Anyone else hate the new light bulbs?

[Larry Caldwell]

I just replaced a CFL in the bedroom ceiling fixture. I installed that fixture in 1995, and this is the first time I have replaced a bulb. It's a two bulb fixture, and the other bulb is still working. The one I replaced was a Phillips. I figure almost 19 years is not bad. What I loved about those bulbs is that they were the slow brightening type sold 20 years ago, which was perfect for a bedroom light. They gave the eyes time to adjust. The new ones are all instant-on.

 

[California]

If RFI is an issue ... trashed reception on the modern flat-panel tv at home ... my wife complains it changes brightness whenever it wants. ... the bulb shows 13 watts 850 lumens: Ecosmart 400 674 from Home Depot in 8/2012.

Update on my own post.

This 2012 Ecosmart bulb is getting worse. I don't think it ever was as bright as other 850 lumen / 60w equivalent bulbs. Now it intermittently drops to 2/3 brightness for no reason while nearby bulbs burn steady. I paid -wasted- $15.02 (w tax) in August 2012. I hope Ecosmart's current production works better than this.

As somebody once said - 'You can recognize the pioneers by the arrows in their backs'. But I'll keep on trying innovative stuff. If I get a few bulbs that last the claimed 10 years that will more than pay for the failed experiments.

 

[k0ua]

Are there any Amateur Radio Operators on here (That operate HF 3-30Mhz) that can recommend a good LED bulb? Most (not all) of the CFL's I have tried are not bad, or even perfectly acceptable. Even the cheap ones I have gotten from Wallly World. I have only had to toss a couple for being too "dirty" RFI wise. But when California says he is having trouble with his LED with RFI enough to effect a Flat Panel TV, I would imagine the entire HF spectrum would be wiped out. I have an small 12 volt switching power supply that started making RFI like you would not believe. It was fine and still run the router it was hooked too OK, but talk about wiping out the HF spectrum, whew! I think if you keyed it on and off, and put a bit of wire antenna on it, you could make long distance contacts with it on CW!. I kept it (unplugged of course) as an oddity. I have never seen so much radiation from a device not intended to radiate!:shocked: So I know these things are possible, and I just don't want to risk money being a "beta tester" for bulbs that I could not stand to use in my home.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I just heard that electricity consumption in the USA has dropped in 3 out of the last 4 years. Conservation works.

 

[ultrarunner]

That plus lots of solar going in on home roof tops... have 4 on my street.

Also, the large manufacturing plants keep leaving for greener pastures.

A friend that is in management at a huge utility said the downward spiral has begun...

He said what other business encourages conservation of the product is sells and does it with a smile.


On a separate note... I sure wish I could get the $4.97 CREE Home Depot price in Washington DC here in California where the best is at least double that.

I have one all electric home in Washington State with lots of can lights.... I imagine the payback from LED would be very worthwhile.

 

[California]

when California says he is having trouble with his LED with RFI enough to effect a Flat Panel TV, I would imagine the entire HF spectrum would be wiped out.

That 2012 Ecosmart bulb may have fed RFI back into the power mains. It was equally deadly wherever I put it in the house. Second floor opposite end - just as bad.

FWIW the 2013 CREE 60w/ 9.5 watt that replaced that nasty bulb in the hall by the tv room has no effect on the tv. I would try a CREE. Particularly if you can buy them at the $4.97 east coast Home Depot price.

 

[k0ua]

That 2012 Ecosmart bulb may have fed RFI back into the power mains. It was equally deadly wherever I put it in the house. Second floor opposite end - just as bad.

FWIW the 2013 CREE 60w/ 9.5 watt that replaced that nasty bulb in the hall by the tv room has no effect on the tv. I would try a CREE. Particularly if you can buy them at the $4.97 east coast Home Depot price.

Well they are about $12.97 here.

 

[DarkBlack]

I just heard that electricity consumption in the USA has dropped in 3 out of the last 4 years. Conservation works.

You really ought to have some related info to back a statement you know you posted meant to be related to the outlawing of these simple bulbs. Got any??

 

[ultrarunner]

Larry may have read the same story I did...

"In response to tepid demand, electricity production in the U.S. fell in 2008 and 2009, amid the recession, then ticked up slightly in 2010 before falling again in 2011."



Electricity Use on Wane in the U.S. - WSJ.com

 

[cqaigy2]

You really ought to have some related info to back a statement you know you posted meant to be related to the outlawing of these simple bulbs. Got any??

Ditto about "outlawing these simple bulbs"