Incan bulb efficiency difference?

[jzmtl]

I guess this is not specifically for flashlights but for incan bulbs in general. I was at the store earlier buying 100w incan bulbs, the Philips bulb is rated for 1500 lumen, but the no name brand is rated for only 1100 lumens. They are both the same wattage, why the difference in lumens?

 

[asdalton]

It's probably one of those "extra long life" bulbs. You get an increased filament life, but you pay for it in lower light output for the same power.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Some of the differences with various brands has to do with the quality of the filament. You are not going to find out a trade secret spec in detail, but if you break a couple bulbs and look at them you can see the differences.

 

[jzmtl]

Thanks! Never knew there could be such a large difference between incan bulbs. :o

 

[lctorana]

Filament construction and design life have been mentioned - there are two other factors in play.

3) efficiency is affected somewhat by the type and pressure of the gas fill - be it argon, krypton, xenon or halogen, or combinations thereof.

4) all other things being equal, the higher the wattage, the more efficient bulbs get.