1p Energy Saving Bulbs

geoffholman

Can somebody tell me why you can't use these with a timeswitch and in an enclosed fitting? After all a timeswitch only does the same thing as you switching it on manually. As these generate less heat than the 'old' type, what's wrong with putting them in an enclosed fitting?

Steve_xx

geoffholman wrote: »

Can somebody tell me why you can't use these with a timeswitch and in an enclosed fitting? After all a timeswitch only does the same thing as you switching it on manually. As these generate less heat than the 'old' type, what's wrong with putting them in an enclosed fitting?

You can use energy saving bulbs with mechanical type time switches. You can't really use them with electronic type time switches due to the fact that the bulb requires a surge of power to get it going and this surge can cause damage to some solid state timeswitches.

quoia

Alan_Rudman wrote: »

Beware - these do not work for dimmer switches, timer switches, enclosed lights etc.
Read the box before purchase.

Funny that I've got them controlled by digital electronic timers, mechanical timers, PIR sensors and have several of them in ENCLOSED light fittings.

In fact for enclosed lights they are PERFECT because they don't get anywhere as near as hot as an incandescent lamp, which is the only usual restriction due to limited or zero ventilation !!! I've put a ES 20W (=100w) in a fitting that should only take a maxiumum of 60W incandescent. The 60W got so hot it burnt out every month or so. The energy saver has been in over 2 years !

italiastar

Steve_xx wrote: »

You can use energy saving bulbs with mechanical type time switches. You can't really use them with electronic type time switches due to the fact that the buld requires a surge of power to get it going and this surge can cause dmage to some solid state timeswitches.

I've been using them with both types without problem - I must add that my timers are old - I'd guess that the newer ones may have pooer contacts and therefore may not work. They won't work with dimmers because of the way low energy bulbs work.

FlippeR_DJ

Manged to get 9 from one Tesco and 8 from another, so the limit doesn't seem to be passed on to cashiers.

Custopmer after me in 1st Tesco had 12

Steve_xx

italiastar wrote: »

I've been using them with both types without problem - I must add that my timers are old - I'd guess that the newer ones may have pooer contacts and therefore may not work. They won't work with dimmers because of the way low energy bulbs work.

I've used energy saver bulbs with an electronic type timeswitch, and it's been ok. But I have seen electronic timeswitches that say on the packaging that they are unsuitable for use with energy saver bulbs and the reason is due to the surge required to kickstart the bulb that can cause damage to the solid state circuitry. This is not the case with the mechanical timeswitches.

quoia

julian345 wrote: »

..........
we have some small "golf Ball " size bulbs which are NOT made in energy saving type ........

There is a small spiral 6w or 8w that isn't that much bigger - have you tried one of those ?

Otherwise you are looking at a white LED equivalent

valk_scot

FlippeR_DJ wrote: »

Manged to get 9 from one Tesco and 8 from another, so the limit doesn't seem to be passed on to cashiers.

Custopmer after me in 1st Tesco had 12

When the friendly manager-type in my store was scanning all the bulbs for me to check the prices I asked her if there was a limit to how many I could have, given that I wanted twenty or so. She was quite happy for me to take as many as I wanted...I did end up with 25, but there were plenty left, as in a couple of hundred. I think she just wanted them out her shop as fast as possible.

Jamsyke

julian345 wrote: »

this replacement may be ok for the magority of light bulbs
hek we are doing our best and have the energy saving ones BUT we have some small "golf Ball " size bulbs which are NOT made in energy saving type. Do we have to change our light fittings as well??!!:mad:

That would never happen, no need to worry.
It will be years before other shapes of bulbs are phased out and by then there will be a viable low energy alternative.

Look up Megaman, they do a "ping pong" lamp designed to replace a golfball. The 7w (equiv 40w) is the same diameter as a golfball (45mm) and probably a touch longer at 73mm.
They also do an 11w if you need a higher output but it is physically bigger.

LittleBill

mrsv05 wrote: »

cant speak for everyone but i have used an energy bulb in my standard lamp for a couple of years now on a timer. never played up or exploded. my parents have done the same for holidays etc and never had issue with them either.

You shouldn't use them with dimmer switches ... we needed to get two switches replaced after we had used them when we first moved into our house ...

Nothing 'explodes' ... the dimmers just stop working!