Light Bulbs (1 Viewer)

[Combat]

I was reading that as of Jan. 1 they will not manufacture any more of the old fashioned light bulbs. Only the new energy saving bulbs. By coincidence I was recently in Canada and had the misfortune to stay in a hotel room where they used those bulbs. It was like being trapped in a dimly lit cave reinforcing my belief that all change is bad. I can't wait to spend the night squinting to make out the numbers on my TV remote or reading a book by candlelight (which is brighter than these bulbs).

 

[jazzeum]

You don't really mean that all change is bad, do you? I believe that change for change's sake is not wise but some change is good.

 

[BLReed]

I was reading that as of Jan. 1 they will not manufacture any more of the old fashioned light bulbs. Only the new energy saving bulbs.......

Yes, I agree. Even though they maybe rated at 60 or 75 watts the output is dim. That's not the worst of it.
There was a U.S. factory producing the old bulbs, which lasted longer that the same bulb produced overseas.
Now none of the new bulbs will be made in the U.S. All are coming from China. Instead of paying about $1.50
for the old bulbs, now it costs me $15.00. Then I have to replace all the dimmer switches. Well in a few years
as I stockpiled three cases of 60W and three cases of 75W.

I do like the LED strip lights in display cases.^&grin

 

[Scott]

The place where I used to work (Heading for Mexico) is phasing out florescent tubes and going to LEDs in overhead lighting. They are good.

I don't seem to have trouble with the new swirly bulbs. I pick up a 4 pack at the Home Depot when on sale and use the plastic shell packaging to store burned out bulbs until I can have them properly disposed of.

 

[Combat]

You don't really mean that all change is bad, do you? I believe that change for change's sake is not wise but some change is good.

A bit tongue in cheek, but I do think with any change there are some negative consequences. I presume someone thought the use of these bulbs will save power. But when I was in Canada, instead of turning on one light and being able to see, I turned on every light in the room and it was still dim. I dislike them even if they serve their intended purpose and was perfectly satisfied with the old light bulbs. If the government wants to save energy, they should propose that all new homes have solar panels.

 

[theBaron]

You don't really mean that all change is bad, do you? I believe that change for change's sake is not wise but some change is good.

I'd modify that, to say some changes are good, but generally, I agree with you. Some change is for the better. But each change must be evaluated on its own details. This particular change is not the unalloyed good that its proponents in the media make it out to be. At the very least, I think claims about the advantages of fluorescent bulbs don't stand up that well to skeptical inquiry. For example, claims about how much electricity they save, must be balanced against the energy it takes to produce them, and also, the energy that must be expended to dispose of the burned-out bulbs.

So, yes, some changes are good, some are bad, we need to check the details.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

or reading a book by candlelight (which is brighter than these bulbs).

Oh, candles are bad, too. Combustion releases CO2 into the atmosphere. No, you'll have to read by daylight only.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

The government in Canada was quick to get on the new bulb bandwagon without considering that the new bulbs can cause fires. Or where to get rid of the mercury in the new bulbs when they die. And the bulbs are all made in China - the country with the worst industrial pollution on earth.

Terry

 

[Mirof]

Same in Europe ( no standard light bulb above 50w )
I made some calculation
In my entryway, where are a collection of prints and figures displayed, I have 3 standard bulb of 100W each ( costing 2$ each )
I like to see my stuff when coming home ( light stay on for 2-3 minutes a day )
Now the best ecomonic way, they say, is LED; today to get the same 300W, I would have to buy 5 LED lamp costing here circa 30$ each and as I have no socket enough, I have to buy 2 more ( if I find them again ) for circa 50$ each .
So investment is 5x 30$ + 2 x 50$ = 250$ to save 50% power when in use .... 2-3 minutes a day !!
Return on investment in about 320 years ..

 

[Martin Tabony]

The only bulb I could find to replace a a standard 100w was a large globe (10cm) GE 20w energy saving. It does the job but cost me £24.00 It's supposed to last eight years, we'll see!

Martin

 

[thebritfarmer]

We use them and have no problem seeing. We have also have seen a noticeable decrease in our electricity bill since the switch too.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

LED lights are the future. As my compact fluorescent bulbs burn out I replace them with LED's. Brighter light for far far less money. They give of no heat, and last thousands of hours. The perfect lights to use on your toy soldiers. They will not fade the paint like other bulbs do. They have come down in price drastically in the last four years. I remember spending 60 bucks for one bulb. Now you can buy them for 10 to 12 bucks.

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

LED lights are the future. As my compact fluorescent bulbs burn out I replace them with LED's. Brighter light for far far less money. They give of no heat, and last thousands of hours. The perfect lights to use on your toy soldiers. They will not fade the paint like other bulbs do. They have come down in price drastically in the last four years. I remember spending 60 bucks for one bulb. Now you can buy them for 10 to 12 bucks.

You can now find dimmable LED replacements for Halogen flood PAR 16s and 20s for $15 to $18. Sure they cost 4-6 times more per bulb but they only use 10-20% of the energy and last at least 20 times longer, not to mention the time saved replacing all those bulbs. They even have some standard incandescent replacements. If you use a lot of light, as we do, the change to LEDs makes tremendous sense. I am replacing each of our Halogens as they burn out for what will be the last time for decades. So while CFLs are not so good for many reasons, some changes are indeed for the better and the change to LEDs is certainly one.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

You can now find dimmable LED replacements for Halogen flood PAR 16s and 20s for $15 to $18. Sure they cost 4-6 times more per bulb but they only use 10-20% of the energy and last at least 20 times longer, not to mention the time saved replacing all those bulbs. They even have some standard incandescent replacements. If you use a lot of light, as we do, the change to LEDs makes tremendous sense. I am replacing each of our Halogens as they burn out for what will be the last time for decades. So while CFLs are not so good for many reasons, some changes are indeed for the better and the change to LEDs is certainly one.

That's a bright outlook. I think CFLs were a really bad idea and they will be short lived quickly replaced by LEDs.

Terry

 

[Mirof]

For reminder

The standard light bulb life time in the years 20 was 2500 hours minimum
In 1924 all the big manufacturers under the name "Phebus Cartel" signed an agreement to produce light bulbs with a life expectancy of 1000 hours maximum .
From 1927 only 1000 hours bulbs were produced
... Grand Theft... you say !!!

And I was mistaken ..
The max allowed on the European market today for a light bulb is 25W ( since 01 jan 2013 ) . Lamps manufacturers lobyists at work ...

And beware : lot of low priced LED radiates blue light that can damage the eye, and the life expectancy is below 10000 hours
So buy good quality, check on the package for a IRC above 80 ( best is 100 ), check for Lumen ( 100W bulb is circa 1750), check for color temperature in Kelvin ( 2700K is light under the sun in the evening, 6500K full sun at noon)( bulb is ususaly 3000K)
Best color t° for us, where we stack our collections, is perhaps 2700K very good for the best vision of colors , 2700K is also typical for halogen lamp

Best

 

[theBaron]

This reminds me to stop at the store on the way home tonight and buy up incandescents.

Prost!
Brad