light bulbs redux...

[Brian Roth]

Here I go again....refer to this older thread:

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=47511.0

I've been working with clients re. VU backlighting/lamp replacements, which lead to this tirade.

Our USA government gave an AWARD to Philips who came up with a $50 bulb.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/03/50-light-bulb-wins-government-affordability-prize/

Let me run the numbers, since Debbie and I usually live in the dark...

The latest Consumers Reports has "ideas" for 75 Watt incandescents....starting at $40/bulb.

Insanity, especially if YOU DON'T RUN EVERY BULB IN YOUR HOUSE.

And, no warrenty if a bulb craps out.

So, we all need to replace our incandescents with NO warrenty that the bulbs will last.

Wow  what a way to make money. I can make billions selling crappy bulbs....

Bri

 

[1954U1]

Yes, the "affordability prize" is at least ironic.

But IMHO the interesting thing is that the CRI of this same Philips bulb type in 2011 was 80..
now is 93.

I've seen some Cree and Nichia LEDs with similar CRIs, and must say the progress in color rendering of LED technology has been amazing in the last year.

[edit]Anyway, me too, I've a stock of incandescent bulbs..[/edit]

 

[JohnRoberts]

In general I like the direction if not our current realization, on our path to more modern lighting solutions.

It used to seem like trying to keep plates spinning, with the frequency that incandescent lamps would expire, always when you needed the light. Any home with enough light sockets was always in need of a replacement somewhere. The early CFL were not much better, but the designs seem to have stabilized a little, and bulb life is notably better if they get adequate cooling. LED lighting is still relatively new and expensive but those costs will come down.  We (some of us) remember when the first red LEDs were an expensive bench curiosity.

JR

 

[Gus]

I have 3 Philips LED bulbs.  Two are 470 lumen, 2700K, 8 watt (40watt)  IIRC about $12.00 each.  One is 800 lumen, 2700K, 12.5 watt(60watt) IIRC about $14.00.

I am replacing my CFLs and other light bulbs with the Philips.  The CFLs do not seem to make the rated hours, I write the install date on the bases.

I like the Philips color temp and the use of remote phosphors.  Like the CFLS they are not to be used in a closed enclosure.

 

[fum]

Our Power company has been working with manufacturers and local retailers to help offset the cost of bulbs, I've been getting 8w LED bulbs (40W replacement) 2 for $5.

They also ran a deal with Zenaro, which were slightly more expensive, but as a test I put a 60W replacement in the most used lamp in our house without telling anyone, and in 4 days, no one noticed a difference, so getting the coloring right is seeing some progress.

We'll see how they are for longevity, but if I can take that high use lamp and knock it down from 60W to 12W, I'm for that.  But then, we're nothin but a bunch of tree huggin weed smokers up here, what the heck do we know 

Regards

ju

 

[Gus]

Two links
http://www.sound.westhost.com/lamps/
http://www.picocompressorforum.com/forum/php/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=408&sid=37e061b1d41874e23e26d68155fba0aa