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Re: CFL's and X-10



<jawladar@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:de0efdbe-d3cb-42bc-adab-fc6f24d411f5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Robert, I am using CFLs that I purchased at Costco that were listed as
> dimmable. They came in a bulk packaging of about 10 or 12 bulbs and
> they work flawlessly with my x10 system (Computer controlled, wireless
> controlled and wired controlled) as long as I do not try to dim them.

Thanks for the tip.  I've bought a lot of different brands and different
models of the same brand and different lot numbers of the same model and
they've all been different.  The bulb makers are constantly changing their
products  At one point, I was optimizing for low noise, but since I use
filters almost everywhere, that's no longer as important as optimizing for
fewer "relights" and flickering.

I wish I didn't have to be in the business of approving bulbs for each
particular fixture in the house but that's the hand X-10 dealt us until they
come out with a *real* CFL module that preserves local sense without
allowing the bulbs to flicker or relight themselves.  Instead of hiring an
engineer to solve the problem, they turned to deceptive marketing. )-:.

There's a thread about CFL's in alt.home.repair I was tempted to cross-post,
but the temptation faded.  (-:

It seems to say that nearly every CFL user has at least one CFL sticking out
beyond the rim of a lampshape or they are using a too dim CFL somewhere
because the equivalent one doesn't fit or have ended up using two CFLs where
they would have used a single incandescent before.

I've got a few very expensive bulbs I got from Smarthome that are dimmable
via X-10 (more dimmable than most would be a better way to put it) but they
have an oversized base that seriously limits where I can use them (that's a
continuing theme in CFL-land).   I'd really rather see the market move
towards a high-eff. incandescent bulb.

I understand CFL save lots of bucks, and I use them where possible, and I
appreciate the tip but I'd really rather have the HE incandescents that

1) don't afflict my X-10 gear,
2) don't darken considerably over time,
3) don't care if they're cycled on and off by a motion detector,
4) don't care if they're installed base up or down,
5) dim at least two or three steps on X-10 without buzzing
6) don't cause "relighting" or "flickering after turnoff" problems
7) didn't have even a teensy weensy bit of mercury in them  (-:

> Costco sells two different CFL wattages and it is the lower wattage
> bulbs that work. Also I  installed the higher wattage bulbs where I
> have multiple lamps an a circuit (kitchen ceiling). with that I left
> one lamp with an incandescent bulb and the rest CFLS. Again do not dim
> them.

Thanks again for the pointer but the real fix either needs to come from X-10
or the light bulb makers themselves.  The problem is, if they can save a
penny (it's probably a much smaller number) per bulb by using a cheaper
component, they'll do it.  Sometimes that means death to X-10 signals. .

>Sorry I discarded thee packaging so I can't give you the brand
> name. Nooldes

There should be lettering on the base of each bulb with maker, wattage and
other good data.   I would jot that down if I were you simply because I
wouldn't bet that you could get the exact same model from Costco next year,
especially without a model number or UPC to go by.  Surely, they are marked
on the bulb.  Alas, I am not a member of Costco, either, which kind of
queers the deal but perhaps others might be interested in knowing what your
bulbs say.  I've been using the HomeDepot N:Vision bulbs with mixed results.
.

> Robert Green wrote:
> > The X-10/CFL problem has a lot of dimensions, and as far as I can tell,
no
> > neat solutions.  In examing the schematic for the LM465, it became clear
in
> > a way that I hadn't realized before that whatever plugs into that outlet
> > becomes an intimate part of the module's circuitry.  Instead of a
resistive
> > load of fairly fixed properties like a tungsten bulb, we are now
plugging in
> > items that interact with the modules in ways their designers probably
could
> > never anticipate.
> >
> > I'd like to see someone invent a quarter-sized insert (like those old
bulb
> > life extenders that look like little casino-style poker chips) that
would
> > limit CFL-induced noise and signal attenuation AND provide a path for
> > current to leak back to the module to power it and keep the local sense
> > circuit active.  Drop it in the socket, screw a CFL bulb in, and no more
> > X-10 noise, no more CFL flashing or relighting, no more X-10 signal
> > attenuation.
> >
> > Even if it did just two of those things, it would be a boon to the
greening
> > the households of X-10 users.  It seems to me that the connection
between
> > the module and the bulb is the right place to fix the problems because a
lot
> > of the CFL/X-10 issues come from the "bad fit" of CFL's into the circuit
> > designed orginally to accommodate tungsten bulbs.
> >
> > --
> > Bobby G.




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