Alternative to G16.5 incandescents

[Peepsalot]

Hey folks, I just got a new house, and have been replacing most of the incandescent bulbs with CFLs for the sake of efficiency. For the usual 60w bulbs, there is no problem. But in some spots, I have fixtures that take G16.5 globe lights(40W). I was wondering if there are some CFLs or maybe other efficient lighting that can replace these. I found some G16.5 CFLs but they are only 3W, which they claim is 20W equivalent. Assuming the advertising is true, it's still only half the light.

I did notice that there are some 40W equivalent in the G25 size, but I'm not familiar with these globe sizes, so I don't know if those will fit.

One other question: are there any decent flourescent flood(reflector) lights out there? All the ones I have seen come on incredibly dim, take forever to warm up, and have an ugly hue. I think I prefer ~5000k color temp. if available.

 

[AndyTiedye]

are there any decent flourescent flood(reflector) lights out there?

You're probably better going with LEDs for that.

 

[Peepsalot]

Why do you think LEDs are better for that situation? I didn't really consider LEDs because I think they are too expensive for the amount of light they output. Have you used LED flood lights before? I haven't tried, but from what I understand they are better for more focused spot lighting than for a flood light. Any particular model you are referring to?

 

[AndyTiedye]

The Mule would be an example of an LED Flood.

Don is already exploring the fixed lighting applications of this design.
link

 

[bltkmt]

Revisiting this old topic now that LED bulbs are more prevalent. Has anyone found decent LED bulbs in this G16.5 size that are equivalent to 40w or 60w incandescents? I only see dimmer ones this size.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Revisiting this old topic now that LED bulbs are more prevalent. Has anyone found decent LED bulbs in this G16.5 size that are equivalent to 40w or 60w incandescents? I only see dimmer ones this size.

From what I am seeing it is not a popular bulb type/size and CFLs tend to be limited to about 9W input or ~350 lumens. From what I have seen regarding LED vs CFL vs Incan bulbs you typically will not see LED or CFL bulbs with more lumens in a bulb size/type than Incan bulbs which means almost always you will see LESS output in lumens from CFL and LED replacements. You can get 150 and 200 even 300 watt incan standard bulbs but the lumens of the best CFL is on par with perhaps a 150 watt incan if even that. LED bulbs are lagging behind CFLs in output per size/type sometimes a lot with the best LED bulbs struggling to output what a 100 watt incan can do normally and nowhere near competing in lumen output with the brightest CFLs.
I have a feeling that the small G16.5 size bulbs will probably not be addressed in output until the larger size bulbs are addressed and by that time we may see LED design based light fixtures for bathrooms and homes that instead of playing screw in bulb swaps you will find replacing the whole fixture the same price or cheaper with better output and light coverage. I hope however to see some sort of standardized LED module for fixtures that can accomodate newer LED chip designs so LED based fixtures can be upgraded instead of having to replace them even 10 years or so when the LEDs in the may go out but no longer are being manufactured as to get a replacement module of the same tint and output. Having LEDs that vary in output in tint in fixtures can make for distracting lighting.

 

[MichaelW]

Feit has gone nuts lately, putting out loads of various wattage 'accessory' type bulbs.
They have a 500 lumen G16.5 on candelabra base with 500 lumens for 7.5 watts consumption.