Fluorescent bulb life

[JDgreen227]

Have a question for the electrical experts here...back in the spring of 1990 I was wiring up my new detached garage and installing lights. I was broke and wanted to have the most wattage for what little money I had left, so I used el cheapo $7 two-bulb fluorescent fixtures (shoplites) that plugged into switch controlled overhead outlets. Someone looked at my hookup and told me, "those lights are a stupid choice, the bulbs will only last a few months because you will be switching them on and off all the time".

Well, here it is 16 years later, and those lights have gone through at least 5840 on-and-off cycles (at one time per day). I was cleaning the bulbs this morning for the first time ever and at least half of them have never been replaced. Most of the ones I replaced were because they broke, not because they burnt out.

I'm surprised the bulbs have lasted so long, is this type of service life normal? (40 watt bulbs, electronic ballast)

Thanks for your input.

 

[JDgreen227]

Have a question for the electrical experts here...back in the spring of 1990 I was wiring up my new detached garage and installing lights. I was broke and wanted to have the most wattage for what little money I had left, so I used el cheapo $7 two-bulb fluorescent fixtures (shoplites) that plugged into switch controlled overhead outlets. Someone looked at my hookup and told me, "those lights are a stupid choice, the bulbs will only last a few months because you will be switching them on and off all the time".

Well, here it is 16 years later, and those lights have gone through at least 5840 on-and-off cycles (at one time per day). I was cleaning the bulbs this morning for the first time ever and at least half of them have never been replaced. Most of the ones I replaced were because they broke, not because they burnt out.

I'm surprised the bulbs have lasted so long, is this type of service life normal? (40 watt bulbs, electronic ballast)

Thanks for your input.

 

[_RaT_]

A good quality bulb is about 20,000 hours. The difference in quality can make a huge difference in to lumen output as well as the color.

 

[_RaT_]

A good quality bulb is about 20,000 hours. The difference in quality can make a huge difference in to lumen output as well as the color.

 

[flwiii]

Flourescent bulbs are rated to last longer and use less electricity than incandescent bulbs.
Like RaT said, the high quality flourescents are rated up around 20,000 hours. The el cheapos run around 8,000 hours. All of which is way beyond incandescents.
Most incandescent lights are rated between 500 and 2,000 hours. I would say that flourescent will generally outlive incandescent.

 

[flwiii]

Flourescent bulbs are rated to last longer and use less electricity than incandescent bulbs.
Like RaT said, the high quality flourescents are rated up around 20,000 hours. The el cheapos run around 8,000 hours. All of which is way beyond incandescents.
Most incandescent lights are rated between 500 and 2,000 hours. I would say that flourescent will generally outlive incandescent.

 

[heehaw]

we built this house in 1986, and as far as i can remember, i just replaced the 2ft bulbs in the bathroom for the first time: i can't even get close to a guess on how many hours use, but still, 20 years is nice. i have used the same shop lights you used, for years, no problems with their life span either.
heehaw

 

[heehaw]

we built this house in 1986, and as far as i can remember, i just replaced the 2ft bulbs in the bathroom for the first time: i can't even get close to a guess on how many hours use, but still, 20 years is nice. i have used the same shop lights you used, for years, no problems with their life span either.
heehaw

 

[MossRoad]

Light bulbs, both regular and flourescent are goofy!!!! I agree that a lot of it has to do with the quality of the bulb and how it is built. Also has a lot to do with the fixture and the switches, in my opinion.

We have regular light fixtures in our home that blow bulbs every 4 months or so. We also have a four bulb fixture in our kitchen. Those are the first bulbs on in the morning and the last ones off in the evening. We have been in the house for 10 years and I've never changed them. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Light bulbs, both regular and flourescent are goofy!!!! I agree that a lot of it has to do with the quality of the bulb and how it is built. Also has a lot to do with the fixture and the switches, in my opinion.

We have regular light fixtures in our home that blow bulbs every 4 months or so. We also have a four bulb fixture in our kitchen. Those are the first bulbs on in the morning and the last ones off in the evening. We have been in the house for 10 years and I've never changed them. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif