RFI from Cree LED bulbs?

[k0ua]

Has anyone tested/evaluated the new CREE LED replacement bulbs?

They are the next generation of the original that came out about two years ago and do not cost as much.

Just wondering if the lower price means something was compromised.

I have bought several of the new "4 flow" cree design. They seem to be clean RFI wise. So far all are working fine. Yes they are a few bucks cheaper. Also Cree/Home depot has cut the price in half on the 65 watt flood BR30 replacemnts I had bought one at about $20, and they are maybe $11. and a little less if bought 4 at a time. All so far so good.

 

[ultrarunner]

Really appreciate your feedback...

The skeptic in me was wondering if anything else was cut besides price.

Good to know because I have recommended the first generation to a lot of happy people... they are getting harder to find.

 

[Bird]

It figures that the price would come down . . . . after I replaced every light bulb I could at the higher price.:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

It figures that the price would come down . . . . after I replaced every light bulb I could at the higher price.:laughing:

Normal circumstance Bird. Just the way life is.

 

[bumperm]

Keep in mind that it's not the light emitting diode (LED) that's generating the radio frequency interference (RFI), but rather the LED driver circuit (which consists of a voltage/current regulator and sometimes a switching power supply).

 

[k0ua]

Keep in mind that it's not the light emitting diode (LED) that's generating the radio frequency interference (RFI), but rather the LED driver circuit (which consists of a voltage/current regulator and sometimes a switching power supply).

True, but like Ultra, I was concerned that the new "4 flow" bulbs would have a reduced parts count in their power supply and would likely have more RFI than the original heat sink design. But happily I can report that does not appear to be the case as I have not detected any increase in emissions from the new bulbs.

While my test's are somewhat cursory and not purely scientific with a full sweep with a spectrum analyzer, at least these new bulbs do not seem to be RFI generators in practical usage. I made a quick check of the MF HF and low VHF spectrum with an antenna running over the house at an elevation of 35 feet from ground level for the 2/3 length of the Off Center Fed Dipole. Also checks were made with the small Yagi on one end of the house at an elevation of 39 feet. Nothing was found from either the older or the newer bulbs.

As a side note, I do have in my possession a 12 1 amp switching power supply that wipes out the complete spectrum from LF to VHF with 20 db over S9 signals. I do believe that if this supply was connected to a resonant antenna and keyed on and off using CW, that some long distance contacts could be made with it on or near the frequency of the resonant antenna if the receiver on the far end would make an attempt to copy the horrible buzzing note of the RF emanating from this wretched power supply. In all of my experience I have never seen such a "dirty" device.

I have kept it thinking I could use it as an item of sabotage by plugging it in to an outside power outlet of someones home that I detested.

Of course I would never really do such a thing, but I did keep in as a curiosity.

 

[ultrarunner]

Hopefully longevity has not been compromised... time will tell

 

[bumperm]

I have kept it thinking I could use it as an item of sabotage by plugging it in to an outside power outlet of someones home that I detested.

Of course I would never really do such a thing, but I did keep in as a curiosity.

Sneak up and install it at NSA's data center or Hillary's house . . . your choice! :c)

 

[k0ua]

Sneak up and install it at NSA's data center or Hillary's house . . . your choice! :c)

Oh! My!

I guarantee it would wipe out a radio listening post for sure.

 

[KubotainNH]

I just saw these in this week's Lowe's flyer. I'm going to have to try some, hard to beat 2 for under $5. reviews are decent too.

Shop Utilitech 9.5-Watt (60W Equivalent) 3,000K A19 Medium Base (E-26) Warm White LED Bulb at Lowes.com