Ecosmart CFLS

[Grendl]

I've had three in a row fail after 2-4 days in an outdoor fixture with a photovoltaic sensor. For years I've been running whatever bulb was handy and it's worked out fine, but I've never had a CFL last more than a year. These Ecosmart 23W EDXO-23 bulbs are the worst.

Could the flickering that occurs around dusk and sunrise due to the photovoltaic sensor's waffling be burning out these ballasts that quickly?

I'm at a loss gang.

 

[LotusDarkrose]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

Dug this up for you on the CFL wiki page:

Use with timers, motion sensors, and other electronic controlsSome electronic (but not mechanical) timers can interfere with the electronic ballast in CFLs and can shorten their lifespan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp#cite_note-autogenerated1-75Some timers rely on a connection to neutral through the bulb and so pass a tiny current through the bulb, charging the capacitors in the electronic ballast. They may not work with a CFL connected, unless an incandescent bulb is also connected. They may also cause the CFL to flash when off. This can also be true for illuminated wall switches and motion sensors. Cold cathode CFLs avoid many of these problems. Check with the timer manufacturer if their products are approved for use with CFL bulbs, for some control the main load ON/OFF function using a solid-state relay without any leakage current and do not interfere with the proper operation or lifespan of the ballast.
Outdoor useCFLs are generally not designed for outdoor use and some will not start in cold weather. CFLs are available with cold-weather ballasts, which may be rated to as low as −23 °C (−10 °F). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp#cite_note-79Light output drops at low temperatures. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp#cite_note-80Cold cathode CFLs will start and perform in a wide range of temperatures due to their different design.
---Figured this info might help you.

 

[fyrstormer]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

Everyone in my neighborhood has been running CFLs in their driveway lights with photo-sensors for years, ever since I passed a flyer around showing the dollar value of the electricity saved. Never had a problem.

 

[purduephotog]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

I'm pretty sure this is operator error.

Flickering means that your cheap photovoltaic sensor is wired to pass current through the bulb to run itself- it doesn't have a relay.

Read the packaging on the bulb and see if it supports dimming, what sort of dimming, and whether or not it requires a special motion detector.

Tungsten bulbs can pass a small current through the filament and not light up.

 

[LotusDarkrose]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

I guessed it was probably wrong equipment used, whatever component it may be. Just figured that the info I gave would give him some insight as to why he might be using the wrong tools for the job.

 

[Lynx_Arc]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

I would say an easy way to test if photo cell on/off based lights could damage electronic based lights (CFL, LED) would be to go out there at night (put an incan bulb in to test) and shine a light on them then it will shut off, slowly move the light away from the sensor and if it slowly glows brighter and brighter instead of suddenly coming on you could have a problem.

 

[deadrx7conv]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

I got tired of switching my outdoor lights on and off. Didn't care for motion sensors. Bought some dusk/dawn sockets for the bulbs. Now I can leave the lights on 24/7 and they come on every night, and shut off every morning.
Why would I mention this? Because they have a couple minute delay built into them which makes them compatible with LED's, CFL's..... I don't get the flickering that burns out the bulbs.

 

[blasterman]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

Because they have a couple minute delay built into them which makes them compatible with LED's, CFL's..... I don't get the flickering that burns out the bulbs.

This.

I have the same on my front porch. Been running the same pair of +30watt obnoxious daylight-blue generic CFLs in there for over two years, and no problems. They pop on when it gets dark, and are off by morning - no problems. Brightest porch in the neighborhood by far, and I probably use less power. When they eventually burn out I'll hoc something together with Bridgelux 1202's.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

Most LED bulbs can suffer the same thing if used on a photoelectric or dimmer circuit; that's why you'll see a somewhat humourous warning (but still a WARNING) similar to the one below with all CFL and LED bulbs on my website:


You must ***NOT*** use this bulb in a fixture controlled by a photoelectric ("day/night") sensor or one that uses or is connected to a dimmer switch. This bulb will rapidly (and possibly quite spectacularly) fail if this is done...you don't want baby zebra tarantulas, stag beetle grubs (larvae), or Atlas moth caterpillars (larvae)...I mean YOU DON'T WANT AN UNWANTED FIRE!!!

 

[DanManTX]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

To get around this problem, I installed one of these Aube 7 day solar programmable switches for my front porch light (older model Aube 4257W)

You program in your latitude / longitude coordinates and it automatically adjusts the sunrise and sunset times for your city throughout the year. The only change I have to do is turn on/off daylight savings time.

My CFL's have been running this way for 2 years now without any problems.


Current Model: Aube TI071 7-Day Solar Programmable Wall Switch
http://www.smarthome.com/4242/Aube-TI071-7-Day-Solar-Programmable-Wall-Switch/p.aspx

 

[DM51]

Re: Ecosmart CFLS FAIL!

Thread title amended.