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Author Topic: compact fluorescent light bulb questions  (Read 6059 times)

shadowhywind

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compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« on: November 13, 2008, 09:11:50 AM »

As more of my lights keep burning out, I am starting to switch to the CFL's. I heard that they don't work so well with x10 products. So i was wondering any tips on using them. I have a feeling, that using the LM15A is probably out of the question, but what about using the AM466 (3-pin appliance module). Any issues?
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dave w

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2008, 11:59:57 AM »

No, I have CFLs in Socket Rockets and experience no problems.

Old Appliance Modules could make CFLs blink or flicker in the OFF mode. The new Appliance Modules (shipping for maybe three months) seems to have fixed that problem.

The two wire wall switch (WS467 and WS12) do not like CFLs.

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GNiessen

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2008, 08:45:23 PM »

How about the Security Floodlights?  Can they handle a pair of CFL flood bulbs?
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Dan Lawrence

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2008, 09:23:43 PM »

How about the Security Floodlights?  Can they handle a pair of CFL flood bulbs?

The only way to find out is to try a pair of  CFL flood bulbs and see what happens.  Report back here what you found.
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HA Dave

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2008, 11:00:32 AM »

How about the Security Floodlights?  Can they handle a pair of CFL flood bulbs?

Mine (PR511) handles the CFL floods just fine.
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dave w

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2008, 12:40:34 PM »

How about the Security Floodlights?  Can they handle a pair of CFL flood bulbs?
The security floods use a relay to turn on the lights, they do not have local control, so in theory the sockets should handle incandescents, CFLs, LEDs, etc with no problems.
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steven r

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2008, 01:02:03 PM »

How about the Security Floodlights?  Can they handle a pair of CFL flood bulbs?
I generally stay away from CFLs. I consider them to be environmental time bombs. I look forward to one day looking back on them the same way we do 8 track tape players. I genarally like to keep mercury away from me whether it's in a CFL or a flu shot.

Ok. Stepping off the soap box... I decided to try them for my X10 camera floods since they seem to come on all the time.
For me, I had mixed results. The ones in back of the house are still working but the ones in front burned out in a couple months. Now I have to find a place to recycle them.

« Last Edit: November 18, 2008, 01:03:36 PM by steven r »
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HA Dave

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2008, 04:21:09 PM »


I generally stay away from CFLs. I consider them to be environmental time bombs. I look forward to one day looking back on them the same way we do 8 track tape players. I genarally like to keep mercury away from me whether it's in a CFL or a flu shot.


Here Here! I agree completely about CFL's. However I do use some.... even mercury is a natural element and has its uses.

The CFL floodlights are a slow-starters... they reach full brightness slowly. I have floodlights as part of my perimeter alert/protection system. One light is a bit too close to a neighbors bedroom window. By using a CFL I removed the "shock" of a floodlight coming on while they sleep. So if I return home in the middle of the night... or a critter digs in my trash can...  (that one light by itself) doesn't wake the neighbor.
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drealt

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2008, 06:31:07 PM »

I just bought my system in the last couple weeks and those CFLs do flicker.  Does anyone have an alternate solution?

D
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Brian H

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Re: compact fluorescent light bulb questions
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2008, 06:47:28 AM »

I just bought two CCFL [Cold Cathode Flourescent] bulbs and expect to do tests on them. With a report to follow here. Litetronics Micro Brite MB-800DP
They a reported to start instantly; not need a warm up time and dim to 10%. Some even can be flashed in things like signs.
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