From: ems@michael.apple.com (E. Michael Smith)
Subject: Compact Fluorescents to avoid
Organization: Apple Computer Inc.
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 05:14:12 GMT

Just a short note of review of a couple of compact fluorecent bulbs
to avoid ...

It's about 9mos since I did most of my conversion to CF bulbs.  I 
bought several kinds and tried them in several places to find out what 
I like and didn't, and what worked and didn't.

I've posted general reviews in the past, and this information 
doesn't change those conclusions, but it does amplify on a couple
of the 'avoid' bulbs...

First:  FEIT PL bulbs.  These come in 5, 7, 9, and 13 watt versions.
I bought a 5, 7, and 9.  They flicker a little at startup and hum
a little more than I'd like.  They are magnetic ballast and the 
wattage ratings seem to omit the ballast ...  (all this is old news...)
The new part?  EVERY ONE HAS HAD THE BULB BROKEN in the time I've 
owned them.

They are small round heavy ballast that rolls well.  One died by rolling 
off a table while being moved to a different light fixture.  You could
argue that this isn't the fault of the bulb, but you could also argue
that those with square bases or tapered bases that DIDN'T roll off
the table were 'better'...  One died by having the fixture it was in
knocked over by my wife while cleaning.  One died when my kid 
managed to tap the end of the bulb and cause the base to crack.

One could argue that all of these were the result of abnormal handling.
One could argue that my family are all klutzes.
One could then ask why NONE of the other lights died this way?
(despite similar handling...).

Whatever the reason, it happened in a very abnormal ratio compared 
to the other lights.

Second:  GE Energy Choice (tm) Compax (tm) Light Globe. 15w.

This is a globe shaped magnetic ballast light that is all one piece
(no separation of tube and ballast.)

It always started slow, and flickered a very large amount.  It has now
started to sporadicaly shut off.  It will die for a while, then light
up again.  In some light fixtures it won't light up at all.  At the
best of times it lights up after a LONG wait and several flickers.
It won't light up at all when cool/cold.

This bulb has had very few hours of use.  Maybe 300, MAX!   

Unless you need a very low wattage lamp, or if you know that they 
will be physically well protected, avoid the FEIT PL bulb adapters.

Avoid the GE bulbs, in any case.

(For those who don't remember, the bulbs I like most are:  OSRAM, just
about any they make; and Lights of America Quad Tubes and Tri Phosphor
Circle Lights {all with electronic ballast}.  They work well, don't
flicker or hum that I can tell, and have been durable with good color.
The Panasonic Quad tube light is also good, but the Panasonic Light
Capsule Globe bulb is much like the GE in looks {and also flickers
a fair amount at start up...} so I'd worry about its reliability too ...)

BTW, the OSRAM floods have continued to work flawlessly in my infra-red
detector yard light.  Several starts a day {or night...}.  On for 10 
minutes, then off again.  The kids play in that yard, and the light will
often time out while they are still playing, so the bulbs get LOTS of
on off cycles... and, to the extent San Jose gets cold, they have worked
in the cold ...

More CF durability news in another year or so ... ;-)

-- 

E. Michael Smith  ems@apple.COM

'Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has
 genius, power and magic in it.'  -  Goethe

I am not responsible nor is anyone else.  Everything is disclaimed.
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