energy efficient bulbs

[Red Squirrel]

I use those spiral energy efficient bulbs in my lamp since they use way less power, have better light, and generally brighter. But lately I've been having this flickering issue with it, it starts acting like in horror movies. So I switched it with a spare, and it did the same thing I had tested the lamp itself and it was not the lamp, and the bulbs did flicker in other sockets too.

The only conclusion I can draw from this is that they are more sensible to cold, (its near the window, and we get -30s here) but considering they generate their own heat, I can't see it would be that. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

 

[sandorski]

I think they do that when they are dying. How long have you been using it?

 

[Goosemaster]

bad wiring?

 

[tasmanian]

They should be sensititive to heat. They are burning a gas inside.

 

[tasmanian]

Double post.

 

[KK]

that's the rising and failing you have with AC current. Its normal.

 

[Rumpltzer]

My experience with my own and a friend's house is that these little bulbs flicker when they're connected to dimming switches. The bulbs flicker even when the dimming switch is set to full brightness.

In both cases, I took out the dimming switch and replaced it with a simple on-off switch and the flickering went away.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
My experience with my own and a friend's house is that these little bulbs flicker when they're connected to dimming switches. The bulbs flicker even when the dimming switch is set to full brightness.

In both cases, I took out the dimming switch and replaced it with a simple on-off switch and the flickering went away.

agreed.

 

[sandorski]

ahhh, that's good to know.

 

[WiseOldDude]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
My experience with my own and a friend's house is that these little bulbs flicker when they're connected to dimming switches. The bulbs flicker even when the dimming switch is set to full brightness.

In both cases, I took out the dimming switch and replaced it with a simple on-off switch and the flickering went away.

It clearly states on the packages that the CFL bulbs are NOT to be used in lamps or circuits that are controlled by dimmer switches. Companies sure waste a hell of a lot of ink printing directions and warnings on packages.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: WiseOldDude

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
My experience with my own and a friend's house is that these little bulbs flicker when they're connected to dimming switches. The bulbs flicker even when the dimming switch is set to full brightness.

In both cases, I took out the dimming switch and replaced it with a simple on-off switch and the flickering went away.

It clearly states on the packages that the CFL bulbs are NOT to be used in lamps or circuits that are controlled by dimmer switches. Companies sure waste a hell of a lot of ink printing directions and warnings on packages.

:laugh: LOL

 

[Qianglong]

If your lighting has dual mode ( dim and regular mode), the light will flicker.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Nope no dimmer. Though there is a half decent amount of power being drawn from my room as I have my PC, sometimes two on, and two monitors (LCD though). Then again, probably no more then a few amps.

The bulb was only a few years old, the 2nd one was just as old, but in terms of usage, it might of burnt max a few hours. It was used in a portable lamp that I brought to dark areas whenever it was needed. Like if I had to work on the server downstairs (lightning is horrible down there) etc. That said, it did get moved around a lot and touched, not sure if that would have anything to do with it.

 

[BigJ]

The bulbs are sensitive to the cold (they will take some time to "warm-up" as opposed to instantly turning on) and older bulbs will sometimes flicker when they're going out. New CFLs that are working properly will not flicker.