energy saving bulbs

ikthius · 21-03-2005, 13:08

Hey guys, not sure if I should have put this thread here or in the technology forum.

anyway, I am wanting to know if there are anywhere that sells energy saving light bulbs that would fit a screw in R50 bulb? I know it sounds small but they have made great advancements in the size of these things.
I have six of the wee buggers and they keep blowing out asap. it is costing me a fortune.

ik

Millay · 21-03-2005, 13:13

I beleive I had a energy saving bulb of this size from IKEA, it was only 3watt though which meant it was more of an non-light than a light

Its worth going down you local elctrical specialist and having a chat with them.

Xaccers · 21-03-2005, 13:14

Would 3W energy saver be equivalent to about 40W normal?

Millay · 21-03-2005, 13:20

No it was much less than that, equivelant to 15w I think. It gave out little more than a glow..
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This is not a spot bulb but would fit in th 14mm fitting:

http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/var...l.asp?var=3525

ikthius · 21-03-2005, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millay

No it was much less than that, equivelant to 15w I think. It gave out little more than a glow..
__________________

This is not a spot bulb but would fit in th 14mm fitting:

http://www.lightbulbs-direct.com/var...l.asp?var=3525

I am looking at the 7watt version of this. I would need to make sure they fit.
would they work with a dimmer?
EDIT: They do fit, I will try to buy them when I get paid

ik

etccarmageddon · 21-03-2005, 13:39

I dont think it's possible as the bulb size is too small for the electronics to fit in.

keithwalton · 21-03-2005, 13:42

I dont think you can use a dimmer on energy saving bulbs because of the way they work is much like a strip light.

Flubflow · 21-03-2005, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

I am looking at the 7watt version of this. I would need to make sure they fit.
would they work with a dimmer?
EDIT: They do fit, I will try to buy them when I get paid

ik

I've never seen an energy saving bulb that works with a dimmer.

One other thing I've noticed about energy saving bulbs is that they take time to warm up. i.e. the light output is significantly lower when you first switch them on and it takes a good few minutes before they reach full light output. Hence they are not very good for transient rooms like a hallway, landing or bathroom etc where the light is only required for a short time.

Millay · 21-03-2005, 13:49

Its worth mentioning that buying cheap enrgy saving bulbs do suffer from a slow starup. the branded more expensive ones no longer suffer from this, due to the elctroncis inside them

ikthius · 21-03-2005, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flubflow

I've never seen an energy saving bulb that works with a dimmer.

One other thing I've noticed about energy saving bulbs is that they take time to warm up. i.e. the light output is significantly lower when you first switch them on and it takes a good few minutes before they reach full light output. Hence they are not very good for transient rooms like a hallway, landing or bathroom etc where the light is only required for a short time.

yeah I know, I got one for an energy saving one for a hall.

ik

altis · 21-03-2005, 13:51

I agree. Since they are fluorescent, I would assume that these bulbs will not work with a dimmer unless it says specifically that they do.

You might want to try LED lamps, as were requested here:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=24746

...but these may use so litle current that your dimmer switch will stop working - check the documentation for the dimmer.

bob_builder · 21-03-2005, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Would 3W energy saver be equivalent to about 40W normal?

The equivalent wattage for an energy saving bulb is 5 times it actual wattage, i.e. 12W is equivalent to 60W, 20W equivalent to 100W, etc.

zoombini · 21-03-2005, 13:56

They are basically just fluorescent lights but smaller.

I have many around the house, esp in the hallways 7 bathrooms etc.

I hate them, they are far too dim compared to what they say on the box. 11w=120w like yeah, my backside its equivalent! (for mr/mrs pedant, this is an example & not necessarily accurate).

bob_builder · 21-03-2005, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithwalton

I dont think you can use a dimmer on energy saving bulbs because of the way they work is much like a strip light.

It is possible to get dimmers for strip lighting but they work by reducing the frequency of the alternating current instead of reducing the effective voltage. Strip lights and energy saving bulbs are designed to work at 240V.

orangebird · 21-03-2005, 14:00

The damn things should never have been invented. When I see one in a house I immediately think - 'tight wad'.