On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:27:49 -0500, "Tim Williams"
>
>
>
> wrote:
> >I've got a problem. I happen to carry the distinction of being the one
> >responsible for changing lights. Much as that's a problem in itself, the
> >biggest problem is.....the front porch light (surprisingly, it's not a
> >stairway light, eh?), which happens to be a hanging, upside-down, enclosed
> >fixture. And they put two screws in the thing, so it's almost impossible
> >for a single person to replace the bulb thus inserted. Really quite
> >remarkable how no one thought of this.
>
> >Besides modifying it, which I may consider because it's just that bad, in
> >the mean time I need something that'll last. We've already tried the "ten
> >gajillion hour" CFLs, which died in all of, you know it, three months. I'm
> >guessing something high voltage (130V+?) and incandescent. Any
> >recommendations?
>
> >Tim
>
> A 230 volt incandescent, or a 120 volt one with a diode in series.
>
> I find that, in general, CFs last a long time if run continuously, but
> die when cycled. So a 5 or 7-watt CF might be left on 24/7 and last
> longer and use less net power than an incendescent run at lower
> voltage.
Heat kills CFL's, they are not rated for use in enclosed housings. No air flow in enclosed space = hot = short life. The XXXXX hours rating on the box are usually free-air ratings.
I've started switching to Envirolux T5 circular fluro's with a separate electronic ballast, they run much cooler.
Dave.