It's the end of the light bulb as we know it

[mjf]

CFLs are a good idea and the only thing you can buy where I live. The downside is that their cost is still quite high and my experience is that their life is far less than is toted. Another drawback is "luminance Latency". I'm considering replacing all my downlights with LEDs. I think there is still a lot of scope for LED (semiconductor) technology to be a main light source for domestic use.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

CFLs are a good idea and the only thing you can buy where I live. The downside is that their cost is still quite high and my experience is that their life is far less than is toted. Another drawback is "luminance Latency". I'm considering replacing all my downlights with LEDs. I think their still a lot of scope for LED (semiconductor) technology to be a main light source for domestic use.

True, CFL life is less than advertised but the good ones, and some of the less than good ones, will last long enough and reduce operating cost enough to way more than offset the higher initial cost. The drop I saw in my electric bill after I switchedwas considerable more than the cost of the CFLs

There is no doubt that LEDs are going to replace incandescents and all forms of fluorescents, including CFLs, someday. However, same as CFLs when they first came out, there is a lot garbage hiding the good ones. LEDs will really take off when we start seeing more fixtures being designed specifically for LEDs, with built in voltage control circuitry instead of using LED bulbs with their own control circuitry designed to replace older forms of lighting. Another innovation that would make LEDs even more practical would be to start wiring buildings with regulated low voltage lighting circuits.

 

[Golden]

Are we back on lights again?

 

[boohbah]

I recently saw a fishing cap, (basically a baseball cap but for fishing) and it had leds on the rim activated by a invisible press switch in the peak,

it was so you could tie your hooks etc without scaring the fish with too much light when night fishing, (bit pointless in the day!).

i thought they would make great reading lights too, and if you read in bed they would double as a nightcap so win win

keeping it light colin.

 

[pebbly]

What about these then booh

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Are we back on lights again?

We left?

 

[Sub Styler]

You are only exposed to the mercury if you smash the bulb and then eat the shards, or grind them into your flesh. Bulbs with mercury in them are quite safe unbroken.

So are unbroken thermometers with mercury in them, but they havent made any in years!

 

[boohbah]

What about these then booh

cool.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

What about these then booh

Link for where to get?

 

[OvenMaster]

Time for me to stock up on 40's and 60's. The most-used bulb in my house are 40's in desk lamps and table lamps. I've already got a plastic storage tub full of 75's and 100's.

 

[Stephanie]

I use CFL bulbs in my home but will have a look at the new ones

 

[HoneycombAG]

Now Brink, there's still ovens and fridges that have to use "appliance" bulbs because CFLs and LED bulbs melt or break in extreme heat or extreme cold areas. And, do they make screw-in LED night-light bulbs yet?

If you have LED Christmas lights that have the screw-in C7 base, those can be used to replace a regular 7-watt night-light bulb.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Now Brink, there's still ovens and fridges that have to use "appliance" bulbs because CFLs and LED bulbs melt or break in extreme heat or extreme cold areas. And, do they make screw-in LED night-light bulbs yet?

CFLs won't work well in refrigerators (they don't melt or break, they just won't fire quickly enough to be of any use) but LEDs should work just fine. All the ones I've seen so far (still looking) are too bulky, however.

Considering how long LEDs last, why worry about getting replaceable LED bulbs for nightlights? LED nightlights are fairly inexpensive. I have four that have been in use for several years; they paid for themselves in reduced electricity consumption and heat output early in the first year.

 

[HoneycombAG]

My mother has a curio cabinet that needs a 25-watt "Edison" screw bulb. Considering how ridiculous a power demand that is, she tried several different bulbs and they all went out.

A floodlight LED with just 6 watts might take care of it.

Not only does it contain no mercury but it shouldn't produce a lot of heat, which is why a lot of the other lights have burnt out.

 

[mjf]

LED torches are the only way to go. Very bright light and he batteries last a long time.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

LED torches are the only way to go. Very bright light and he batteries last a long time.

As long as you get a good one. There are a lot of Chinese ones out there that are pure garbage, especially the little ones that use three AAAs in a little drop in carrier. They are a nice form factor but they just don't last long.

 

[mjf]

I use this a lot. Small solid metal case and takes 2xAA batteries. Very bright and costs under $20. Fits in a small toolbox.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I use this a lot. Small solid metal case and takes 2xAA batteries. Very bright and costs under $20. Fits in a small toolbox.
View attachment 287147

How long have you had it and how much use does it get?

 

[DreadStarX]

I use whatever my family has. Though, I know we don't use incandescent bulbs, cause ours are swirls. Lmao.

Another magnificent article given to us by Brink. I get more "real" news here on W7, than from CNN. ^^

 

[mjf]

I use this a lot. Small solid metal case and takes 2xAA batteries. Very bright and costs under $20. Fits in a small toolbox.
View attachment 287147

How long have you had it and how much use does it get?

~3 years. It gets quite a bit of use (how long's a piece of string). Powerful enough for dark outdoors but its bigger brother using D batteries may be better here. It's very useful for working inside a computer case.
I think there are a number of good brands to choose from and I don't think I could buy an incandescent bulb torch anymore.