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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: Brian H on June 16, 2009, 07:25:34 PM

Title: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: Brian H on June 16, 2009, 07:25:34 PM
I recently purchased an EarthLED EvoLux S LED light bulb. I though other maybe curious as to what I think of it.

I chose warm white color. 3000K; 1000 Lumen. It also comes in a cool white 6000K; 1075 Lumen.
Universal Power 90 to 277 Volts AC. 50-60 cycle. 13 Watts Max. Typical 12 Watts.
180 degree Beam Angle.
Small; fairly quiet; internal fan to keep the LED assembly and power supply cool.
Not for dimmer circuits and modules.
There is a dimmer version at an additional cost.

The sales literature and photos say “Comparable to a 100 watt incandescence light bulb”. I feel this is a stretch at best. My Sylvania Daylight 100 watt bulb is 1270 Lumen and a GE Reveal 100 is 1260 Lumen. But since the light is concentrated to 180 degrees the light is directional. If the area being illuminated ; is in the beams path. It is very bright. Maybe what you would get with a 100 watt incandescent that has a broader Beam Angle.
If it is in my table lamp where the bulb faces up. The celling has a bright halo on it.

Tested with an ELK ESM-1 and a Smarthome TesterLinc.
Bulb worked fine in:
X10 Older Appliance Module
X10 CFL friendly Appliance Module
Smarthome 20001SHL X10 only ApplianceLinc
Smarthome 2456S3 ApplianceLinc V2 Rev. 1.3
Smarthome 2546S3 ApplianceLinc V2 Rev. 4.1

Did not like a Socket Rocket.
Lighted fine and was stable.
Like some newer CFL Bulbs. It generated lots of power line noise in a Socket Rocket. Four to five bars on the ESM-1 and a 120KHz count of 004-005 on the TesterLinc. In fact the noise occasionally flashed the Green Good X10 Command Light on the ESM-1.

I feel the cost of $79.99 each maybe a bit steep; for the results I found.
If memory serves me the dimmer version added $20 to the cost.

Though LEDs maybe a better choice in years to follow.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: HA Dave on June 16, 2009, 09:21:52 PM
....I though other maybe curious as to what I think of it.

I am certainly interested.

Tested with an ELK ESM-1 and a Smarthome TesterLinc.
Bulb worked fine in:
X10 Older Appliance Module
X10 CFL friendly Appliance Module
Smarthome 20001SHL X10 only ApplianceLinc
Smarthome 2456S3 ApplianceLinc V2 Rev. 1.3
Smarthome 2546S3 ApplianceLinc V2 Rev. 4.1

Did not like a Socket Rocket.
Lighted fine and was stable.
Like some newer CFL Bulbs. It generated lots of power line noise in a Socket Rocket. Four to five bars on the ESM-1 and a 120KHz count of 004-005 on the TesterLinc. In fact the noise occasionally flashed the Green Good X10 Command Light on the ESM-1.

Great info to know... THANK YOU for sharing.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: Brian H on June 17, 2009, 06:35:15 AM
I am going to try a unused Socket Rocket [love those 4 or 5 for the price of 1 sales] and retest. I have had a few newer CFL and CCFL bulbs make line noise. I want to double check that maybe my test Socket Rocket is on its last days.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: steven r on June 17, 2009, 08:39:00 AM
Thanks for the info!

I'm looking forward to the price of LED bulbs dropping. Hopefully they will become better option than CFLs.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: JeffVolp on June 17, 2009, 09:19:54 AM
Your noise data is similar to what I saw with a 4W 120V MR16 LED bulb from Lumoform.  It was the worst noise source I ever encountered because the noise was generated almost exactly at 120KHz.  It blocked even the high-end Leviton X10 switches (with gated AGC) from working reliably on that circuit.  Now that these 120V LED lights are beginning to work their way into the mainstream, I think we are in for even a worse set of problems then we have from CFLs.

Jeff
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: steven r on June 17, 2009, 10:10:22 AM
...Now that these 120V LED lights are beginning to work their way into the mainstream, I think we are in for even a worse set of problems then we have from CFLs...
That's sad to hear.
Sounds like there might soon be a market for a screw in X10 filter. Would this be possible/practical?
i.e. Could filter circuitry be small enough to fit in the light socket without having bulbs stick out to far?
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: JeffVolp on June 17, 2009, 10:37:14 AM
Sounds like there might soon be a market for a screw in X10 filter. Would this be possible/practical?
i.e. Could filter circuitry be small enough to fit in the light socket without having bulbs stick out to far?

Sure.  At the current used by CFLs and 120V LED bulbs, a filter could certainly be built much smaller than a socket rocket.  It could easily fit into something like this:

http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/25_902_974

Jeff
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: Brian H on June 17, 2009, 12:08:44 PM
The noise was only on the line if it was in a Socket Rocket. Alone it was fine. I can only think its electronics messed with the triac in the Socket Rocket.
I have had a few newer CFLs also do this.
May try a new Socket Rocket as my test one maybe on the last legs so to speak.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: dave w on June 17, 2009, 02:34:42 PM

May try a new Socket Rocket as my test one maybe on the last legs so to speak.
Maybe check the "E" drop across the SR. That should tell you how hard the triac is gated and an indication of general health(?).
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: HA Dave on June 17, 2009, 04:00:41 PM
.. I'm looking forward to the price of LED bulbs dropping. Hopefully they will become better option than CFLs.

I think ALL the light sources are better.. at one thing or another.

Right now... I am using sunlight. Its great... a good true light. Because it isn't too hot outside... I am getting both climate control and light for free from the same windows too.
I put up a light fixture in my stepdaughters garage yesterday too. And used a regular 60 watt incandescent bulb.. because in cold winter temperatures... they still light instantly... unlike CFL.
I used a SocketRocket for her VERY low wattage over-cabinet lights too. Its just a string of LED Christmas lights... but it takes the dark out of the corner... and makes a nice nightlight too.
She even has one of those light-sensor porchlights that uses a CFL. It burns all night everynight... but I think it only uses 7 watts.

It's not like the old days.... when a few packages of 60 watt bulbs... pretty much handled most things. But I really think.. as our attention is directed towards the lighting's uses, shadows, colors, costs and everything..... we'll end up with BETTER lighting.

Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: Brian H on June 17, 2009, 06:55:38 PM
Date Code on my test Socket Rocket fell off.  ???

Found five in the storage area.
Four are 05E22 and with the LED Bulb give an ESM1 reading of four to five bars.
One older 01F26 gave one bar and when the bulb was completely warm. No bars.

Voltage drop across the test Socket Rocket was 1.6 VAC with a 40 watt bulb and 11.66 VAC with the LED Bulb.

Kill A Watt Meter gives a Power Factor on the LED Bulb that varied from .75-.85 until warmed up then it dropped to .70-.80.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: -Bill- (of wgjohns.com) on June 18, 2009, 09:52:42 PM
Brian H,

I hope you don't mind if I chime in here, but in the "small world" category, I just bought a couple EarthLED DirectLED FL T5 4 foot tubes (with fixture).

I chose cool white color. 6000K; 900 Lumens (or so they claim).
Universal Power 85 to 265 Volts AC. 50-60 cycle. 13 Watts Max. Typical 12 Watts.
No fan.
Not for dimmer circuits and modules.

I agree that the light output may not be as bright as rated on their site, but it is quite bright.

I have only tested it in a appliance module.

I don't have any serious test equipment for line noise and such, but they have had no noticable effect on my X10 reception.

Where I have them mounted they actually shine up toward the peak of my vaulted ceiling (white) from about 4 feet down.  A single one lights the livingroom, diningroom and kitchen well enough to see and even read by.  Both lit is like a bright sunny day!

You're right, the cost is steep but I love only pulling 12 Watts for my normal nightime illumination.  Even my CFL (60 Watt equivalent) pulled 25 Watts!   8)

Oh!  In case anyone is interested in them, here's a link: http://www.earthled.com/DirectLED-t5-led-tube-replacement.html (http://www.earthled.com/DirectLED-t5-led-tube-replacement.html)
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: Brian H on June 19, 2009, 06:21:00 AM
Bill; Thanks for the information and findings. I am sure it may assist others trying to find alternate light sources and trying to make decisions.
Sounds like the tube LEDs maybe a good choice for some and yes the low power usage is a plus.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: Brian H on November 07, 2009, 10:49:29 AM
I had a chance to revisit the EvoLuxS LED Bulbs and  noise issues.

I was trying to look at the noise with a Smarthome TesterLinc in the 'Noise Mode' 120KHz Activity readout.
Every time I turned the bulb on the TesterLinc LOCKED UP and had to be powered down to correct.

Using my Heathkit 4554 40MHz scope this time.
An X10Pro XPCP Phase Coupler. One phase connected to a Line Cord the other to the scope for isolation.
10 Ohm resistor load on the scope side.

There was 5 Volts PP of noise showing. Looked like few high frequency signals beating together as they added and subtracted. It could be the universal 90 to 277 Volt power supply.

This was with the adapter and bulb in the same outlet.

Moved the bulb to a few different areas of the home and got between 600mv to 1500mv PP.

Didn't seem to effect X10 signals but I do have an XTB-IIR to blast signal through the house.

The noise may cause X10 modules with AGP to do strange things.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: HA Dave on November 07, 2009, 11:03:20 AM
I had a chance to revisit the EvoLuxS LED Bulbs and  noise issues.
.......  The noise may cause X10 modules with AGP to do strange things.

This great useful and HELPFUL information Brian H. Thank you so much for sharing. I don't have the skills or tools to investigate that for myself... and there is a limit to how many "test LED's" the wife will allow me to buy as well. This information benefits everyone of us. It's nice to have it on record here at the forum.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: Brian H on January 16, 2010, 06:57:20 PM
Was doing some CCFL; CFL and LED noise tests with my XTBM.
The EvoLux S bulbs have noise reading of 0.99 volts.
On the branch I was using the X10 signal is 9.95 just below max scale. The bulb caused about a 3 volt reduction in signal at the outlet.
So it is a very noisy and signal sucking bulb.
As I mentioned in other therads; it also hates Socket Rockets. Probably because of its power supply that can do 90 to 277 volts AC input at 50 or 60 Hz.
Title: Re: EarthLED EvoLux S Light Bulb Tests
Post by: HA Dave on January 16, 2010, 09:03:59 PM
... So it is a very noisy and signal sucking bulb.

I just plugged in my first (2) X10 filter(s) the other day. Looks like I am going to need to learn/do more to handle new(er) devices... as time goes on. Thanks for doing the research Brian H... it helps us all.