Durability of small screw in flourescents...?

[Kenneth]

Howdy,

We use many of the (currently popular) screw in fluorescent
bulbs.

We often get 'em at Home Depot, and they have a seven year
replacement warrantee.

None have lasted more than two years, and, to date, we have
received on the order of two dozen as warrantee
replacements. The manufacturer does not even ask that we
return the failed bulbs.

More than a few have failed in less than a month, and since
the first of those, I mark 'em with the date of installation
and the date of failure.

When I first noticed the very short MTBF, I called the
manufacturer's tech folks. The first thing they asked was
for a description of the fixtures that hold them. They are
(mostly) ceiling cans of the sort that are closed on the
top, and open on the bottom. When I provided that answer, I
was told that such an installation should not be affecting
the length of life of the bulb.

So, I have become curious...

How long do these things last for others out there?

Many thanks,

 

[ransley]

Howdy,

We use many of the (currently popular) screw in fluorescent
bulbs.

We often get 'em at Home Depot, and they have a seven year
replacement warrantee.

None have lasted more than two years, and, to date, we have
received on the order of two dozen as warrantee
replacements. The manufacturer does not even ask that we
return the failed bulbs.

More than a few have failed in less than a month, and since
the first of those, I mark 'em with the date of installation
and the date of failure.

When I first noticed the very short MTBF, I called the
manufacturer's tech folks. The first thing they asked was
for a description of the fixtures that hold them. They are
(mostly) ceiling cans of the sort that are closed on the
top, and open on the bottom. When I provided that answer, I
was told that such an installation should not be affecting
the length of life of the bulb.

So, I have become curious...

How long do these things last for others out there?

Many thanks,

Heat does kill the electronics faster. I have about 60 HD cfls going
for 2 years, one that blew was in an enclosed ceiling light. Ive only
had 2 failures. Your fixture is holding the heat, but you have a 7 yr
warranty. Do you just go back to HD or do you have to mail them in.

 

[Kenneth]

Heat does kill the electronics faster. I have about 60 HD cfls going
for 2 years, one that blew was in an enclosed ceiling light. Ive only
had 2 failures. Your fixture is holding the heat, but you have a 7 yr
warranty. Do you just go back to HD or do you have to mail them in.

Hi again,

I should have mentioned that last issue...

The first time or two that I accumulated a half dozen, I
just took them with me the next time I went to HD. I brought
them to the returns desk, and two minutes later left with a
stack of new bulbs.

Then, when I went to do that again, a manager got involved
and made a very big deal of it telling me that I had to
contact the manufacturer.

I did that, and then replaced the bulbs with no hassle.
IIRC, they asked on the first occasion that I send them
back, but after that they just asked me how many had failed.

All the best,

 

[Malcolm Hoar]

We use many of the (currently popular) screw in fluorescent
bulbs.

I installed a whole bunch (~25) a couple of years ago
and only one unit has failed thus far.

I do seem to have bad luck with flourescent tubes; they
always seem to fail prematurely. And, yes, I always
replace both tubes in a two-tube fitting at the same
time. Usually, I replace the ballast too.

It's a bummer since replacement and disposal of the
dead bodies is a significant hassle.

--
|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| Malcolm Hoar "The more I practice, the luckier I get". |
| (e-mail address removed) Gary Player. |
| http://www.malch.com/ Shpx gur PQN. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[KLS]

We use many of the (currently popular) screw in fluorescent
bulbs. [CUT]
How long do these things last for others out there?

We've been in this house for 6 years, also about when we started using
these compact flourescent bulbs, and none have died yet. They're also
all Phillips or Sylvania (I don't think we have any GE bulbs). One
older Phillips CFL has to be 7 years old and is lit every night for
more than 5 hours at a time. We don't use these in short duration
on/off situations, like bathrooms or the front porch, and we don't
have flaky power in the house. No complaints.

 

[Smitty Two]

I installed a whole bunch (~25) a couple of years ago
and only one unit has failed thus far.

I do seem to have bad luck with flourescent tubes; they
always seem to fail prematurely. And, yes, I always
replace both tubes in a two-tube fitting at the same
time. Usually, I replace the ballast too.

It's a bummer since replacement and disposal of the
dead bodies is a significant hassle.

I struggle to read the disposal instructions without my glasses,
particularly around dusk. But I'm pretty sure they say "Dispose of in
your neighbor's trash can."

 

[ransley]

Howdy,

We use many of the (currently popular) screw in fluorescent
bulbs.

We often get 'em at Home Depot, and they have a seven year
replacement warrantee.

None have lasted more than two years, and, to date, we have
received on the order of two dozen as warrantee
replacements. The manufacturer does not even ask that we
return the failed bulbs.

More than a few have failed in less than a month, and since
the first of those, I mark 'em with the date of installation
and the date of failure.

When I first noticed the very short MTBF, I called the
manufacturer's tech folks. The first thing they asked was
for a description of the fixtures that hold them. They are
(mostly) ceiling cans of the sort that are closed on the
top, and open on the bottom. When I provided that answer, I
was told that such an installation should not be affecting
the length of life of the bulb.

So, I have become curious...

How long do these things last for others out there?

Many thanks,

Maybe you have voltage problems and surges, but heat is the likely
cause.

 

[JIMMIE]

Maybe you have voltage problems and surges, but heat is the likely
cause.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ive done some failure analysis * on some of these and found its the
electronics that usually fails. I dont doubt that they would work for
7 years of normal use if the elctronics wasnt being operated at its
limits.

* I cracked them open to see what smoked.

 

[bob haller]

I think that overheating would cause premature failure.
Problem comes up with fixtures that cover the lamp
with a complete glass ball. ( as in bathroom fixtures )

I blew a CF once while waxing a lamps wood piece, some of the spray
must have gotten to the lamp, poof smoke

I never do that now, spray cloth apply to wood spindle on lamp

 

[bob haller]

I blew a CF once while waxing a lamps wood piece, some of the spray
must have gotten to the lamp, poof smoke

I never do that now, spray cloth apply to wood spindle on lamp

my pole lamp ate CFs in the summer so I added a couple washers between
the glass holder part and top which allows some air flow.

CFs last longer

 

[stan]

I installed a whole bunch (~25) a couple of years ago
and only one unit has failed thus far.

I do seem to have bad luck with fluorescent tubes; they
always seem to fail prematurely. And, yes, I always
replace both tubes in a two-tube fitting at the same
time. Usually, I replace the ballast too.

It's a bummer since replacement and disposal of the
dead bodies is a significant hassle.

--
|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| Malcolm Hoar           "The more I practice, the luckier I get". |
| (e-mail address removed)                                    Gary Player. |
|http://www.malch.com/              Shpx gur PQN.                |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's strange!
I rarely replace both tubes, and in fact just take from a stack of 40
or 50 old used tubes from a school renovation project.
occasionally one of the used tubes will be bad, but infrequently.
Also; only occasionally replace a ballast (again have stack of 'used'
spares) and only in very old decrepit/use/second-hand fixtures that
we 'fix-up' to use over work benches, garage etc. Have never replaced
ballast in any of the new household/kitchen fixtures. So far have
never needed to replace an 'electronic' ballast, got a couple of them
spare as well!
We are 115 volt 60 hertz AC here.

 

[Kenneth]

I think that overheating would cause premature failure.
Problem comes up with fixtures that cover the lamp
with a complete glass ball. ( as in bathroom fixtures )

Hi,

I'm the OP, and mine are in vertical cans that have an open
bottom. Perhaps they are overheating, but on average, I get
6-8 months.

All the best,

 

[Smitty Two]

Hi,

I'm the OP, and mine are in vertical cans that have an open
bottom. Perhaps they are overheating, but on average, I get
6-8 months.

Many CFLs are not designed to be used in ceiling fixtures, as the heat
tends to rise and cook the base. Your manufacturer said it wasn't a
problem, but I'm unconvinced.

I've only tried a few CFLs in my life, and the average life was pretty
short. Several burned out within 24 hours.

 

[ransley]

Hi,

I'm the OP, and mine are in vertical cans that have an open
bottom. Perhaps they are overheating, but on average, I get
6-8 months.

All the best,

Try the Floods they are designed for heat

 

[harry k]

Many CFLs are not designed to be used in ceiling fixtures, as the heat
tends to rise and cook the base. Your manufacturer said it wasn't a
problem, but I'm unconvinced.

I've only tried a few CFLs in my life, and the average life was pretty
short. Several burned out within 24 hours.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I have had two in outdoor lights, one enclosed, for about as long as
they have been available. Replaced both once each in all that time.
Have several in the house and don't recall ever changing one of those.

Harry K

 

[Smitty Two]

I don't know where you got those CFLs, but I get mine in 8 packs at
Sam's Club. I must have 20 or so installed, with some being a few years
old, and others recently converted from incands.
I've only had a couple fail in any of them. My CFLs are made in China,
but there is no band name on them.
As for heat, the heat is much less than an incandescent bulb. You can
unscrew a lit CFL with bare fingers and hold it by any part, including
the metal screw-in base, with no fear of burning your hand.
I have one in a desk lamp with a unperforated metal shade (like a small
mixing bowl) and I can lay my hand on the metal shade and it is just warm.
I have them in outside door lamps where Winter's outside temps can go
down into single digits (F). They are a little slow to get up to maximum
illuminations, but they do in about 10 seconds.
I also have a number of them in can type ceiling fixtures with plastic
lenses. If I had as much trouble with CFLs as others here reportedly
have, I would have quit them long ago.

Well, that's interesting. The ones I've used were all name brand, full
price bulbs from Ace Hardware. What I believe happened with this
technology is that the first ones made were very, very good and likely
gave close to advertised life.

But, when they started becoming popular despite the high purchase price,
the cheap shit appeared by the container ship load. And by "cheap" I'm
talking about construction quality, although prices of course came down
too. Why so many people have such contempt for the technology as a whole
is clear to me. Why so many have such adoration for it remains somewhat
of a mystery, though.

 

[letterman]

Howdy,

We use many of the (currently popular) screw in fluorescent
bulbs.

We often get 'em at Home Depot, and they have a seven year
replacement warrantee.

None have lasted more than two years, and, to date, we have
received on the order of two dozen as warrantee
replacements. The manufacturer does not even ask that we
return the failed bulbs.

More than a few have failed in less than a month, and since
the first of those, I mark 'em with the date of installation
and the date of failure.

When I first noticed the very short MTBF, I called the
manufacturer's tech folks. The first thing they asked was
for a description of the fixtures that hold them. They are
(mostly) ceiling cans of the sort that are closed on the
top, and open on the bottom. When I provided that answer, I
was told that such an installation should not be affecting
the length of life of the bulb.

So, I have become curious...

How long do these things last for others out there?

Many thanks,

I have never found ony of the spiral types to last anywhere close to
their advertised 5 years or whatever. On the other hand, I installed
2 STRAIGHT cf bulbs about 7 years ago in a kitchen fixture, which
stays on almost all the time. One bulb lasted about 5 years, the
other one still works. Those older staright ones were clumbsy and did
not fit into fixtures too well, with their straight loop sticking out
about 6 inches, but they were well made and lasted. These newer
spiral ones are all junk.

 

[David Nebenzahl]

I have never found ony of the spiral types to last anywhere close to
their advertised 5 years or whatever. On the other hand, I installed
2 STRAIGHT cf bulbs about 7 years ago in a kitchen fixture, which
stays on almost all the time. One bulb lasted about 5 years, the
other one still works. Those older staright ones were clumbsy and
did not fit into fixtures too well, with their straight loop sticking
out about 6 inches, but they were well made and lasted. These newer
spiral ones are all junk.

Not my experience (w/spiral CFLs) at all. I have several burning now
that have been working for nigh onto four-five years now with no
problems. Most of them seem to be the Feit Electric ones (subsidized by
PG&E in these parts several years ago), as well as some other odd brands.

What brand are the ones you call "junk"?


--
Personally, I like Vista, but I probably won't use it. I like it
because it generates considerable business for me in consulting and
upgrades. As long as there is hardware and software out there that
doesn't work, I stay in business. Incidentally, my company motto is
"If this stuff worked, you wouldn't need me".

- lifted from sci.electronics.repair

 

[sym]

Howdy,

We use many of the (currently popular) screw in fluorescent
bulbs.

We often get 'em at Home Depot, and they have a seven year
replacement warrantee.

None have lasted more than two years, and, to date, we have
received on the order of two dozen as warrantee
replacements. The manufacturer does not even ask that we
return the failed bulbs.

More than a few have failed in less than a month, and since
the first of those, I mark 'em with the date of installation
and the date of failure.

When I first noticed the very short MTBF, I called the
manufacturer's tech folks. The first thing they asked was
for a description of the fixtures that hold them. They are
(mostly) ceiling cans of the sort that are closed on the
top, and open on the bottom. When I provided that answer, I
was told that such an installation should not be affecting
the length of life of the bulb.

So, I have become curious...

How long do these things last for others out there?

Many thanks,

my bulbs are in enclosed ceiling fixtures for 4 years now and have
repleced none of them they all work as well as the first day they were
installed, i wonder if you might have a voltage problem that could be
shorting the life of your bulbs. just a thought.

 

[Kenneth]

my bulbs are in enclosed ceiling fixtures for 4 years now and have
repleced none of them they all work as well as the first day they were
installed, i wonder if you might have a voltage problem that could be
shorting the life of your bulbs. just a thought.

And a reasonable thought it is...

We live in a rural area, and indeed notice power
fluctuations. Nothing serious, but we do see it.

Also, we heat geothermally, and have a pump on our well that
is the size of a locomotive. When that thing kicks on we see
a brief (and slight) dimming of incandescent bulbs. I know
that the pump is a huge voltage draw.

It might be possible that those fluctuations in voltage are
enough to make the fluorescents unhappy.

Thanks for your comments,