Halogen Replacements for Standard (Edison base) bulb

[j]

I need a fully dimmable light for a kitchen fixture. I like the light
quality and the relative to incandescent energy savings of the Phillips
Eco Advantage bulbs. I'm not thinking well of the lifespan though. You
wouldn't want to work in a work lamp as it can't take a knock. And my
kitchen light, which is generally partially dimmed has burnt out after a
few months.

I'd like to try another halogen. Others seem to be rated at 1500
hours (like GE Reveal), but I've heard the GE can be noisy when dimmed.

Any experience or suggestions?

I've given up on the idea of dimmable CFLs, too many quirks with the
rated for dimmable bulbs. And not good life. I do need an even spherical
light (fixture is pendant IKEA), which cuts out the directional LED
types. Not that I know much about their dimming characteristics.

Jeff

 

[Bob F]

I need a fully dimmable light for a kitchen fixture. I like the
light quality and the relative to incandescent energy savings of the
Phillips Eco Advantage bulbs. I'm not thinking well of the lifespan
though. You wouldn't want to work in a work lamp as it can't take a
knock. And my kitchen light, which is generally partially dimmed has
burnt out after a few months.

I'd like to try another halogen. Others seem to be rated at 1500
hours (like GE Reveal), but I've heard the GE can be noisy when
dimmed.
Any experience or suggestions?

I've given up on the idea of dimmable CFLs, too many quirks with the
rated for dimmable bulbs. And not good life. I do need an even
spherical light (fixture is pendant IKEA), which cuts out the
directional LED types. Not that I know much about their dimming
characteristics.

Do halogens have problems with dimming? I thought the interior of the bulb gets
a black coating when dimmed.

 

[Vaughn]

I do need an even spherical
light (fixture is pendant IKEA), which cuts out the directional LED
types. Not that I know much about their dimming characteristics.

You didn't say what size lamp you are looking for. Home Depot sells a
$10.00 dimable LED bulb that might fit your needs. Very even light.
"40-watt" size takes 8.6 watts.

http://tinyurl.com/6pkf2gu
I use one of these in a reading lamp with good results. I now have 2
LED lamps in my house, and am happy with both.

Vaughn

 

[j]

Since the interior surface of the envelope has to be maintained above
250 deg C to allow the halogen recycling of the tungsten vapour back
towards the filament to function and thus stop it being deposited on
the envelope, I would say there's a strong element of truth to that
supposition.

However, under dimmed conditions, the evaporation rate of tungsten
from the filament will be greatly suppressed but the presence of the
halogen may produce undesirable effects under these reduced
temperature conditions.

It's been a few years since I last looked at the relevant section of
my "Lamps and Lighting" reference book.

This wiki article:<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halogen_lamps>
provides more information (but no mention of the 250 deg C figure so
is a little bit hazy on some of the detail.

Thanks.

It appears that I shouldn't dim this too low, and that either iodine
or bromine fields better low temperature results.

With a reduced voltage the evaporation is lower and there may be too
much halogen, which can lead to abnormal failure. At much lower
voltages, the bulb temperature may be too low to support the halogen
cycle, but by this time the evaporation rate is too low for the bulb to
blacken significantly. There are many situations where halogen lamps are
dimmed successfully. However, lamp life may not be extended as much as
predicted. The life span on dimming depends on lamp construction, the
halogen additive used and whether dimming is normally expected for this
type.

And:

http://www.querycat.com/question/cde023ac540f3ece005ddf3d76291fb8

Halogen bulbs used on a dimmer will last longer if they are set to full
"ON" for two minutes before being turned off — this helps the particles
from the filament complete their cycle.

Jeff