...Also anyone remember how much do they reduce the light output?
I'd like to say about 50%, because, logically the bulb is only getting ½ of the sine wave. But, IIRC, reading on the NG:comp.home.automation, duty-cycle vs. watts consumed wasn't proportional (SEARCH for Dave Houston - he did a *LOT* of interesting tests).
One device sold to do this is an ordinary silicon diode built into a cap that is made to stick to the base of a light bulb. A diode lets current through in only one direction, causing the bulb to get power only 50 percent of the time if it is operated on AC. This effectively reduces the applied voltage by about 30 percent. (Reducing the voltage to its original value times the square root of .5 results in the same power consumption as applying full voltage half the time.) The life expectancy is increased very dramatically. However, the power consumption is reduced by about 40 percent (not 50 since the cooler filament has less resistance) and light output is reduced by about 70 percent (cooler filaments are less efficient at radiating visible light).
Before *CHEAP* CFLs, I replaced a 25 Watt Tungsten in the kitchen over the little breakfast table with a 40 Watt Tungsten with thumbswitch / diode. WAF didn't change, so, I guess it was close.
...There's no reason why they would affect an X10 signal is there?
Come on Steven - what kind of Tinkerer / Oldtimer are you?
- Wall switch or lamp module
. - 1N400X diode, where X > 2
. - 120VAC Test lamp (or drop light or old lamp, etc...)
. - A few pieces of scrap zip cord, alligator clips, wire nuts, etc...
Please be sure to post your results!
