CF Light Bulbs Suck

TimBikes · 11-14-2007, 01:41 AM

So I bought about a 20 CF light bulbs a year ago to replace a bunch of bulbs inside and outside the house. Within the first month or so about 3 bulbs had blown out. Now, a year later, probably a quarter or more have burned out.

While they have saved me about $10 / month on the electric bill, the thought of spending another $40 on bulbs is not appealing. From now on I will label purchase dates on the base of the bulb with a Sharpie and keep all my receipts.

In the meantime, how do these guys get away with claiming 6X the life of incandescents? What a sham. I smell a class action.

n8kwx · 11-14-2007, 01:51 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TimBikes @ Nov 14 2007, 12:41 AM) [snapback]539305[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So I bought about a 20 CF light bulbs a year ago to replace a bunch of bulbs inside and outside the house. Within the first month or so about 3 bulbs had blown out. Now, a year later, probably a quarter or more have burned out.

While they have saved me about $10 / month on the electric bill, the thought of spending another $40 on bulbs is not appealing. From now on I will label purchase dates on the base of the bulb with a Sharpie and keep all my receipts.

In the meantime, how do these guys get away with claiming 6X the life of incandescents? What a sham. I smell a class action.
[/b]

Careful on outside use. Not all CFs are rated for outdoor use. I'm guessing it is a humidity issue.

I've replaced most of my lamps with CF bulbs too. Haven't had any die yet (of this batch). Years ago I had some problems with them. But those were the older "non spiral" ones...

darelldd · 11-14-2007, 02:04 AM

I have been using CFL's for... well, for as long as they've been out. At least 15 years. Probably longer. I have had a few of the cheapies die of infant death syndrome. In general though, they last FOREVER. I have some in daily use from 15 years ago. STILL working fine.

As a general rule, they do not suck. Some do. What you declare here would be like buying a Yugo, and determining that "cars suck." Look for a different brand. You shouldn't be losing so many.

That said, CFL's use WAY the hell too much energy for me. I'm slowly converting everything to custom LED. Where I had 75W incandescent... replaced with ~20W of CFL, I now have 5W of LED.

CFL's are to LEDs like what my Prius is to EVs - my gas guzzler.

F8L · 11-14-2007, 02:16 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Nov 13 2007, 11:04 PM) [snapback]539314[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have been using CFL's for... well, for as long as they've been out. At least 15 years. Probably longer. I have had a few of the cheapies die of infant death syndrome. In general though, they last FOREVER. I have some in daily use from 15 years ago. STILL working fine.

As a general rule, they do not suck. Some do. What you declare here would be like buying a Yugo, and determining that "cars suck." Look for a different brand. You shouldn't be losing so many.

That said, CFL's use WAY the hell too much energy for me. I'm slowly converting everything to custom LED. Where I had 75W incandescent... replaced with ~20W of CFL, I now have 5W of LED.

CFL's are to LEDs like what my Prius is to EVs - my gas guzzler.

[/b]

That has been my experience but I've only been using them for about 4yrs and no burnouts yet. I've heard about some of them not lasting but I chalk it up to poor materials or workmanship.

I still have a bunch of low wattage ones on campus to give away. If you want to pay shipping and sign this PG&E pledge I have I might be able to get you a dozen.

TimBikes · 11-14-2007, 02:26 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Nov 13 2007, 11:04 PM) [snapback]539314[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

As a general rule, they do not suck. Some do. What you declare here would be like buying a Yugo, and determining that "cars suck." Look for a different brand. You shouldn't be losing so many.
[/b]

I should have known - they were cheapies from Costco (FEIT). I've had similar problems with Home Depot bulbs too. So perhaps I AM buying the Yugo of bulbs. I would love to know what brand is working for you. I have researched online but have seen a lot of complaints about many of the top rated brands.

I have also heard that using them in recessed lighting is asking for trouble due to heat build up.

F8L · 11-14-2007, 02:33 AM

The bulbs (13w CFL) I am giving out for PG&E are labeled under Maxlite.

On the box it states:

2 Year warranty from date of purchase.
Suitable for indoor use.
Reliable operating temperature 0-100F.
Do not use with dimmers or other control
devices. Manufactured in China under
license from Maxlite U.S.A.

TimBikes · 11-14-2007, 02:44 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Nov 13 2007, 11:33 PM) [snapback]539331[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The bulbs (13w CFL) I am giving out for PG&E are labeled under Maxlite.

On the box it states:

2 Year warranty from date of purchase.
Suitable for indoor use.
Reliable operating temperature 0-100F.
Do not use with dimmers or other control
devices. Manufactured in China under
license from Maxlite U.S.A.
[/b]

It'd be great to find some that aren't made in China...but I'm not holding my breath.

F8L · 11-14-2007, 02:47 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TimBikes @ Nov 13 2007, 11:44 PM) [snapback]539335[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It'd be great to find some that aren't made in China...but I'm not holding my breath.
[/b]

Germany has always been known for great light bulbs and associated equipment. Might look there.

n8kwx · 11-14-2007, 03:41 AM

What do people do with their old working incancesdents? Besides making a museum?

I hate throwing good stuff away, but I see them as "bad" gifts. You are cursing the recipient with high electric bills!

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 11-14-2007, 05:40 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(n8kwx @ Nov 14 2007, 12:41 AM) [snapback]539341[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What do people do with their old working incancesdents? Besides making a museum?
I hate throwing good stuff away, but I see them as "bad" gifts. You are cursing the recipient with high electric bills![/b]

It's not a "bad" gift if the recipient can't afford to purchase CFLs. You are saving them from having to buy light bulbs.

As for me, they sit in the bottom of a plastic storage box in the utility room awaiting their turn to be executed in the trouble/work light . . .

. . . or given a reprieve to stand in for a burnt-out CFL until I purchase a replacement.

11-14-2007, 02:04 AM	#3
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 4,447 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 10	I have been using CFL's for... well, for as long as they've been out. At least 15 years. Probably longer. I have had a few of the cheapies die of infant death syndrome. In general though, they last FOREVER. I have some in daily use from 15 years ago. STILL working fine. As a general rule, they do not suck. Some do. What you declare here would be like buying a Yugo, and determining that "cars suck." Look for a different brand. You shouldn't be losing so many. That said, CFL's use WAY the hell too much energy for me. I'm slowly converting everything to custom LED. Where I had 75W incandescent... replaced with ~20W of CFL, I now have 5W of LED. CFL's are to LEDs like what my Prius is to EVs - my gas guzzler. __________________ -= Darell the EV Nut =- * EV Pages * Prius pages * PLEASE avoid sending me PMs!

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11-14-2007, 01:41 AM	#1
TimBikes Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: WA Posts: 1,287 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	So I bought about a 20 CF light bulbs a year ago to replace a bunch of bulbs inside and outside the house. Within the first month or so about 3 bulbs had blown out. Now, a year later, probably a quarter or more have burned out. While they have saved me about $10 / month on the electric bill, the thought of spending another $40 on bulbs is not appealing. From now on I will label purchase dates on the base of the bulb with a Sharpie and keep all my receipts. In the meantime, how do these guys get away with claiming 6X the life of incandescents? What a sham. I smell a class action.

11-14-2007, 02:33 AM	#6
F8L Collecting Data on Nature Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA. Posts: 3,989 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 15	The bulbs (13w CFL) I am giving out for PG&E are labeled under Maxlite. On the box it states: 2 Year warranty from date of purchase. Suitable for indoor use. Reliable operating temperature 0-100F. Do not use with dimmers or other control devices. Manufactured in China under license from Maxlite U.S.A.

11-14-2007, 03:41 AM	#9
n8kwx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington Heights, IL - NW Chicago Suburb Posts: 230 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	What do people do with their old working incancesdents? Besides making a museum? I hate throwing good stuff away, but I see them as "bad" gifts. You are cursing the recipient with high electric bills!