Long lasting light bulbs?

[Chu]

Hello all. Every time I'm home from break (like right now), the first thing I usually have to do is change half the light bulbs in the house for my parents. Meanwhile, they are literally living in the dark it seems :frown: I am wondering, do those long lasting light bulbs really work, and if so, can anyone reccomend a specific brand/good place online or irl to buy? I went downstairs to osco to check the offerings, but the only ones they had were pretty dim (90 watt) and not that long lasting (3000 hours). I know there is better then that . . .

-Chu

 

[Rkonster]

I don't know how well those long lasting light bulbs work though. I bought a bunch of Phillips Halogena build guarenteed to last two years. Two of mine have already died, and I purchased them a few months ago. Just thought I would let you know my experience.

 

[Spikey217]

I have one of those Philips in my bathroom as a test to see if they really last. I haven't changed it yet. I don't remember when I installed it either but it's been a long while.

 

[QTPie]

I doubt if those long lasting bulbs really work.
They may work under some conditions, imo, i.e. you just leave them on constantly in normal room temp. and without experiencing any viabration.

 

[Chu]

>>

I doubt if those long lasting bulbs really work.
They may work under some conditions, imo, i.e. you just leave them on constantly in normal room temp. and without experiencing any viabration.

<<

I was thinking similar things, except for two points. I noticed MOST are the filiment type bulbs, which I assume are crap. Some are obviously not being lighted by a filiment, one type being the super-expensive LED light bulbs I remember seeing a LONG time ago, and the other are . . . well . . . those weird spiralish ones. Was wondering how either of those behaved if all the filimant ones are crap.

-Chu

 

[OZEE]

"Long-Lasting" light bulbs tend to be derated -- i.e., they are really designed for (typically) 130V, then used in 120V systems. The heavier coil in the bulb then lasts longer before burning up. However, the light output also tends to be lower than the rated values.

Do they work?? Sure ... I've put 'em on radio antenna towers so I wouldn't have to climb 'em as often to replace the bulbs. (The airports get a little pissy about such things...)

Another option, though a little $$, would be to look at the compact fluorescent bulbs ("those weird spiralish ones"). They use less energy to produce the same lumen output. And the expected life on them is typically fairly long.

BTW, 3000 hours is long-life for an incandescent bulb. Typical ratings for incandescents are about 1500-2000 hours. Remember, that's "ON" time. Figuring 4 hours (max) on-time / day, 3000 hours is over 2 years...


(p.s. Used to work as engineer in Philips Lighting manufacturing)

 

[bmacd]

my ceiling fan blows light bulbs once every two months. I hate it!!!!

-=bmacd=-

 

[Pliablemoose]

Go to Wal Mart & buy some compact fluorescent light bulbs, stay away from Lights of America brand though; & you won't have to change them again till after you graduate & you'll be saving them money...

 

[AnMig]

Any suggestions for "VIBRATION RESISTANT BULBS"?

I have a garrage door light that is always going out (every 2-3 months). I think its from the vibration from the door.


peace

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: AnMig
Any suggestions for "VIBRATION RESISTANT BULBS"?

I have a garrage door light that is always going out (every 2-3 months). I think its from the vibration from the door.


peace

could be why my ceiling fan bulbs go out...

-=bmacd=-

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I hate it when the bulbs blow out on my standing floor lamp because of vibration when I move it around. I've gone through about 6 bulbs on a 3 bulb thing. I just have 1 that works now. Can anyone explain why the filaments have to be loosely attached? I'm thinking it's to get you to buy more bulbs.

 

[MacBaine]

Another vote for Compact Fl. bulbs

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

i have become a big fan of the flourescent bulbs... Kinda pricey, but they save energy and burn out less frequently .

 

[outriding]

yea go with the c.f.

i switched the whole house over and the electric bill went down $5 a month and i have some that are over 5 years old.

 

[dakata24]

id also stay away from the felt compact flourescent bulbs. ive had 2 go out on me in under a year..

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: AnMig
Any suggestions for "VIBRATION RESISTANT BULBS"?

I have a garrage door light that is always going out (every 2-3 months). I think its from the vibration from the door.


peace

They make Anti-Vibration light bulbs just for this and they are available at Walmart.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: MacBaine
Another vote for Compact Fl. bulbs

 

[Chu]

Cool, thanks for the advice. Anyone know a good place to get c.f. online? The nearest walmart for me is more then 20 miles away (guess they don't want to pay Chicago's property tax).

 

[Chu]

Actuially, one more question. Was brousing homedepot.com for these. How do the watt raitings work? I noticed that these bulbs seem to top out at 25V, which I assume is equal to a much higher filimant light bulb raiting.

-Chu

 

[vegetation]

I have changed all bulbs to GE CFs in the house. There is NO difference in light quality, the bulbs are the same color and light intensity as their rating would suggest. Only downside is that the bulbs need about a minute to warm up to full capacity; the first 10 seconds or so will only give about 50% output. In high light on/off areas (like the bathroom) this situation can be solved by adding an additional bulb or two.

 

[conjur]

I have some of those Phillips long-life bulbs. They come on rather dim which I guess is what makes them longer lasting (no big burst of light/power to blow them when you first turn them on)

The one in the back porch light has been there for 18 mos. now

 

[SHoddyCOmp]

Ive got 2 of those CF lights in my ceiling light, they make pretty decent light and havent been touched in a LOOOOOONG time. The only problem is theyre flourescent and can take a few seconds to buzz on........