[RFI] CFLs and LEDs

[John Brosnahan -- W0UN]

At 09-01-09 11:32, PaulKB8N at aol.com wrote:
>Alan,
>
>LEDs clearly are the way to go, longer life than CFLs, less heat, no
>start-up latency.
>
>I cannot vouch for the quality, but there are quite a number of LED light
>bulbs available for sale on eBay.  You get a better deal if you buy in
>quantity, I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has bought from  eBay.
>
>Paul, K5AF


Just be careful of switch-mode supplies inside 120 VAC LEDs!

I am a firm believer in the advantages of LED lights and have made 
some of my own lamps for the shack using LED flashlights modified to 
run from wall transformers rather than from batteries.

I just recently saw some interesting replacement LED bulbs from Sam's 
Club that fit a standard 120 VAC 60 Hz lamp socket.  They claimed 40W 
equivalent, but in side-by-side comparisons with a 40 W incandescent 
and a 40W CFL the LED was no match.  It is called an accent light but 
would work in a ham shack for an operating lamp if you are like me 
and prefer subdued lighting and the glow from the radios and amps!

Less than $15 for three of them.  So I was going to buy them as an 
experiment.  But then I noticed the RFI warning on the package  -- 
essentially saying "if the RFI is a problem, move the affected 
device" and decided not to waste the money.

A "track light" made from a number of the 3W white LED flashlights 
running from a wall wart would be more than enough for an operating 
light, but would probably not work well as a trouble light for 
repairing a radio.

--John  W0UN