Question about CFL bulbs

**JBL** · 02-28-2008, 07:52 AM

Hi,

The "wattage equivalent" figures on CFL's are just that, an approximate equivalent light output to help the consumer understand how much light the bulb produces. So if an 18 watt bulb produces roughly the same light as a 75 watt incandescent, you have some idea of how much light and how much wattage you need.

The wattage restrictions on light fixtures are telling you that this lamp has wiring which is safe to handle up to 75 watts of electricity. Doesnt matter what kind of bulb you use, just how many watts. so you could use a 75 watt cfl in that fixture, which would be VERY bright indeed.

So to answer your question, sure, you can use a higher wattage cfl in that fixture. Anything up to 75 watts will be fine.

Josh

**disneysteve** · 02-28-2008, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by JBL View Post

you could use a 75 watt cfl in that fixture, which would be VERY bright indeed.

That would be around 300 watts, I suppose. Plenty bright, but of course then I wouldn't be saving any electricity.

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 02-28-2008, 08:40 AM

Some light fixtures are limited not just by the wiring, but by the shades, diffusers or reflectors. Incandescents of higher wattage could generate enough heat to melt or burn some of those materials, even if the wiring was sufficient. Again, with CFL, we get to jump up in light yield without damaging shades, etc.

**Seeker** · 02-28-2008, 04:33 PM

Has anyone noticed a high-pitched whine with these blubs?

DH bought a few of them a few years ago, but I couldn't tolerate the constant whine from them....

Maybe I should buy a new one and re-try?

**sweeps** · 02-28-2008, 04:42 PM

I've never noticed a high-pitched whine, but I notice that things look almost green with these CFL bulbs. How can people say they like the light that these things give off?

Also what's with the light taken a minute and a half to get up to full light level? That's annoying.

**disneysteve** · 02-28-2008, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by Seeker View Post

Has anyone noticed a high-pitched whine with these blubs?

Originally posted by sweeps View Post

I've never noticed a high-pitched whine, but I notice that things look almost green with these CFL bulbs. How can people say they like the light that these things give off?

The current generation of CFLs is far superior to the early versions. They come on instantly. They don't whine. And they show true colors. I know the Home Depot brand comes in 3 spectrums. I think they are soft white, bright white and daylight. You choose based on the type of light you are going for. The light they give off is really indistinguishable from traditional bulbs.

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 02-28-2008, 05:18 PM

Yes, the CFL bulbs have come a long way ---speaking as someone who has used them over a decade now. I think even just in the last two years the bulbs on the market are so much better. So don't buy them at a yard sale just yet! I do still get one every now and then that whines. The one in my bathroom does.

**sweeps** · 02-28-2008, 05:22 PM

That's weird because I just bought these bulbs at Target a few months ago. Are they still selling 1st generation bulbs?

**Joan.of.the.Arch** · 02-28-2008, 05:30 PM

Oh yeah, another weird thing. Certain compact CFLs such as the ones in my house reveal an ugly, mostly green, partly purple diffraction pattern on the surface of my glasses. I asked about it where I bought my glasses, but you couldn't see it in their office. They called the optical lab and the lab says, yes, they had noticed the same thing under a certain light in their office. I mentioned it to my ophthalmologist thinking he would understand it. In his office, the effect couldn't be seen (no CFLs) and he seemed skeptical that I was really seeing what I said I was.

If you ever notice someone's glasses having odd green reflections, look around and see if there is a CFL in the room. I think it is related to a coating on the glasses. It looks a lot like the colorful refraction patterns of oil on a wet parking lot.

Sweeps, I think my last ones came from Target, too, but I don't remember the brand. I think I got some bad ones at Home Depot. Again, I don't know the brand.

**disneysteve** · 02-28-2008, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by sweeps View Post

That's weird because I just bought these bulbs at Target a few months ago. Are they still selling 1st generation bulbs?

No. If you bought them recently, they shouldn't be a problem but I suppose there are brands that are better than others. I've had good results with the N:Vision brand at Home Depot. They come on instantly and give off very good light. And I've never noticed any whining.

**maat55** · 02-28-2008, 05:38 PM

Are these those bulbs that if they break you have to have men in plastic suits clean and remove.

**disneysteve** · 02-28-2008, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by maat55 View Post

Are these those bulbs that if they break you have to have men in plastic suits clean and remove.

Not quite, but they do contain a small amount of mercury and should not be thrown out with the regular trash. They should go out with the hazardous waste. Most towns have either special collection days or drop-off sites for those types of items.

**JanH** · 02-28-2008, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by Joan.of.the.Arch View Post

Oh yeah, another weird thing. Certain compact CFLs such as the ones in my house reveal an ugly, mostly green, partly purple diffraction pattern on the surface of my glasses. I asked about it where I bought my glasses, but you couldn't see it in their office. They called the optical lab and the lab says, yes, they had noticed the same thing under a certain light in their office. I mentioned it to my ophthalmologist thinking he would understand it. In his office, the effect couldn't be seen (no CFLs) and he seemed skeptical that I was really seeing what I said I was.

If you ever notice someone's glasses having odd green reflections, look around and see if there is a CFL in the room. I think it is related to a coating on the glasses. It looks a lot like the colorful refraction patterns of oil on a wet parking lot.

I have noticed that oil sheen thing with some sunglasses and certain car windows. Others have said the same thing. Weird....

**disneysteve** · 02-29-2008, 04:26 AM

Originally posted by JanH View Post

I have noticed that oil sheen thing with some sunglasses and certain car windows. Others have said the same thing. Weird....

My wife sees some type of pattern in certain car windows that DD and I can't see with our glasses. I never heard of the color thing with the CFLs, though. I guess as their usage gets more common, we'll probably hear it more.

Question about CFL bulbs