Anyone have trouble with CFLs?

[Leros]

I've bought 3 CFLs so far and had them all burn out within a week.

The first one was a wal-mart brand bulb, the next two were name brand (and expensive, about $5-7 each).

What am I doing wrong?

 

[paulney]

You are not controlling them with a dimmer by any chance?

 

[silverpig]

A few of my CFLs haven't lasted nearly as long as they're supposed to. Longer than incandescent sure, but not much.

 

[Leros]

You are not controlling them with a dimmer by any chance?

Nope. Just a standard light switch.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Have you got a large refrigeration or heating unit on the same circuit?

 

[Capt Caveman]

I've only had two burn out in the last eight years.

 

[jagec]

CFLs are a great technology IF you never use them with a dimmer, and you don't have them in a place that will get too hot or too cold, and they are well ventilated so that they don't overheat. They're nowhere near as robust as incandescent lights.

 

[Leros]

CFLs are a great technology IF you never use them with a dimmer, and you don't have them in a place that will get too hot or too cold, and they are well ventilated so that they don't overheat. They're nowhere near as robust as incandescent lights.

Maybe thats the problem. I'm using them in a covered ceiling light.

Like this:

 

[Locut0s]

No wher near that short! Similar to silverpig I may have seen a few that didn't last as long as they should have, though nothing serious. We've had 2 in our entrance way that have been going forever.

 

[Locut0s]

Maybe thats the problem. I'm using them in a covered ceiling light.

Like this:

Is that an IKEA design? I've got that exact lamp above my head right now.

 

[Leros]

Yeah. That's not the one I have, but it looks nearly identical. I was just too lazy to find the exact one.

Edit: I can't find the one I have in the Ikea site. Anway, its nearly identical, the little holders just look different on mine.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Maybe thats the problem. I'm using them in a covered ceiling light.

Like this:

I have that same IKEA light fixture(2), each with 3 CFLs. Not a single one has burnt out in 2 years.

 

[TridenT]

Bad power supply to the bulbs maybe?

 

[Leros]

I have that same IKEA light fixture(2), each with 3 CFLs. Not a single one has burnt out in 2 years.

Hmm..... well then...

 

[Jeff7]

Neolites have yet to let me down.
I don't think I've had any of them running in a fully-enclosed case thing; I guess the worst I've got is the one that's mounted upside-down in the bathroom, and it of course gets to endure daily exposure to high humidity from the shower.


I have had my share of dead CFLs in a very short time - out of 12 off-brand CFLs (cheap ones, also from 1000bulbs.com), I think maybe...8 or 9 of them were dead in around 6 months.

And finally, I've got a 65W Harmony Lighting CFL in the livingroom. I believe it'll be 3 years old as of this August.

 

[Leros]

Bad power supply to the bulbs maybe?

Perhaps. My apartment does have shitty power. I blow out an incandescent bulb every few months

I actually bought the CFLs because I thought they were more robust. I was replacing my incandescent porch light every few weeks, but the cheap $1 CFL I put in there has been running for 6 months now. That's what inspired me to go CFL.

 

[Locut0s]

Perhaps. My apartment does have shitty power. I blow out an incandescent bulb every few months

I actually bought the CFLs because I thought they were more robust. I was replacing my incandescent porch light every few weeks, but the cheap $1 CFL I put in there has been running for 6 months now. That's what inspired me to go CFL.

Yeah even incandescents should last longer than that on average. According to wiki incandescents should last about 875 hours on average. If you have the light on for 8 hours a day they should last about 3-4 months. And most lights aren't on that long.

 

[Leros]

Yeah even incandescents should last longer than that on average. According to wiki incandescents should last about 875 hours on average. If you have the light on for 8 hours a day they should last about 3-4 months. And most lights aren't on that long.

Every couple of months, I'll flip a switch and the light will just flash and die.

 

[id09542]

Yep, they do not last as long as they would want you to believe. Definately a problem with them in an enclosed fixture, talking weeks to months before they fail. Had the same problem in open fixtures in the bathroom, I had to turn the fixtures upside down so the base was on the bottom and the light pointing up, they are going on a year now. From what I can tell, the problem is the the base (electronic part) overheating. I have had bad luck with name brands along with generics. I just bought a bunch of 3-packs for 99 cents, something tells me they probably are not the best quality, time will tell.

 

[CraigRT]

They either last forever, or they fail well before they should. That is my experience.

Noma brand, not too bad.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Yes - the officiating is horrible, but it's an exciting sport. Shame really.

Oh wait, wrong CFL...

 

[Vette73]

Have you checked the voltage to the lamp? If it is low and/or swings a good deal then that can cause it.

I have CFLs in my outside lights where they are supposed to not work well for 3 years now and still going. I did all the wiring in my house so the voltage drop is very low. I run 12ga even to 15amp outlets.

 

[mrrman]

I am switching my whole house to LED's...have spent $1k on bulbs so far...will never have to change them again...at least for 17 years...so they claim. Ive pulled all my CFL's and Halogen bulbs out.

 

[PepePeru]

I am switching my whole house to LED's...have spent $1k on bulbs so far...will never have to change them again...at least for 17 years...so they claim. Ive pulled all my CFL's and Halogen bulbs out.

wow.

I hope their claims are factual.

 

[Bryophyte]

I've had CFLs in enclosed fixtures for years and they haven't burned out faster than other places. Of the probably 3 dozen bulbs I've bought over the past 8 years, I've had maybe a half-dozen burn out, none of them in under a year. They have lasted me several years on average, and some still running after 8 years.