CFLs or LEDs?

[irishScott]

I've been disappointed in the CFL bulbs. They're INCREDIBLY fragile, burn out faster than I expected, and I simply don't like the light output of them.

LED's are really interesting engineering specimens if you ever take a look at them. Also, incredibly expensive...I've seen prices like $25 for a bulb, but at least they should last forever.

The more pricey ones yeah, but I've found the cheap store-exclusive LEDs perform flawlessly and are much less expensive.

At the local Lowes its:

40 W equivalent = $9
60 W equivalent = $11
100 W equivalent = $35

So your standard bulbs aren't bad at all considering how long they're supposed to last.

 

[edro]

I'll also throw in, as a fan of bright LEDs since "bright" meant "1000mcd....ooooOOOOOooohh!" , this is fun to play with. The way I'm driving it, it should be putting out around 3400 lumens, from a circle that's about 0.27in².
Pushed to maximum, it could exceed 5000 lumens. It would also be consuming close to 70 watts. Not all LEDs are "cool" or "low power."
The cool white emitters in that family would max out at 7000 lumens, for cool white that's more along the lines of a cheap fluorescent shop light.

Be very careful with those. You need to have a good thermal interface and a way to dissipate all that heat. They can burn out pretty easily. Also make sure you use a decent LED driver. They are sensitive to over voltage and over current, even of short duration.

Also, most COB type LEDs have connectors available for easy mounting and wire connection.
http://www.te.com/catalog/minf/en/893

Also, with that much light, the standard distribution is pretty bad. You will want some type of optics to go with it to help collimate the light and point it where you want it.

You probably knew all that though...

 

[Jeff7]

Be very careful with those. You need to have a good thermal interface and a way to dissipate all that heat. They can burn out pretty easily. Also make sure you use a decent LED driver. They are sensitive to over voltage and over current, even of short duration.

Also, most COB type LEDs have connectors available for easy mounting and wire connection.
http://www.te.com/catalog/minf/en/893

Also, with that much light, the standard distribution is pretty bad. You will want some type of optics to go with it to help collimate the light and point it where you want it.

You probably knew all that though...

A typical consumer wouldn't buy those things in the first place.

"Wait, you mean I also need to design my own cooling and mounting solution, and get a separate power supply? Sign me up!"

 

[jpiniero]

Was going to make a new thread, but found this one. Bought some CFLs, but they are totally inadequate. They are going back. Bought some incadessants for now, but will try LEDs later.

 

[disappoint]

You can't dim LED or fluorescent bulbs.

I bet GM knows about PWM.

 

[Imp]

Was going to make a new thread, but found this one. Bought some CFLs, but they are totally inadequate. They are going back. Bought some incadessants for now, but will try LEDs later.

Having used both incandescent bulbs, CFLs, and LEDs, ya, CFLs are complete shit compared to either of the two. I don't mind the price premium of the LEDs because they're "techy" and I'm a nerd who blows way more on crappy electronics on a regular basis.

 

[Thebobo]

Was going to make a new thread, but found this one. Bought some CFLs, but they are totally inadequate. They are going back. Bought some incadessants for now, but will try LEDs later.

Just curious why? You know there are different color temperature CFLs? You can match the warmth of incandescents by purchasing 2700k bulbs. But if you go in and buiy CFLs without looking you might get daylight - 6500K and you probably won't be happy.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_color

 

[jpiniero]

It is 2700K "60W equiv".. it was clearly not bright enough for me.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I've done the same mistake too, if you don't pay attention to color temp you end up with very inconsistent bulbs. I personally like "daylight" the best. It's a brighter more natural light. I installed some T8 fixtures in my server room and put in 6500k bulbs and could not be happier. 2 fixtures per side (hot/cold aisle) for a total of 8 bulbs. Nice and bright.