X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: robert porter on January 22, 2006, 10:22:28 AM

Title: Florescent Lights
Post by: robert porter on January 22, 2006, 10:22:28 AM
I am having a very tough time getting this
simple question answered....

I have several Florescent Light Fixtures
that are "plugged" into my original Wall
Outlets at home. These Florescents have
a "switch" built into the wire that powers
them for On/Off purposes.

My question:  Will an Appliance Module or
an X-10 Wall Outlet work on these
Florescents...? Please Help...

Thanks,

Rob
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: SteveRF on January 22, 2006, 12:42:29 PM
Rob,
I have several FL lamps in my home that are
controlled and operate from lamp modules with
no problem...now the next thing that will
come up is that the manual say's NO NO to FL
lamps... I do not DIM them although they do
have DIMMABLE FL's on the market.  I just use
the lamp modules to turn them on and off.  I
have had no problems at all.  I have 3 FL's
on lamp modules and one Fl on a pocket
rocket...or whatever they call that thing..ha
oh, I used the lamp modules because I didn't
want to hear the appl mods click on and off
in the living room.
Regards,
SteveRF
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Brian H on January 22, 2006, 01:28:50 PM
The two wire wall switches most likely would
have a problem. I have also used the Socket
Rocket for CFLs as it doesn't dim. I have
never used a Lamp Module but Steve has given
some data on thet type. I would never try
and dim one. The Split Wall Outlet may also
work, but like the appliance module Clunks
when switched. Appliance Modules have a
local sensing circuit in them to sense if
you locally switched on the lamp. This
sometimes makes the lamps turn back on all
by itself, depends on the lamp in question.
You already know the official X10 ruling. No
Flourescents in a dimmer type module or
switch. But some have no problems.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: gregg on January 22, 2006, 04:43:49 PM
I use approximately two dozen dimmable CFLs
with lamp modules and light switches.  The
only problem I have encountered when using
dimmable CFLs with light switches (not lamp
modules) is they will flicker when the
light is off. To get around this I only use
the dimmable CFLs in multiple lamp circuits
and include one regular bulb.  ie, my
kitchen light fixture has five lamps; I use
four dimmable CFLs and one incandescent
lamp.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: JMac on February 20, 2007, 12:30:23 PM
Well, I just saw on the internet that Australia is getting rid of incandescent and that in the US, CA and NJ are proposing legislation to do the same.  We'll be working with fluorescent before we know it!
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Tuicemen on February 20, 2007, 12:45:56 PM
robert porter:
Here is a quick test you can perform
[li]1: Turn On your  Florescent Light Fixtures in question then unplug them.[/li]
[li]2: now plug them back in[/li]
[/list]
If the florescent fixtures come back on a appliance module will cycle them. If they don't return "ON" then the in line power switch will need to be removed.
I had some small florescent fixtures that had a push type switch in them and would not return to the on state when plugged back in hopefully that isn't your case! ;) :D ;D

Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: nklght on September 03, 2007, 04:23:24 AM
I use cfl's,
I do not have any problem operating them with socket rockets, or plug in appliance module's.  When I use an appliance switch, the CFL's seem to turn on by themselves.  I can shut off the units controlled by the switch and they seem to be back on an hour later.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Oldtimer on September 03, 2007, 08:28:21 AM
Quote from: nklght on September 03, 2007, 04:23:24 AM
I use cfl's,
I do not have any problem operating them with socket rockets, or plug in appliance module's.  When I use an appliance switch, the CFL's seem to turn on by themselves.  I can shut off the units controlled by the switch and they seem to be back on an hour later.

I use XPS3/WS13A flourescent/appliance wall switches with my CFLs with no problem so far.  I get the CFLs from Home Depot because they produce no line noise and are instant on.  Their color balance also passes the WAF.   test.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Mr Bob on September 17, 2007, 05:29:57 PM
Quote from: Oldtimer on September 03, 2007, 08:28:21 AM

I use XPS3/WS13A flourescent/appliance wall switches with my CFLs with no problem so far.  I get the CFLs from Home Depot because they produce no line noise and are instant on.  Their color balance also passes the WAF.   test.

Can CFL's be dimmed?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Tuicemen on September 17, 2007, 06:17:20 PM
Quote from: Mr Bob on September 17, 2007, 05:29:57 PM

Can CFL's be dimmed?

Thanks!
Some Can! It will state on the package if they can be! ;)
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: KDR on September 17, 2007, 08:28:13 PM
SmartHomes web site sells dimable CFL's but the price is fairly hefty at about $17 each. They say that the bulbs are tested and X10 friendly. They also sell some neat bulb shapes as well. I just got a 7watt (40 watt equivalent) in a small round globe configuration. Works great with X10!

(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)----KDR
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Puck on September 17, 2007, 10:46:15 PM
Quote from: KDR on September 17, 2007, 08:28:13 PM
SmartHomes web site sells dimable CFL's but the price is fairly hefty at about $17 each. They say that the bulbs are tested and X10 friendly. They also sell some neat bulb shapes as well. I just got a 7watt (40 watt equivalent) in a small round globe configuration. Works great with X10!

Thanks KDR... this question comes up a lot and it's good to know that these ones work with X10. Very helpful info. This post needs to be referenced from a sticky. ;)

Just to be clear, are you using it with a non-neutral wire X10 dimmer such as the WS467?
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: KDR on September 18, 2007, 06:38:27 AM
I purchased the small 7 watt non dimable to install in a Socket Rocket but the dimable 23 watt CFL was on backorder. When they get them in stock I plan to get one and test it with 2 wire switches and lamp modules.

(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)---(http://www.bdshost.com/X10/lpup.gif)----KDR
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Brian H on September 18, 2007, 07:02:07 AM
I tried one with the older non soft start Lamp Modules and mine worked to maybe 50% then started to flicker. I also tried it on a Smarthome Lamp Module that soft started abed the result where not too encouraging.
May try it with a two wire switch in mt test board. I think it may not work as the switch steals power through the load.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Duck69 on September 18, 2007, 12:02:42 PM
I bought cheap CFL's at Home Depot and the only problem that I have noticed is in lamps that have 3 brightness levels.
All the other lamps work fine. Even with a Lamp Module & in ceiling Fan/Lights. In the lamps with the 3 brightness levels I have to use an Appliance Module.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: James S. on September 24, 2007, 02:12:03 AM
I'm having difficulty finding the dimmable CFLs.  Could someone tell me the brand name of the dimmable CFLs and perhaps the stores that are most likely to carry them?
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Brian H on September 24, 2007, 06:22:30 PM
I got a few GE's from my electric companies energy savings web site. They now also have Greenlights and I have seen brochures from MaxiLight on their models.
Will see if I can find part numbers and post if found.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Dan Lawrence on September 24, 2007, 08:41:29 PM
Dimmable CFLs are very hard to find in the Baltimore Metro area.  None of the Home Depots carry them, and BGE, our local electric company (formerly Baltimore Gas & Electric Company) website for partners shows Home Depot.   You can get them on the web, but they are pricey and shipping costs are added.

I guess we will wait.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: Duck69 on September 24, 2007, 11:27:49 PM
Popular Mechanics has a very good article about CFL bulbs.
It's a must read !

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/4215199.html
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: HA Dave on November 30, 2007, 06:40:40 PM
I just finished putting up the Christmas lights!

All our icicle lights are LED... saves a huge amount of power. And we set out fewer "things" this year too (no blow-ups). But I wanted a little more BANG too!

There are plenty of the colored flood lights in the stores.... which can add a lot of festive light... but at 85 watts each. Although I searched I could NOT find colored CFL floods (yet). What I did find was spray-on, KRYLON (brand) Crystal Color, transparent finish. I paid 3 bucks for a can of green at Walmart and sprayed a 19 watt CFL floodlight. Lots of bang for the watts.
Title: Re: Florescent Lights
Post by: steven r on November 30, 2007, 08:15:59 PM
Quote from: Dave_x10_L on November 30, 2007, 06:40:40 PM
...All our icicle lights are LED... saves a huge amount of power....
Yea for LEDs!

They really do save money and they never burn out. A typical LED can burn non-stop for over 10 years. They also only use a fraction of the electricity that older Christmas lights did. The LEDs lights I use have a comparison chart on the back of the box. It compared the cost to run 600 C-7 lights, 600 mini lights, and 600 LED lights 6 hours for 30 days.


I was really pleased to hear that this year the Rockefeller Center tree (http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/green-tree-envy/?hp) is being lit with 30,000 LED lights. Also a solar panel is offsetting some of the power cost.