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[Mysticle31]

I've been collecting parts to build my X10 system on ebay.  If I see something that's a good deal (read, cheap) I buy it.  I just finished, I have enough to build my system and start playing. 

Now I've read that by 2014 there will be no more incandescent bulbs. 
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/27/light-bulb-ban-on-horizon/
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_incandescent_light_bulbs

The most expensive things I ordered were a couple of FanLincs, and they will be unusable when I run out of incandescent bulbs!  Ohh! That's what I get for trying to invest in old old technology I guess. 

I take it I should stick to newer X10 stuff to maximize compatibility?  Do I have some LED options? 

[dave w]

All is not lost. Stock up on incandescents now.

As far as LED options, generally:
None of the X10 two wire switches (WS467, WS12, etc) will work with LED's or CFL's. Appliance Modules, and any X10 or Smarthome wall switch that require a neutral line should work. If you have a dimmable controller then you need to use a dimmable bulb (CFL or LED).

Since the FanLincs require a neutral wire, are you sure they will not work on non-incandescent fan lights as long as they are dimmable?

[Mysticle31]

Thanks for the responce.  Yeah.  Looks like a trip to Costco is in order for some bulbs. 

I'm glad my house is from the mid 90s.  Most all of my switch provisions that I've seen have neutrals!  I hope I don't end up living in an older home .

OK, so I'll move the two wire switches to low use areas and not buy anymore.

Are my Lamp Modules toast too?

Is there a neutral for the appliance modules?

The FanLincs do have a neutral, but it does say in the manual incandescent only.  Maybe there is another reason they put that in there.  I dont know yet.

[Brian H]

Incadescents are replaceable with Halogen versions that do meet the Energy Requirements and should work with two wire X10 wall Switches. I have a 72 watt one that is made to replace an older 100 watt incandescent.

Lamp and Appliance Modules plug into AC outlets and they do have Line and Neutral power.
Most dimmable LED, CFL and CCFL bulbs will work with Lamp Modules. I have done some tests and a few brand LED Bulbs do act strange with some Lamp Modules. With the newer Soft Start and older Instant On ones acting differently.
All should work with Appliance Modules.

Now as for the FanLinc. You may want to look or ask in the Smarthome and UDI {makers of the ISY Controller Products} forums. They deal with the FanLinc all the time.
http://www.insteon.net/pdf/2475f.pdf
http://www.smarthome.com/forum/default.asp
http://forum.universal-devices.com/index.php

[Dave4720]

That's why I already got a hundred 100W'ers and a hundred 75W'ers last year.  Hope you can find them.  Don't worry, they'll be eBay for $10 soon. 

[Mysticle31]

Yeah.  I think I was just down/frustrated when I discoverd that.  There are lots of smart people on here, I'm sure someone will have advice/experence to go along with mine and find a way to make it work.   

Either that or just upgrade to a newer system.  It's not like I spent 1000s of dollars on it (Yet).

[Noam]

That's why I already got a hundred 100W'ers and a hundred 75W'ers last year.  Hope you can find them.  Don't worry, they'll be eBay for $10 soon. 

Good idea. Buy up a ton of bulbs when they are cheap, sell them at $10 each after the supply goes away.

[Noam]

Yeah.  I think I was just down/frustrated when I discoverd that.  There are lots of smart people on here, I'm sure someone will have advice/experence to go along with mine and find a way to make it work.   

Either that or just upgrade to a newer system.  It's not like I spent 1000s of dollars on it (Yet).

All incandescents aren't going away. There are just rules in place to stop allowing the manufacture of the most energy-inefficient ones in the US. The smaller ones will still be available, and there are alternatives for the large ones that are more energy-efficient (like Halogen bulbs), yet are still compatible with this type of module.
Why not try the halogen bulbs. They are going to still continue to be manufactured, and they will pass current just like the incandescent bulbs do.

[rjniles]

I will play the devil's advocate. Restricting the availability of incandescent lamps is a good thing. Early on I was not impressed by CFLs and LEDs were too expensive. In fact I have a case of 60 watt incandescent lamps  in my garage that I doubt I will ever use. CFLs have gotten much better with better color rendering, rapid start and dimmability. LEDs have gotten cheap enough for me to buy them. I buy the Ecosmart 40 watt replacement LEDs at Home Depot for $10 and they give as much light as an old 60 watter and use only 9 watts.

While Halogen lamps are marginally more efficient than incandescent, they pale in comparison to CFL or LED.

I believe it is smarter to modify our home automation systems to utilize CFL and LED rather than find workarounds to continue the use of energy inefficient lighting technology

[dave w]

I believe it is smarter to modify our home automation systems to utilize CFL and LED rather than find workarounds to continue the use of energy inefficient lighting technology

$0.02
It is a double edged sword. Lower current lighting is great for our electric bills and lightening the load on the over taxed power grid.

However, CFLs contain mercury and LEDs contain other heavy metals and rare earth doping elements. If either of these technologies actually made their predicted life span would be one thing, but their internal power supplies crap out long, long, before the LEDs and and the fluorescent tubes do because manufacturers can essentially "go cheap" in those areas.

There are ways of getting a CFL or LED bulb to work with a two wire X10 switch, (WS467, WS12A, etc) but there isn't enough of a market for a manufacturer to develop the socket adaptor device to do it....sigh.

[Brian H]

Most CFLs and some LED bulbs have a lousy power factor. Usually around 0.5. So apparent and actual used power is not the same.

Most folks don't realize that LED bulbs have a Inrush current and repetitive peek current spikes. Many times the rated power useage.
That is why most LED Bulb manufacturers give you a value to use when determining how many of their LED bulbs can be on a dimmer.

Example Cree LR6 LED bulbs. Say use a 75 watt value when determining how many can be used on a dimmer.
http://www.cree.com/~/media/Files/Cree/Lighting/Dimming/RecommendedDimmersforLR4andLR6Families.pdf

I have a Lighting Science Group Definity A19 8.5 watt LED bulb. They say count each one as a 80 watt load.
I also don't know how they got FCC approval. They spew so much RF garbage. All my FM Radios in the house are effected.  
I also have an Ecosmart ECS 19 WW 120 that also seems to emit some RF but not as bad. It is also an LSG product.

[dhouston]

The moving force behind the ban on incandescents was the manufacturers who were eager to replace $0.25 incandescents with $25 CFLs. While they hid behind the tree-huggers, they were the ones financing the campaign and lobbying the politicians and are now the ones laughing all the way to the bank.

The energy savings are minimal as residential lighting represents a small part of total energy use. Lighting represents about 9% of residential energy use according to DOE figures. Residential use represents about 33% of total energy use. Most commercial/industrial lighting was already more efficient than CFLs. So, even replacing 100% of incandescents only saves 1-2% of total energy.

And, the switch to fracked natural gas from coal fired generators has already resulted in a much, much larger reduction in carbon emissions than that due to banning incandescents.

All that said, I expect WiFi controlled LEDs will be dominant in the near future. And, I suspect X10 sees the same handwriting on the wall so is merely trying to hang on by their fingertips for a few more years.

Plus, I have also stocked up on 130V incandescents. I suspect my stash will outlast me.

[Dan Lawrence]

Just a question:  Do they make 3-way CFL's?  I have 3 3-Way Lamps that use incandescent bulbs in my Living Room (Which are all X10 controlled.)

[dave w]

Plus, I have also stocked up on 130V incandescents. I suspect my stash will outlast me.

In that case I hope you have at least few dozen cases in the basement.

[Brian H]

Dan, Yes they do make 3 way CFLs.
Not too easy to find. A search with your favorite search engine should find some if you can't find them locally.
I have one that is 11,18,23 watts. Replaces a 30,70,100 watt incandescent bulb.
Not made for dimmers. So X10 Lamp Modules and Dimmer Wall Switches would not work.
Appliance Modules should be OK.