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Different CFL behaviors Dioclese 12-09-2008
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Posted by Dioclese on December 9, 2008, 7:24 am
Still in process of switching entire house and exterior to CFLs.

Thus far, I've run into these behaviors on different 13W (40W resistance
lighting equivalent advertised) CFLs.

Lights in hallway and front porch- half second delay before any illumination
at all. Relatively dim illumination to the others mentioned here. Makes me
nervous without instant lighting.

Hollywood style lighting over sink. Immediate turn-on, practically no wait
time for full illumination.

Recessed lighting in kitchen- takes about a minute before full illumination.
Quite bright when that time expires. No time delay for some initial
illumination, but, very dim initially. If switched off, and immediately
turned on, full illumination is there right away.

Believe they're all GE make. First set bought at dollar store. 2nd and 3rd
sets bought at Ace Hardware.

Why the different turn-on and illumination behaviors?
--
Dave



Posted by jamesgangnc on December 9, 2008, 8:06 am
All CFL's have a warmup behavoir. After they are warm they get brighter.
Higher wattage is more noticable. Colder location affects this as well. I
have 3 yellow ones outside, this time of year they are very dim when turned
on. Some are better at reducing the initial startup time than others. You
get used to it.

"Dioclese" <NONE> wrote in message
> Still in process of switching entire house and exterior to CFLs.
> Thus far, I've run into these behaviors on different 13W (40W resistance
> lighting equivalent advertised) CFLs.
> Lights in hallway and front porch- half second delay before any
> illumination at all. Relatively dim illumination to the others mentioned
> here. Makes me nervous without instant lighting.
> Hollywood style lighting over sink. Immediate turn-on, practically no
> wait time for full illumination.
> Recessed lighting in kitchen- takes about a minute before full
> illumination. Quite bright when that time expires. No time delay for some
> initial illumination, but, very dim initially. If switched off, and
> immediately turned on, full illumination is there right away.
> Believe they're all GE make. First set bought at dollar store. 2nd and
> 3rd sets bought at Ace Hardware.
> Why the different turn-on and illumination behaviors?
> --
> Dave
>



Posted by ransley on December 9, 2008, 8:17 am
On Dec 9, 6:24=A0am, "Dioclese" <NONE> wrote:
> Still in process of switching entire house and exterior to CFLs.
> Thus far, I've run into these behaviors on different 13W (40W resistance
> lighting equivalent advertised) CFLs.
> Lights in hallway and front porch- half second delay before any illuminat=
ion
> at all. =A0Relatively dim illumination to the others mentioned here. =A0M=
akes me
> nervous without instant lighting.
> Hollywood style lighting over sink. =A0Immediate turn-on, practically no =
wait
> time for full illumination.
> Recessed lighting in kitchen- takes about a minute before full illuminati=
on.
> Quite bright when that time expires. =A0No time delay for some initial
> illumination, but, very dim initially. =A0If switched off, and immediatel=
y
> turned on, full illumination is there right away.
> Believe they're all GE make. =A0First set bought at dollar store. =A02nd =
and 3rd
> sets bought at Ace Hardware.
> Why the different turn-on and illumination behaviors?
> --
> Dave

They are reviewed at Popular Machanics mag about a year ago, maybe in
homeowner section and Consumers Reports. My ext floodlights take 12min
+ at 10f to get bright, a minute or so at 70f. Different brands are
made different, old ones are not as advanced. HD has the 9w which
equals 40w here for 1$, HD at Pop Mech was rated #1 in skin color look
and has a 7 yr warranty. 13w should equal 60w, compare by Lumen
Rating. Outside they are no good for motion sensors to light up quick
but they work and last I have found. I use at least 50. HD has the
best deal, light, and warranty I have found. Soft white are most like
incandesant.

Posted by ransley on December 9, 2008, 8:18 am
On Dec 9, 6:24=A0am, "Dioclese" <NONE> wrote:
> Still in process of switching entire house and exterior to CFLs.
> Thus far, I've run into these behaviors on different 13W (40W resistance
> lighting equivalent advertised) CFLs.
> Lights in hallway and front porch- half second delay before any illuminat=
ion
> at all. =A0Relatively dim illumination to the others mentioned here. =A0M=
akes me
> nervous without instant lighting.
> Hollywood style lighting over sink. =A0Immediate turn-on, practically no =
wait
> time for full illumination.
> Recessed lighting in kitchen- takes about a minute before full illuminati=
on.
> Quite bright when that time expires. =A0No time delay for some initial
> illumination, but, very dim initially. =A0If switched off, and immediatel=
y
> turned on, full illumination is there right away.
> Believe they're all GE make. =A0First set bought at dollar store. =A02nd =
and 3rd
> sets bought at Ace Hardware.
> Why the different turn-on and illumination behaviors?
> --
> Dave

Ace, for the price of one I can buy 3-4 at HD.

Posted by PeterD on December 9, 2008, 10:46 am
On Tue, 9 Dec 2008 06:24:28 -0600, "Dioclese" <NONE> wrote:

>Still in process of switching entire house and exterior to CFLs.
>Thus far, I've run into these behaviors on different 13W (40W resistance
>lighting equivalent advertised) CFLs.
>Lights in hallway and front porch- half second delay before any illumination
>at all. Relatively dim illumination to the others mentioned here. Makes me
>nervous without instant lighting.
>Hollywood style lighting over sink. Immediate turn-on, practically no wait
>time for full illumination.
>Recessed lighting in kitchen- takes about a minute before full illumination.
>Quite bright when that time expires. No time delay for some initial
>illumination, but, very dim initially. If switched off, and immediately
>turned on, full illumination is there right away.
>Believe they're all GE make. First set bought at dollar store. 2nd and 3rd
>sets bought at Ace Hardware.
>Why the different turn-on and illumination behaviors?


Way too many factors to give a good absolutely correct answer.

1. Temperature is a main factor in initial brilliance. Warmming up
brings up the light level, then probably then are mounted in a
location that is cold(er) than typical interior spaces.

2. Some lamps take longer to achieve full brillance. IMHO just cheap
design. Buy from China, and you takes your chances... <g>

3. Ditto for intial light, some lamps don't seem to come on as quickly
as others. Again, low or non-existant quality control from cheap
imported products.

Just because it says "GE" on the package, doesnt' mean that GE made
it, or that it is quality! Instead all the name means is that some
company paid GE for the rights to use their name.

Some simple tests may be to take a CFL that is working well in one
location and try it in a location that is not working well... Also
measure the temperatures at the socket (when off). If too cold you
will see both delayed startup and low initial light output. Not to say
you can't use CFLs in cold locations (I use one on my back deck, gets
to -20 in the winter) just that you have to comphensate for that
initial minute or so to full brightness. In my case I just turn it on
a minute before I plan to go out.

Summary: Cheap lamps with low quality control/poor design, and low
temperatures (often combined) will cause the problem.

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