New light bulbs Grrrrr...
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 60
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New light bulbs Grrrrr...
I thought the new fluorescent bulbs were supposed to last 5 years. . In a little over a year I have replaced at least 10 of these pieces of crap. I was just wondering if anybody had any similar experiences. I think all the ones I have are GE's. PMTFO!!!!
Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,635
Likes: 4
From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
I have had two burn out in the last year and change. We are getting better mileage out of them than standard bulbs, but I am not completely convinced that they are the "cat's meow" so to speak.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
The new flourescent bulbs usually last longer but my experience is some will blow a lot sooner thna expected. Almost all the new ones have something like a 5 or 7 year guarantee. So keep the guarantee paperwork and receipt. Most big stores will trade you new bulbs if you have the paperwork.
I have been using various compact flourescents for almost 20 years, much to my wife's chagrin. I have had a few bulbs last many years and a few will pop in the first year.
I have noticed that enclosed light fixtures will cause bulbs to burn out quick. If there is little or no air circulation, the electronics will over heat and blow. You will notice that strange burnt plastic smell and maybe even see brown plastic. I had the worst results with those funny stairwell lights where there is a metal grate on the wall with the bulb inside a "box" with the light showing thru the grate. Flourescents in these "boxes" get pretty hot and have short life. So I use much lower wattage for those. For example if the box says 100watts, I use a bulb that gives off less than 60 watts light or is rated for less than 15watts power used.
So be sure to mount flourescents in a well ventillated socket. Use the proper rated wattage in most fixtures and keep your paperwork.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I have been using various compact flourescents for almost 20 years, much to my wife's chagrin. I have had a few bulbs last many years and a few will pop in the first year.
I have noticed that enclosed light fixtures will cause bulbs to burn out quick. If there is little or no air circulation, the electronics will over heat and blow. You will notice that strange burnt plastic smell and maybe even see brown plastic. I had the worst results with those funny stairwell lights where there is a metal grate on the wall with the bulb inside a "box" with the light showing thru the grate. Flourescents in these "boxes" get pretty hot and have short life. So I use much lower wattage for those. For example if the box says 100watts, I use a bulb that gives off less than 60 watts light or is rated for less than 15watts power used.
So be sure to mount flourescents in a well ventillated socket. Use the proper rated wattage in most fixtures and keep your paperwork.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,958
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Indiana
I've had pretty good luck with CFL's so far. Not one burn out yet and my kids are constantly leaving the lights on.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 0
From: Fallon, NV
I would like to see cheaper LED's perhaps, but I still like good old incandescent light. I don't like flourescent light. No matter what color you make it it seems harsh to me. When you can't get regular bulbs anymore maybe I'll go back to oil lamps.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
My experience with CFLs is, they fail in less than a week or they last FOREVER....No in between.
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The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
I experienced the same thing. One cfl pot light in my kitchen lasted maybe 6 hours, the rest of them are still going strong a year later.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Over the last few years I have changed lights that burn out in my house to the CFL's. I've yet to have a CFL burn out.
I read somewhere that they don't last as long if they are installed a certain way - I think it was with the base up as it would be in a ceiling fixture.
My only problem with the CFL's is that they can't be used where you have a dimmer switch. They'll figure that out and solve it one day I'm sure....
I read somewhere that they don't last as long if they are installed a certain way - I think it was with the base up as it would be in a ceiling fixture.
My only problem with the CFL's is that they can't be used where you have a dimmer switch. They'll figure that out and solve it one day I'm sure....
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,151
Likes: 0
From: Moonlight Moose Enclosure
I spent 300.00 putting those curly *******s in my motel and I am now *this week) using Reveal as I have gotten better feedback. I tried just reg GE bulbs and just too harsh in small rooms. Reveals are great.
Back to the new ones. They suck. I had every one blow within one to three months. I would replace em and evn replaced several lamps because I was told by company it must be my lights...wiring...cloud cover...wrong lottery number....every excuse but why they wont work.
Save your money and buy reg bulbs.
Back to the new ones. They suck. I had every one blow within one to three months. I would replace em and evn replaced several lamps because I was told by company it must be my lights...wiring...cloud cover...wrong lottery number....every excuse but why they wont work.
Save your money and buy reg bulbs.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
I've started using them over the last year, and they seem OK. Only one I've lost is a floodlamp and I have it on a motion detector -- they said not to do that(I read later).
I even found some at Menard's that were rated for dimmers. Have only had them for about a month, but they're hanging in there. Don't really dim until you nearly switch them off.
However, some places are trying to tell you that if you break one you should replace the section of carpet because of the mercury. While I agree that mercury is not a good thing, I think that some folks are really overreacting in this case. Probably not a bad idea to do a careful cleanup, however.
As for the LEDs, I bought one for my downstairs hall light and was quite disappointed. It was supposed to be a 40w equivalent. I think that it probably is, only in a more focused area in front of the lamp. It doesn't give anything like the light from a 40 w bulb OR a 40w CFL.
I even found some at Menard's that were rated for dimmers. Have only had them for about a month, but they're hanging in there. Don't really dim until you nearly switch them off.
However, some places are trying to tell you that if you break one you should replace the section of carpet because of the mercury. While I agree that mercury is not a good thing, I think that some folks are really overreacting in this case. Probably not a bad idea to do a careful cleanup, however.
As for the LEDs, I bought one for my downstairs hall light and was quite disappointed. It was supposed to be a 40w equivalent. I think that it probably is, only in a more focused area in front of the lamp. It doesn't give anything like the light from a 40 w bulb OR a 40w CFL.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 1
From: The Star-Club, Hamburg
I have one lamp with a CFL, right beside the easy chair in my living room. It's a 3-way bulb, and it does'nt really put out enough light to read by. It's been in the lamp for about 3-4 years now, and still going, but when it blows, it's getting replaced with an incandescent bulb. I have a pretty good stockpile of them, and the light they put out is far better for my old eyes to see by.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: wichita kansas
I think the incandescent bulbs are going to be out of production in a couple of years. I replace all my bulbs with the CFL and have mixed results. The do last longer, but not the 5 or 7 years. I have 4 that have failed sitting on the desk so far. When I replace them I usually take a sharpie and mark the date. As for being enclosed I haven't had a problem with that. My youngest only turns off his light when he goes to bed and the bulb is inside a globe and no problem, same with the kitchen bar light. I just replaced one of the lights in the bathroom this week though.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,151
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From: Moonlight Moose Enclosure
My guests complained the lighting was either too harsh or not enough with the curly bulbs. They just couldnt hold on like the reg kind.
Our electric co op put out a flier about the myths of the new light bulb clean up should one break. It stated that you just sweep it up or vac up and move on. There is need to panic, call Haz Mat, fire dept etc. But who knows. I am no finding out Clorox causes cancer and should be avoided at all costs...what next?
Our electric co op put out a flier about the myths of the new light bulb clean up should one break. It stated that you just sweep it up or vac up and move on. There is need to panic, call Haz Mat, fire dept etc. But who knows. I am no finding out Clorox causes cancer and should be avoided at all costs...what next?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 4
From: northern kentucky
I believe most of the CFL's that I have used have come from Sam's. Most last about three years or so. Every once in a while you get one that doesn't last, but then again wasn't that the way with the incandescent bulbs???
Come on you mean to tell me no one on here has put in old style light bulb in and blew right away. It happens with lots of things light bulbs especially.
Yes it can and does tee you off when the light bulb cost $6 but oh well take it back to the store.
For those that are new to the CFL here us a big gripe about them next to cost. The bulbs actually need to warm up first. When you turn them on they are a bit dim for about 1-2 min.
Come on you mean to tell me no one on here has put in old style light bulb in and blew right away. It happens with lots of things light bulbs especially.
Yes it can and does tee you off when the light bulb cost $6 but oh well take it back to the store.
For those that are new to the CFL here us a big gripe about them next to cost. The bulbs actually need to warm up first. When you turn them on they are a bit dim for about 1-2 min.