witness accounts) to burn a hole in the housing and shoot a small flame for a couple seconds. Supposedly no structure fires have been officially blamed on failing CFL ballasts, but I wouldn't be too surprised. It's probably a good idea to review your usage of CFLs and make sure they aren't surrounded by flammable materials.
 
Although I do have a box of 100 watt bulbs on hand I don't use them. I do use 60 watt bulbs in several locations and did just buy several boxes as they will eventually follow in the steps of the 100 watt bans. I think 2014 for the 60s, may 2012.

I have used compact fluorescent bulbs for quite a few years now. I find they are excellent for SOME applications. Though it probably shouldn't work I do use one in an outdoor post yard light and it works just fine. I went from replacing incandescent bulbs about every 6 months to replacing a compact fluorescent bulb about every 2-3 years. I've finally started dating all of the CFL bulbs I change so that I'll eventually know just how long they last.

All of the compact fluorescent bulbs that have failed for me have just quit lighting, never any other issue with them.

I think they are especially good for task lighting in task lighting fixtures such as a swing arm desk lamp. In fixtures where the light will be on for long periods of time, not on and off such as in a bathroom, kitchen, or where you need instant light in a cold area.
 
I changed all the lights here to CFLs 3-4 years ago. That because I switched to 100% solar power. Inside and outside. Never paid more then $1 for a bulb and have them in 60W,100W and 150W equivalent (to Edidon bulbs). They've worked fine, even in temps of 15F below. Had a few burn out here and there, but no big deal.

Technically many curly CFLs do indeed have filiments inside. They are sort-of hydrids. Filiment is impregnated with materials that glow, i.e. "flouresce." Some do, some don't.

The older bulbs that used to sell for near $10 each did not have filiments and many barely worked at all in cold temps.

I don't get the big deal about these bulbs. They certainly DO save electricity. For those that don't want them? Stock up on the Edison bulbs. They will never be illegal in the USA, although production will likely be more-or-less phased out. New buildings might also require CFLs. Buy them now before they become expensive "specialty" items.

I still can't figure why anybody intentionally wants to waste resources when absolutely not needed.
 
If power companies operate similar to other industries, how will they make up the lost revenues from reduced usage which maps over to reduced top line? It will still cost them the same to generate their product, whether it powers a new bulb or an old "Edison".
 
What Dean are you saying when they get a college education they educate the common sense right out of them?? If that is what your saying I pretty much agree with you some college educate people I have known where dumber then a box of rocks when it came to real life
 
The power companies aren't really making money by selling less power, they're avoiding cost of adding generating and distribution capacity. Since the existing generating stations and distribution lines are already there, there really isn't much cost to maintain them, but if they have to add new plants and distribution, they can't make up the capital outlay at their current rates. So instead of having new capital costs that won't pay off for many years, they just keep making money off the "paid for" systems.
 
I don't know of any power companies in my area of NY that make power anymore. They make their money as "delivery companies." Sort of the UPS of electricity.
 
I've pretty much converted to them. The higher Kelvin (sp) rated bulbs seem to give me better visibility with their cold blue light than an Edison bulb.

There are instances where full light is needed immediately so either the bulb manufacturers are going to have to come up with an instant curly or we'll need to have an Edison for that situation. LED's are instant but spendy.

This morning I did raplace a curly with an Edison just because I wanted full bright light NOW! It's a light that hangs in front of the pipe fitting cubbyholes in the uneated store room off of the shop and I don't especially want to wait in zero degree temps for the light to get bright so I can search for what I want. Jim
 
We"re getting very short life out of CFL"s in our bathroom fixtures. I don"t know if it"s the moisture or if the girls are leaving them on too long, but we switched about this time last year and have had to replace all 6 bulbs at least 2 times, some 3 times. In the rest of the house they seem to hold up OK, but I don"t they put out near the light. I have to have 2 lights on to read in the living room when 2 used to do.
 
We have built an addition with new kitchen and we put in all led's. They work great. Instant on and lots of light. Hope they last like they are supposed to. We have a fair bit of money in them.
 
[i:654c4848f0]"I still can't figure why anybody intentionally wants to waste resources when absolutely not needed. "[/i:654c4848f0]

It's called aesthetics.
I can't stand the sickly white color of those curly q bulbs.
And it's just another lost liberty. Welcome to the nanny state.
 
We were putting in LED traffic signals 12 or 13 years ago. Started out with the red lights only. They were originally installed for the battery powered red flash circuit that is used during power outages. I see a lot of signal systems that are now entirely LED.

I don't understand the giant snow and ice balls. I've seen snow covered lenses in both LED and incandescent systems, but my observations are limited to Southern Illinois.

I use a lot of CFL's around here. I took out all of my old flourescent fixtures that I had in the shop. Some wouldn't light if it was cold, some wouldn't light if it was hot, and some wouldn't light. Seems like I had to go around and stroke each fixture to make it come on.

Paul
 
I don't know how you guys are putting up with them in cold applications. About half of them don't come on for the morning feeding in the barn when temp gets down to freezing- do you guys have a special "cold weather" type? I'm just using the curly-que bulbs that the electric company handed out free, when we paid our bill a few months ago.
 
jdemaris,
sounds like your hydro is a copy of ours, maybe the same huge CORP. owns all hydro.
We pay for the Invoice, Delivery, debt reduction (Old Ontario 4, 5, 6 million $$ salaries and other bad investments) plus cost of hydro used.
If we use less hydro up goes our COST
If we use more hydro up goes our COST
If hydro usage stays the same up goes our COST

Look what Quebec Hydro tried with NB $5 billion then sell hydro cheaper to USA than we pay.
Where do these companies get BILLIONS when they never make a profit.
 
How am I supposed to keep my pump house from freezing in -5 below temperature with a CFL?
Can't use a warming tape as the pipes enter through a damp place and in the spring time it gathers water to 6 inches high. The ONLY thing that has ever worked is a 100 watt bulb in a socket during the winter months.
 
Just switch to a heavy-duty 100W bulb. The federal ban only affects standard 100W incandescent bulbs. Bug lites, heat lamps, heavy-duy bulb, etc are not covered.

Yet.
 
We do have 'cold start' ones available and they do start in zero temps but they still take ahwile to rev up. Jim
 
Woman dropped one on her rug, it broke and they told her it would cost 2200 bucks to clean up the mercury.
 
No curley mercury bulbs in my house. Mercury vapor and flourescent bulbs in my house are because of my choice and don't include those algore scam curley ones. I too have stocked up on the incandescent ones. Enough to last me about 3,000,000 years.

Banned 100 watters by you or elsewhere? First I heard of it. The day they ever try that or to enforce it by me, I will be shooting incandescent bulbs at them with a potato gun as they try to drive up to my house. I've got plenty of ammo, 3,000,000 years worth.

State of Indiana just passed a new law first of the year that says "No Electronics In Garbage". Must now take to recycling place, and I'm waiting for them to say includes the mercury filled curley algore scammer ones...because I know that many or most are going to put them in the trash, so buried in landfills they are going to end up. I bet the politicians in Indianapolis are expecting the same, so new law.

Mark.
 
I read lots of forum posts about premature compact fluorescent bulb failure, yet mine seem to last for years. I do only use them in fixtures where light will be on for long periods rather the being frequently cycled on and off.

I don't think leaving them on for long periods of time would be the problem creating premature failure.

I have three that are on for 10-12 hours each day. One is on a timer, one is in a dusk to dawn light, and the third is a task light at my desk. I use about the smallest wattage CFL that I can readily find for it. Currently a 9 watt I think, used to have a 7.

The light output does indeed seem to vary. I usually look at lumens for comparison. Had some folks telling me how great LEDs were but when I began comparing lumens they were horrible compared to others and the cost was outrageous.

To all I say use whatever works for you. My efforts to conserve are to the point my electric bill runs about $23-$25 per month. 180 KWH to 240 or so.
 
I had LED tail lights in my pickup and the tranny did not work. When I stepped on the footfeed it would shift up instead of down. Called Ford company and they t asked if I had LED tail lights, I said I did. I changed to regular light bulbs and the tranny works fine now. Need to ask a good mechanic about that one.
 
Speaking of traffic lights..

I cannot for the life of me remember exactly where I was (somewhere near here, I know that..) there's a traffic light, and heck if I know what kinda bulbs it has, but I myself can't see the "light" until I'm right up on it (unless it's dark) I don't know why.. I don't know if it's the bulb or what.. they have some sort of "shade" like thing on it, so maybe that's why.. I don't know..

As for them BS cfl bulbs.. YOU CAN KEEP EM. My cheap a$$ dad decided we need them in the shed.. When it's cold like it has been here (20-ish) You either a) have to turn the heat on/up for a hour to get it warm, or b) turn them dang things on 3 hours before you go to the shed, if you want to see something.

I have 100w bulbs in my shop. Used to have florescent, but they too took too long in the cold to warm up, made a awful HUMMMM and interfered with my radio.. so back to regular bulbs. I have the shed set up in "zones" and I turn on the lights needed as opposed to all of them. Sometimes there is a need for all of them, but often, the one row of lights above the workbench is plenty. During the summer, I can usually unscrew a extra bulb or 2, as I can leave the door open, allowing extra light to enter.

Brad
 
I cannot for the life of me remember exactly where I was (somewhere near here, I know that..) there's a traffic light, and heck if I know what kinda bulbs it has, but I myself can't see the "light" until I'm right up on it (unless it's dark) I don't know why.. I don't know if it's the bulb or what.. they have some sort of "shade" like thing on it, so maybe that's why.. I don't know..
Click to expand...

When there are 2 traffic lights really close together, stupid people get confused as to which traffic light to obey when one's red and one's green.

There are several intersections like that in my area. One's in front of a firehouse that's right on a corner. There are two traffic lights about 30' apart. You could feasibly be pulled up to the first light, see the second turn green, get confused, and pull into a busy intersection.
 
Confuses folk out side of Ontario when we refer to "hydro" and we are thinking electricity.
I watched the whole untility situation from the inside. The Ontario government of the time was almost as corrupt as the federal government of the time.
The closing down of four Pickering nuclear units and Four Bruce site nuclear units. Was an outstanding example of corporate and political manipulation. Any business student could write a thesius on how that was played. Made some people and businesses huge dollars.
We and our children will be paying for the effects of the shutdown of those eight units for decades.
The phase out of coal and introduction of wind & solar. Will run a close second in cost to the utility and the rate payer.
 
You can do better by using 2 60 watt bulbs.Use a clear glass bulb where glare dosent matter, you get 10 per cent more light from clear glass lamps.Look for 130 volt bulbs and well supported filaments.Better stock up.I buy from a salvage store that sell bulbs for 25 cents each.A heat tape is better if you can use it.I have some bulbs that are rated for 2500 hours,twice the usual bulbs life.I used to raise chicks in a small brooder that used a 40 watt lamp.A cfl has its place.I have one in a floor lamp and a swing arm lamp over my work bench.The bench has 2 4ft fluorescent lamps that see little use.I have a 4 ft fixture in the barn that wiil lite at zero.
 
They have a lot of small parts that can burn.Most outlets are fused at 20 amps now.The feed wires were blue from over heating on those Ive opened after they quit.It would be better if they put a 1 amp pig tail fuse in the base but that would cost the mfg 10 cents.Mark the date installed on the base.Many have a short life.
 
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