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Light bulbs......

J

josh609

Member
Down here in the (finished) basement we have 3 computers 2 of which have 17CRTs that love energy, a 27inch TV, a microwave, a small fridge, a treadmill, (a pool table too) and a 5.1 stereo surround sound system which is rated 160watts, Gamecube, Xbox, PS2, N64, Dreamcast, VCR, DVD player, and a PS1. Now of course we dont have all these things running at once, but when we have the tv on, computers and the 10 60-100 watt bulbs on, somtimes the jumper breaks so we loose power until we go over and flip the breaker. So here it is, do you guys recomend florecent bulbs that look like any other bulbs for down here in the basement? I've heard they can be hard on the eyes after a while, is that true with all florecent bulbs? Here are some pictures of the basement......

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/josh_1413/PB260068.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/josh_1413/PB260069.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/josh_1413/PB260071.jpg

As you can see, we have alot of stuff that consumes power, so i'm trying to conserve as much as possible.
 
I've used flourescent bulbs in place of incandesents for a long time and swear by them. My electric bill is about 30% less than my neighbors. They can't figure why my bill less than their's. Go figure.

You need to change your amps from the standard 15 to something higher to meet your demand, or change your light bulbs. Your choice.
 
Get Power Compact Flourescent (those things with spiral/screw-in base -> actually a ballast).
They last forever (better than regular FL)
I replaced all incandescent bulbs with them in my house, it really saves your money in the long run.

As for the color rendition, you could get some "premium" PC FL with daylight color (6500K)
 
I use these, they are great. Just be sure to get the right kind in the right size, they do put out a lot of good clean light for a low watt bulb.
 
If you run 60Hz refreash on your CRT the florecent bulbs will cause flicker.
Someon said to change the breaker from a 15 to a 20, DO NOT DO THAT, unless you want your house to burn down. The wire in the walls is sized for a 15amp breaker, a larger breaker and to much load (which you have), could start a fire.
 
You really should consider having an electrician come out and install a new circuit or 2.

It will be money well spent.
You really shouldn't have everything on the same circuit.
 
Between xbassman and Googer you have the answer.
My problem and solution below.

I was having sever dips in power when the air compressor would start, the UPS would pick-up the brown out for the comp but all the lights would just about go out here in the big garage.(my little office is in the back of the garage).

Using de-oxidizing spray on the main and garage circuit breaker wiring reduced the problem to a non-issue. Every wire's clamping screw was loosened, the wire pulled, inspected, sprayed as well as the socket for the wire, then reinstalled, at tightening the screw was rocked back and forth a couple of times to be sure any oxidation had been broken through. Look at www.caig.com for tips.

If this breaker has lived a life of being reset many times i would change it out. Do not up-rate it.


...Galvanized
 
Much the same....

Keep in mind that just adding compact fourecents won't solve the core issue and may introduce a new one... CF's draw more power the instant they are turned on than the type of bulb they replace..... so you could end up popping your breaker more. 🙂

Have an electrician or someone that knows what they are doing put the lights on their own separate 15amp circuit. That's probably the easiest fix, and safest.
 
EDIT:

I'd either a) run a new line just for the lighting, or b) run a new, 30 amp line down to a new mini-breaker, and run inidivial lines to stuff (lighting, one / two outlets, etc, as necessary). How hard is the wiring to get to in your basement? (I'm in South Texas, and we don't have basements here)
 
Originally posted by: Greenman
If you run 60Hz refreash on your CRT the florecent bulbs will cause flicker.
Someon said to change the breaker from a 15 to a 20, DO NOT DO THAT, unless you want your house to burn down. The wire in the walls is sized for a 15amp breaker, a larger breaker and to much load (which you have), could start a fire.
Click to expand...


So your saying that if i had a CRT at 60Hz the florecent bulbs would hurt my eyes? So if i don't have my CRT at 60Hz the florecent bulbs will be fine?
 
i replaced all the bulbs in my house with compact florescents. cant tell the differece. i just see a big decrease in my electric bill.
 
Originally posted by: josh609
Originally posted by: Greenman
If you run 60Hz refreash on your CRT the florecent bulbs will cause flicker.
Someon said to change the breaker from a 15 to a 20, DO NOT DO THAT, unless you want your house to burn down. The wire in the walls is sized for a 15amp breaker, a larger breaker and to much load (which you have), could start a fire.
Click to expand...


So your saying that if i had a CRT at 60Hz the florecent bulbs would hurt my eyes? So if i don't have my CRT at 60Hz the florecent bulbs will be fine?
Click to expand...

He's full of crap about the flicker.
 
Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
Replace 20 amp breaker with a 30 amp 120v breaker. Or even a 40. Done.
Click to expand...


Hey AS*hat.... Are you trying to burn his house down?

14ga wiring is rated for 15amp.
12ga for 20amp
10ga is for 30amp
8ga is for 40amp
6ga is for 50amp

That's the worse advice I've ever seen here, and I hope that you don't follow it yourself.
 
Originally posted by: WackyDan
Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
Replace 20 amp breaker with a 30 amp 120v breaker. Or even a 40. Done.
Click to expand...


Hey AS*hat.... Are you trying to burn his house down?

14ga wiring is rated for 15amp.
12ga for 20amp
10ga is for 30amp
8ga is for 40amp
6ga is for 50amp

That's the worse advice I've ever seen here, and I hope that you don't follow it yourself.
Click to expand...


Yeah, that was stupid. I've got to quit posting while out of it on meds. My post was editing to what I would do.
 
Originally posted by: goobernoodles
Uhh no. Florecent bulbs can cause flickering and screen shaking, depending on how close they are to the CRT.
Click to expand...

Depending on how close they are? Why? Because the speed of light through air is just oh so slow eh? Why do I smell more BS? Well at least it smells somewhat better than smoke.
 
Originally posted by: electron
Originally posted by: goobernoodles
Uhh no. Florecent bulbs can cause flickering and screen shaking, depending on how close they are to the CRT.
Click to expand...

Depending on how close they are? Why? Because the speed of light through air is just oh so slow eh? Why do I smell more BS? Well at least it smells somewhat better than smoke.
Click to expand...


flourecent's can cause interference with many electronic devices... So he's telling the truth. They emit both RF and emf, and when one has a flaky ballast can cause some serious side effects for other devices.
 
Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
Originally posted by: WackyDan
Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
Replace 20 amp breaker with a 30 amp 120v breaker. Or even a 40. Done.
Click to expand...


Hey AS*hat.... Are you trying to burn his house down?

14ga wiring is rated for 15amp.
12ga for 20amp
10ga is for 30amp
8ga is for 40amp
6ga is for 50amp

That's the worse advice I've ever seen here, and I hope that you don't follow it yourself.
Click to expand...


Yeah, that was stupid. I've got to quit posting while out of it on meds. My post was editing to what I would do.
Click to expand...


😛
 
Originally posted by: electron
Originally posted by: josh609
Originally posted by: Greenman
If you run 60Hz refreash on your CRT the florecent bulbs will cause flicker.
Someon said to change the breaker from a 15 to a 20, DO NOT DO THAT, unless you want your house to burn down. The wire in the walls is sized for a 15amp breaker, a larger breaker and to much load (which you have), could start a fire.
Click to expand...


So your saying that if i had a CRT at 60Hz the florecent bulbs would hurt my eyes? So if i don't have my CRT at 60Hz the florecent bulbs will be fine?
Click to expand...

He's full of crap about the flicker.
Click to expand...

Do you always assume something you don't understand is crap?
Florecent bulbs flicker at 60Hz, thats because they run on 120 volt 60Hz power. CRT's with a 60Hz refreash under florecent lights will flicker and give you a headache. Run 72 or higher refreash and you won't have any problems.
It sounds like the wiring in your basement is substandard. Rule of thumb when wiring a house is to figure 1.5 amps per device (wall outlet or light fixture), and only use 80% of the breaker capacity. If you can get a new circuit installed to run your computer, that would be your best answer. If not, anything you can do to reduce the load on that circuit will help. As GY pointed out, your breaker could be getting weak, replacing it with the SAME SIZE AND TYPE of breaker might help, their only a few bucks, unless you have a Federal Pacific pannel.
 
Originally posted by: Greenman
Originally posted by: electron
Originally posted by: josh609
Originally posted by: Greenman
If you run 60Hz refreash on your CRT the florecent bulbs will cause flicker.
Someon said to change the breaker from a 15 to a 20, DO NOT DO THAT, unless you want your house to burn down. The wire in the walls is sized for a 15amp breaker, a larger breaker and to much load (which you have), could start a fire.
Click to expand...


So your saying that if i had a CRT at 60Hz the florecent bulbs would hurt my eyes? So if i don't have my CRT at 60Hz the florecent bulbs will be fine?
Click to expand...

He's full of crap about the flicker.
Click to expand...

Do you always assume something you don't understand is crap?
Florecent bulbs flicker at 60Hz, thats because they run on 120 volt 60Hz power. CRT's with a 60Hz refreash under florecent lights will flicker and give you a headache. Run 72 or higher refreash and you won't have any problems.
It sounds like the wiring in your basement is substandard. Rule of thumb when wiring a house is to figure 1.5 amps per device (wall outlet or light fixture), and only use 80% of the breaker capacity. If you can get a new circuit installed to run your computer, that would be your best answer. If not, anything you can do to reduce the load on that circuit will help. As GY pointed out, your breaker could be getting weak, replacing it with the SAME SIZE AND TYPE of breaker might help, their only a few bucks, unless you have a Federal Pacific pannel.
Click to expand...

It is you who doesn't understand. I've assumed nothing. I know exactly what I'm talking about. If 60hz flicker gives you a headache, you must be getting a lot of headaches since your fluorescent lights are flickering your entire room at 60hz hmm?
 
depends on the type, some cheaper older ones sucked. the ikea ones i have aren't hard on the eyes. plus they are cheap and come in many types. crts are hard on the eyes😉 plus its better to have lights from many sources, task lighting, ambient lighting..blah blah. less harsh and puts light where it needs to be the most. you should change em just to save power..and the crts after a while,those just suck down the electricity.
 
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