On 12/23/2011 1:29 PM, Andy wrote:
> Howdy, all,
>
> Does anyone know of a good email list or forum concerning the subject
> of CFLs (compact fluorescents)?
>
> I know, why would someone want to use them, right? Actually, though,
> I am one of those whose experiences with them have been moderately
> good overall. But I figure, they are going to be with us for a while
> to come, so I am looking for a place to discuss them, why they
> sometimes don't work, why they fail, without being Off-Topic in a
> group like this one.
They or rather some have been strong generators of RFI so they certainly
are not off topic.
Like all fluorescents, the ON/off cycles are important. The old , turn
'em off when you leave the room that applied to incandescent bulbs does
not apply to CFLs as it will result in premature failure. Turn 'em off
if you plan on being out of the room for a half hour of more...orther
wise leave them on. They are also sensitive to vibration.
We use almost all CFLs and have never had a problem with them The early
ones were expensive and not that great for lifetime. Now they are
relatively inexpensive and appear to have the correct color temp even in
the end table lamps. The 200 watt units in the unheated garage do take a
minute or two to come up to temp and full brightness. Out of about 20
we have only had to replace 3 in the last two years. I understand new
ones also have even less mercury in than than the early ones.
Figuring an average of 5 hours a day (We live 43'37" N, Michigan) which
makes the payback over an incandescent about 2.5 to 3 years with
electric rates of about 12 cents per KWH.
The electronics in the base have been known to create hash/RFI although
I've not detected any here.
Just do a search on "CFL reflectors and news groups". Lots of
information comes up
73
Roger (K8RI)
>
> Does anyone know of a site/list? Preferably not something sponsored
> by a manufacturer, but will take that if that's all there is.
>
> (And please, let's not take this as an invitation to discuss the pros
> and cons of CFLs here!)
>
> Regards,
> Andy
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> RFI@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi
>
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