Florescent Bulb Question-- Better safe than Sorry

jams · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 02:35 PM

I have a question about replacing regular incandescent bulbs with florescent bulbs.

I want to replace my incandescent bulbs with florescent bulbs to gain more light (lumen's) My fixture is rated at 60w max and I want to put in a florescent bulb that gives off the equivalent of 100 watts. The florescent bulb only uses about 23 watts of power.

I am assuming the rating on the fixture is based on power consumption and the heat that a regular incandescent bulb give off to operate safely. It probably has no bearing on the equivalent light given off????

In the end, is it safe to add a brighter florescent bulb.

Ralphy · #2 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 02:46 PM

It takes less watts and generates less heat. So, sure go for it.

jams · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 03:27 PM

Glad to hear my logic was well......logical!

Gunner · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 03:45 PM

The only thing to watch for is that some higher-power CFLs do not like being operated base-up, or even base-sideways for some models. These are typically the 120-200W equivalents. There are also cautions about running these bigger lamps in completely enclosed fixtures.

If you're going to use anything bigger than a 100W equivalent, read the package carefully to see about limitations.

But you're right, yes, in general that all that matters is the actual current draw of the lamp. Since CFLs are all a fraction of the power usage of their incandescent equivalents, it's a non-issue. If a lamp has a size warning on it, you can pretty much ignore the warning unless you are going to put a big honkin' CFL in a small fixture. Those warnings refer (usually) to the heat generated by the standard bulbs, and even big CFLs only generate a fraction of that heat in their base.

HI Cobra · #5 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 06:55 PM

One other thing to be aware for now is that a specific type of CFL is
required when you use it in a light that has a dimming feature. Just read
the package to be sure it is compatible with your intended use.

Gunner · #6 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

One other thing to be aware for now is that a specific type of CFL is
required when you use it in a light that has a dimming feature. Just read
the package to be sure it is compatible with your intended use.

Yes, it will be easy to identify: it will be three to four times as expensive as all the others.

The big shortcoming of CFLs.

mln385 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 06:10 AM

I always find it odd how these lamps are considered environmentaly friendly over the incandescents.

All these CFL'S are supposed to be properly disposed of just like Battery's.
These lamps have mercury in them and you can not just discard them in the trash like an incandescent. Or at least you are not supposed to.

Ralphy · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 06:17 AM

Another problem is cold weather, they do not like working in cold enviroments. Also start up, they take a minute to reach full intensity.

trularin · #9 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 06:53 AM

You might want to know the Green bulb ( florescent ) may not last as long as the incandescent.

We replaced all the bulbs we could and within a year, they all had stopped working.

A very expensive experiment that had a bad ROI.

I am looking for inexpesive LED bulbs.

1ntCobra · #10 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mln385

I always find it odd how these lamps are considered environmentaly friendly over the incandescents.

All these CFL'S are supposed to be properly disposed of just like Battery's.
These lamps have mercury in them and you can not just discard them in the trash like an incandescent. Or at least you are not supposed to.

I found that Home Depot stores accept CFLs for recycling. They have a special drop off for them near the "return" section of the store.

I have yet to figure out the proper way of recycling a normal Florescent bulb though as I have a couple of them that burned out recently. I figure they would be just as bad to trash as a CFL.

They do last a long time for me with the exception of cold temperature. They died quickly in my garage, but are OK in my basement. I switched back to regular bulbs for my garage. I do have a bunch of upside down CFLs in light fixtures. I don't use CFLs in anything with a dimmer switch.

Hmm, I do have 4 upside down recessed lights that were at least 100W in my 2 story family room that have all burned out. I guess I bought the wrong type. However my wife is happy with them out as she thought the room was too bright with them.

Gunner · #11 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mln385

I always find it odd how these lamps are considered environmentaly friendly over the incandescents.

Because they produce around five times as much light per watt consumed, and have a typical service life about 5 times that of an incandescent.

They do have their limitations in use, and need special disposal, but they're a very green alternative.

They're also a passing stage. The solid-state stuff is coming up fast and is around four times more efficient than CFLs, with at least a comparable lifespan and far fewer restrictions in use and disposal. They're just pricey right now and there aren't strong reasons for most people to move to them from CFLs - at least, not as strong as those for the move TO CFLs.

bomelia · #12 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 10:32 AM

I think all flourescent bulbs have mercury in them. I seem to remember playing with the mercury from broken bulbs when I was a kid. Yeah, I know, explains a lot.

Mike

Bryan Wilson · #13 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 11:04 AM

In Australia it is ilegal to use or sell incandecent globes

so a rep from my power company came around the other day and replaced all the incandecent lamps in my house with 11watt CFL's.

And having two light fitttings in my lounge room with 5 lamps in each I now have 10 11watt CFL's and you need sunglasses in the lounge. Also I cant dim the lights as the dimmer doesn't work with CFL's

Wayne Maybury · #14 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 02:04 PM

I have a few of them and so far I haven't had any problems. I have 3 outside on a timer and in the winter they take a minute or two to really light up properly. I have at least one that is upside down and it has operated that way for about 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 2 or 3 years in my office with no problems.

It is all but impossible to buy regular light bulbs here now. I have several dimmers in our house so I will have to figure something out for them as the regular lights burn out. I have looked at 12 volt LED's for my boat but they are really expensive.

Wayne

Scott S · #15 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 12:54 PM

Be very careful when replacing one of the spiral CFL lights, if you don't grab them by the base they WILL break in your hands...
It took me two times to figure that out.

Aloha

Scott S

Mark Husar · #16 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 09:15 PM

For a 60 watt incandescent, try to find a 23 to 26 watt compact.
When looking, try to find a color temperature that suits your task.
I have found that the 5000 kelvin lamp has a really nice glow to it. Easy for my 56 year old eyes to see with. Makes reading hustler a lot more fun!!