Re: Do these exist: "Instant on" or very rapid start CFL???

[Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 6/8/2011 10:34 PM, Robert Green wrote:
> "Smarty"<nobody@xxxxxxxxxx>  wrote in message
> news:ismi6a$h2n$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> On 6/7/2011 1:29 PM, mkirsch1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>>> On Jun 6, 9:58 pm, Smarty<nob...@xxxxxxxxxx>   wrote:
>>>> Is there such a thing as a true "instant start" CFL which produces full
>>>> intensity brightness as soon as it is turned on? I am trying to find an
>>>> indoor bulb which will not require any warm up period to attain full
>>>> brightness.
>>> So what kind of cockamaime, contrived logic is behind this
>>> requirement?
>>>
>>> The reason I ask is to not necessarily be hurtful, but to see if
>>> perhaps there is some other solution to your problem. People come in
>>> this newsgroup on a regular basis asking for some piece of Rube
>>> Goldberg unconventional uninvented technology to solve a problem that
>>> a different piece of common technology would solve with a lot less
>>> hassle.
>> As I posted earlier in this thread, my question arises from my attempt
>> to provide bright hallway and staircase access for elderly people with
>> diminished eyesight. The original 100 watt incandescent bulbs are only
>> switched on briefly, and CFLs take too long to get adequately bright.
>>
>> As it turns out, the recommendation from "Mal" was 100% correct. I went
>> to Lowes today, found the recently introduced General Electric "hybrid
>> technology" bulbs he described, and took some home for testing.
>>
>> They work superbly well.
>>
>> The two part hybrid design automatically turns on both the CFL and
>> halogen filament to provide full intensity output upon start-up. As the
>> CFL warms up, the halogen bulb is extinguished, and within maybe a
>> minute or so the lamp is 100% CFL.
>>
>> There is a small color shift as the color temperature shifts from warmer
>> (approx 2500 degrees Kelvin) to a cooler, bluer CFL temperature as the
>> halogen lamp is replaced by the CFL output. The effect is not something
>> you would normally see unless you are looking for it.
>>
>> The 75 watt equivalent version of the bulb consumes 20 watts, produces
>> over 1200 lumens output, is warrantied for 5 years for free replacement,
>> and is estimated to last for 7.3 years in average service. They are sold
>> at Lowes for $13 for two bulbs.
>>
>> This is an ideal solution for me, saving a lot of watts, maintaining
>> true "instant on", and having (supposedly) a long, warrantied life
>> expectancy.
>>
>> The nearest LED equivalent at Lowes was being offered on "clearance" for
>> $29 for 1 bulb. Much longer predicted life but considerably lower
>> lumens, 840 to be exact.
>>
>> I am extremely impressed with this new, dual hybrid design from a
>> lighting performance point of view. Time will tell if their MTBF /
>> failure / life expectancy prediction holds.
>>
>> I personally trust that GE will stand behind their warranty and are
>> unlikely to be exaggerating their claims. On the other hand, I have
>> several examples of "instant on" CFLs from Sylvania, Phillips, etc.
>> which are not in any way delivering anywhere near full output until
>> literally a minute or two after they are switched on. This GE is in a
>> class by itself.
>>
>> Thanks again to all who responded. As always, the knowledge and talent
>> on this forum is incredible and very much appreciated.
>
> That's great news.  I am about to order one from Amazon to see how they
> interact with my X-10 home automation system.  CFL bulbs have been a serious
> problem for X-10 users because their electronic profile is so different from
> tungsten incandescent bulbs, the kind X-10 was designed around.  Of course,
> Amazon's price is double that of Lowe's, but it might be weeks before I got
> up that way and I wanted to see how X-10 controller modules reacted to the
> lightbulb.
>
> I'm hoping these will eliminate the terrible problem of CFL's turning
> themselves back on because of how they work with the slight current trickle
> used in X-10 circuits to sense local control of the switch.  I've got my
> fingers crossed.  It could be the miracle bulb for both of us!
>
> --
> Bobby G.
>
>
I modified lamp modules in 2 different ways to make them silent
appliance modules.  They both work with CFLs with no problems.  One
of the mods uses a solid state relay and doesn't retain the X10
local on feature, which is ok with me.  This mod will switch up to 5
amps.  Here's a link http://mysite.verizon.net/res1fl57/id11.html
The other mod is a little more complicated as you have to add a deal
roach (upside down IC), etc.  It does retain the local on, but in my
case, I disconnected that  lead because I know the small current
which it squirts into the lamp would probably cause CFLs or even LED
Christmas lights some problems.  Here's a link
http://idobartana.com/hakb/silent_local.htm   I think just removing
the 330K resistor removes the local sense current.  But both work
very well.