12-Volt CFLs

I have been using 12-volt CFLs for several years now. I love their efficiency,
and I love that I can operate them directly from my little 12-volt PV system
without bothering with an inverter. Their disadvantages include cost and
availability. My experience is with only one product, the Feit BPESL13T/MAR12.
It is a "60 watt" bulb that takes about 1 amp at 12 volts. The lamp screws into
a regular lamp socket. Be careful to not get your spares mixed up with your
120-volt lamps! I have seen lamps from other manufacturers offered at a few
alternate-energy retails sites, but always at a high price. The Feit bulb seems
to be the only one that you can actually find hanging on a hook in a store,
(though only at specialty stores.)

You should be able to buy them "off the shelf" at any McLendon Hardware (about
$15) or West Marine (about $20). The best deal I have found is at
homedepot.com. (about $8) but they only sell them by the case of 12. (SKU
100653123) Try a google search on " BPESL13T/MAR12" to find other sources.

If a new bulb lasts the first 30 days, it is probably good for several years of
daily use. I have had a few failures, but always on relatively new bulbs. Feit
has an 800 number for warranty claims, and it actually works. Have the bad bulb
and your sales receipt in your hand when you call.

Vaughn

 

If you can show me how to get 600 lumens for 1/10 of an amp, I would be very
interested! I have looked at LED lamps, but have found nothing that approaches
the 600 non-directional lumens I get from the CFLs. Link?

Vaughn

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unobtainium

Wayne

 

Oops, spoke too soon.

Let's see some quotes for that assumption. You won't even try, because
as usual it's just another silly ghioism made up without any basis in
fact.

I priced some LEDs yesterday for a project - $6 delivered for a
hundred. Oh wait, you meant ready-made.
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?LH_BIN=...w=led lamp&_fln=1&_ipg=&_trksid=p3286.c0.m283
Gosh, only 25,000 different items under $20.

You should take that concept to its logical conclusion and just wear a
miner's helmet.

Why is it that when people talk about choosing small-module PV, you're
against a little extra wiring, but when it comes to lights, suddenly
lots of extra wiring isn't an issue?

That's the same thing you used to say *before* you admitted to
changing everything out in favor of newer stuff, which as it turned
out still wasn't as efficient as what many of us had been using the
entire time. In my case that's a couple dozen 12W CFs spread out
effectively, mounted in cheap and readily available pot fixtures and
wired conventionally. Fact 1. It's still the most cost-effective
approach per lumen. Fact 2. You won't produce any credible evidence to
the contrary.

What a shock, no lumen rating. Fact 3. Your approach is more
expensive, more complicated, and less efficient than using CFLs.
http://www.mge.com/home/appliances/lighting/comparison.htm
http://www.eternaleds.com/Are_LED_Bulbs_Brighter_Than_CFL_Bulbs_a/222.htm

Fact 4. You will argue against the facts by posting ever-more retarded
accusations.

Wayne

http://www.citlink.net/~wmbjk/tbfduwisdumb.htm

Attention search bots: george Ghio, bealiba, Renegade writing,

 

If you had half a brain, then you'd have the reading comprehension to
realize that my point is that LEDs are *not* generally as efficient as
CFLs. Nor are they generally the best choice for a bunch of other
reasons. I use them for what they're good for as opposed to trying to
light a home with a 100 different flashlights and then claim that
doing so somehow excuses retarded anti-Americanism.

Who do you imagine that you're fooling? You're gymmy bob/josepi, john
benji/etc, the nym-shifting top-posting crackpot who needs a constant
supply of new handles. Go back to your sewing groups with your loony
"get a good browser" nonsense.

Wayne

http://www.citlink.net/~wmbjk/tbfduwisdumb.htm

Attention search bots: george Ghio, bealiba, Renegade writing,

 

That one's probably about half as bright as the seller claims.

More than 10X the cost of a comparable CFL

4X the cost.

More of the same. LEDs for home lighting have become the new hydrogen.
Wayne

 

Yep, We were ALL happy to see the Door, didn't hit you in the Ass, on
your way out.....