Compact Fluorescent Lamp Problems.

[NickD 202]

Why am I so trusting, save hundreds of dollars, protect the environment, reliable, will operate for seven years. Like an idiot didn't save the receipt nor the packaging. Purchased ten of these things last summer, last night, the fourth one blew up. Hardly used and in parallel strings where if a transient occurred, would think the entire string would blow up. Paying five bucks for a bulb and only getting an hour or two use out of it is not saving either energy or money, especially money.

Did open one up, was a bad one, uses a full wave capacitive input bridge to convert the 120 VAC input to about 150 volts DC that powers an inverter circuit to generator a high frequency waveform to power the tube. Uses two transistors in a push pull arrangement to fire a transformer that serves both as an oscillator and drive for this transformer. Those two transistor were blown to hell along with the fuse that protects it. Didn't brother pulling the components off the board to analyze the faults.

And what a board that is, circular, about 1.5" in diameter loaded with 30 components all mounted vertically, the worse possible way to mount components where they can short out. The inverter transformer used up most of the board, very fine wires that also could short out, would have to get a good one to measure the breakdown voltages. Made in China #######, all of it, no name brand components were found. No overvoltage or transient protection, save the fuse, but once that is blown, the bulb is history.

Could analize the entire circuit, but why should I? 40% of the bulbs burning out in less than a six month period is not a very good record. Talked to some friends, they are having the same experience. Am I also suppose to drive across town to get rid of these things, recall reading that on the package, and what will they do with them, just a POS none repairable with mercury on the inside that is totally unusable.

Can only guess that the other six will burn out too, but should last longer if you do not turn them on.

What our your experiences with these? If they are talking about obsoleting incandescence bulbs in the next two years, we will really go broke. I know garbage when I see it. Suggest if you buy some, save the packaging and the receipt.

[almaty 19]

you got your just deserves, hippie....

j/k

[MandR 0]

I've used them all over my house for over 2 years now and have only had to replace one.

The one I replaced was on a dimmer switch and on the package it stated "not to be used with dimmers". So my fault on that one buring out.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

been using them for about 4 years, just recently had one burn out - and i think it was faulty to begin with.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I like to throw them as far up in the air as I can and listen to them POP,when they hit the ground.

[Nagishkaw 510]

They are toxic.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

They are toxic.

I know! thats why I destroy them.

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

I like to throw them as far up in the air as I can and listen to them POP,when they hit the ground.

They are toxic.

that could explain a few things........

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I have had 100% CFLs for 5+ years. Very few problems. I just bought 2 LED 120v bulbs for continuous service lights. My mom still has working CFLs from the early 90s that still work.

[mox 298]

I replaced all of the bulbs in my house 3 years ago with CFL's and haven't had a single problem. The only thing that annoys me is the bathroom lights (4 of them, the bulb type that mount over a mirror) for some reason take about 20 seconds to spin up. They start really dim and spool up to full brightness. None of my other bulbs do that.

[SAT 9,609]

you got your just deserves, hippie....

j/k

lmao

[SAT 9,609]

Why am I so trusting, save hundreds of dollars, protect the environment, reliable, will operate for seven years. Like an idiot didn't save the receipt nor the packaging. Purchased ten of these things last summer, last night, the fourth one blew up. Hardly used and in parallel strings where if a transient occurred, would think the entire string would blow up. Paying five bucks for a bulb and only getting an hour or two use out of it is not saving either energy or money, especially money.

Did open one up, was a bad one, uses a full wave capacitive input bridge to convert the 120 VAC input to about 150 volts DC that powers an inverter circuit to generator a high frequency waveform to power the tube. Uses two transistors in a push pull arrangement to fire a transformer that serves both as an oscillator and drive for this transformer. Those two transistor were blown to hell along with the fuse that protects it. Didn't brother pulling the components off the board to analyze the faults.

And what a board that is, circular, about 1.5" in diameter loaded with 30 components all mounted vertically, the worse possible way to mount components where they can short out. The inverter transformer used up most of the board, very fine wires that also could short out, would have to get a good one to measure the breakdown voltages. Made in China #######, all of it, no name brand components were found. No overvoltage or transient protection, save the fuse, but once that is blown, the bulb is history.

Could analize the entire circuit, but why should I? 40% of the bulbs burning out in less than a six month period is not a very good record. Talked to some friends, they are having the same experience. Am I also suppose to drive across town to get rid of these things, recall reading that on the package, and what will they do with them, just a POS none repairable with mercury on the inside that is totally unusable.

Can only guess that the other six will burn out too, but should last longer if you do not turn them on.

What our your experiences with these? If they are talking about obsoleting incandescence bulbs in the next two years, we will really go broke. I know garbage when I see it. Suggest if you buy some, save the packaging and the receipt.

DUde this is what u do........

1. Go buy more of the identical product at a home depot. save the receipt.

2. Come home, replace the lights.

3. Take the old lights, and smash them into 1 gazillion bits.

4. Stuff the 1 gazillion bits into the box that the new bulbs came in

5. Go back to home depot, and demand your $$ back for the damaged goods

6. Enjoy your new light bulbs, you hippie......

J/K too.........

[NickD 202]

I replaced all of the bulbs in my house 3 years ago with CFL's and haven't had a single problem. The only thing that annoys me is the bathroom lights (4 of them, the bulb type that mount over a mirror) for some reason take about 20 seconds to spin up. They start really dim and spool up to full brightness. None of my other bulbs do that.

Should mention, I purchased all Sylvania CFL's, maybe that's the wrong brand to buy. Do have many 40 watt fluorescent tubes in my lab, some all are over 25 years old, made in the USA with the old fashion heavy ballast transformer and the starters, those have been 100% reliable. Did purchase a Made in China with an electronic ballast recently, piece of #######.

Those Sylvanias' sure have a dim problem, worthless for trying to find something in a hurry, have to bring a flashlight.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I replaced all of the bulbs in my house 3 years ago with CFL's and haven't had a single problem. The only thing that annoys me is the bathroom lights (4 of them, the bulb type that mount over a mirror) for some reason take about 20 seconds to spin up. They start really dim and spool up to full brightness. None of my other bulbs do that.

Should mention, I purchased all Sylvania CFL's, maybe that's the wrong brand to buy. Do have many 40 watt fluorescent tubes in my lab, some all are over 25 years old, made in the USA with the old fashion heavy ballast transformer and the starters, those have been 100% reliable. Did purchase a Made in China with an electronic ballast recently, piece of #######.

Those Sylvanias' sure have a dim problem, worthless for trying to find something in a hurry, have to bring a flashlight.

[mox 298]

I replaced all of the bulbs in my house 3 years ago with CFL's and haven't had a single problem. The only thing that annoys me is the bathroom lights (4 of them, the bulb type that mount over a mirror) for some reason take about 20 seconds to spin up. They start really dim and spool up to full brightness. None of my other bulbs do that.

Should mention, I purchased all Sylvania CFL's, maybe that's the wrong brand to buy. Do have many 40 watt fluorescent tubes in my lab, some all are over 25 years old, made in the USA with the old fashion heavy ballast transformer and the starters, those have been 100% reliable. Did purchase a Made in China with an electronic ballast recently, piece of #######.

Those Sylvanias' sure have a dim problem, worthless for trying to find something in a hurry, have to bring a flashlight.

Don't remember what brand mine are. Bought them at Home Depot, they came in a green plastic package.

The irony is that most of us won't see them through their full 7 years. LED lights are starting to catch on fast, and are much more environmentally safe. I expect they'll be mainstream within a couple years.