December 23, 2008 at 11:08 am
· Filed under Efficient Lighting
Good Bulb, Good Color, Dimmer Compatible, but not Dimmable
The Sylvania Dimmable CFL is marked as ‘soft white’ and says 2700K on the package.
The color is a replacement for an incandescent bulb, and is rated as a 100 watt replacement, with a 7 year life. It says it uses 24 watts, and puts out 1500 lumens. Using a Kill-A-Watt, it is using 18 watts.
The dimmer function is not a dimmer, it just cuts out. There may be certain switches that work better than others. When I get a chance, I’ll buy a set of different switches, and see what happens.
Some notes from inside the package – don’t use it on a timer or photocell, don’t totally enclose it, don’t use it outside where not protected. A note I have not seen: “light output has more than 5% decrease when lamp is used in base down position”. If you’ve got suggestions on what that means, post a comment. The wattage with bulb up, and bulb down appears to be the same.
Permalink
October 7, 2008 at 4:23 pm
· Filed under Efficient Lighting
Bulb Color – Harsh OK. Dimmable CFL – Bad. Heat – Good.
Update 12/23/08
The color is acceptable, but now that it’s been in use for a while, the bulb takes a few minutes to brighten up. It will only light up with the dimmer fully ‘on’, and even just a bit off, and it’s dark. I think a better term is ‘dimmer compatible’ as opposed to dimmable.
Reviewing the ecosmart 16 watt dimmable flood. Costs about two dollars more than more than an incandescent R30, so I have high hopes. Label says it is soft white 2700K. 75 watt equivalent. 750 lumens.
It is marked as good for ceiling cans, as well as flood fixtures. It is also marked as good for wet weather if the base is up (light shining down). It is about half an inch longer than the R30 incandescents, and looks the same in the ceiling can.
The dimmer we have is current technology (2 years old), and is driving just the one bulb. The bulb drops out early when the dimming starts.
The color starts out very good, and after several minutes takes on the classic CFL Death Pall.
Permalink
July 10, 2008 at 7:04 am
· Filed under Efficient Lighting
Good Bulb
The n:vision CFL line is one of my favorites.
The 23 watt bulb is marked 2700k and is marked warm on the package. It is good for living rooms and kitchens. I’ve been using them for a while. My wife does not notice when I switch them out.
Many manufacturers don’t mark the kelvin, or light temp. I like that this one is marked.
The bulb is 4 3/4 inches tall, and just under 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
My comparison Sylvania bulb of 100 watts – regular tungsten – is 4 inches tall and 2 1/2 inches in diameter, so this compact fluorescent should fit in most fixtures.
The package says it should be in an enclosed fixture if it’s used outdoors, so it appears to be OK in a closed fixture.
The bulb starts gradually – you can watch the spiral warm up. It is quiet – no buzzing.
Permalink
July 8, 2008 at 1:32 pm
· Filed under Efficient Lighting
Light quality/color: Good
I have had this in use for a long time. Years? Color goes well in the living room.
Size
Total height is 6 inches, diameter is 2 1/2 inches. Fits in our lamp – barely.
Comments
The plastic housing is turning brown on top. I will revise this post with wattage and heat.
The amount of light is acceptable for the wattage. Subjective measure of course.
Starts like a bulb should. Again not scientific, but not noticed one way or the other.
Permalink
