I bought some compact fluorescent flood bulbs to replace the recessed
bulbs in my kitchen as they burn out. So far I've got 2 installed.

Both of them have this problem. About half the time they work fine.
They have the normal delay that compact fluorescent's have, but that's
fine. The other half of the time, only the very upper part of the
bulb lights. Then the light slowly "creeps" down the spiral. Takes
about 5 minutes!

Anyone else experienced this?

On Feb 26, 4:09 pm, Mitch Mitch@... wrote:
I bought some compact fluorescent flood bulbs to replace the recessed
bulbs in my kitchen as they burn out. So far I've got 2 installed.

Both of them have this problem. About half the time they work fine.
They have the normal delay that compact fluorescent's have, but that's
fine. The other half of the time, only the very upper part of the
bulb lights. Then the light slowly "creeps" down the spiral. Takes
about 5 minutes!

Anyone else experienced this?

Yup. I replaced three 75W floods with 65W equivalent CFLs. I
installed them and immediately thought that I was going to bring 'em
back (they were $5 each). They are very dim when starting up, but
after a couple of minutes are brighter than the originals. I haven't
noticed if the light "creeps" or not, but I suspect it does.

For me, the energy savings outweighs the delay.

On Feb 26, 2:09 pm, Mitch Mitch@... wrote:
I bought some compact fluorescent flood bulbs to replace the recessed
bulbs in my kitchen as they burn out. So far I've got 2 installed.

Both of them have this problem. About half the time they work fine.
They have the normal delay that compact fluorescent's have, but that's
fine. The other half of the time, only the very upper part of the
bulb lights. Then the light slowly "creeps" down the spiral. Takes
about 5 minutes!

Anyone else experienced this?

Are your Recessed lights on a dimmer? If so, Are your Flood compact
Flourescent bulbs rated to be used on a dimmer?

i bought a THREE WAY fluorescent bulb.................two of the three
levels are gone.
i bet i used the lamp once, for about five minutes.





"Mitch" Mitch@... wrote in message
...
I bought some compact fluorescent flood bulbs to replace the recessed
bulbs in my kitchen as they burn out. So far I've got 2 installed.

Both of them have this problem. About half the time they work fine.
They have the normal delay that compact fluorescent's have, but that's
fine. The other half of the time, only the very upper part of the
bulb lights. Then the light slowly "creeps" down the spiral. Takes
about 5 minutes!

Anyone else experienced this?

Are your Recessed lights on a dimmer?

Nope...not this set.

I was planning to eventually replace all the kitchen bulbs with these,
but there's no way I could have 7 of these things taking several
minutes to light up!

On Feb 26, 2:54 pm, Mitch Mitch@... wrote:
Are your Recessed lights on a dimmer?

Nope...not this set.

I was planning to eventually replace all the kitchen bulbs with these,
but there's no way I could have 7 of these things taking several
minutes to light up!

no

In article , Mitch wrote:
I bought some compact fluorescent flood bulbs to replace the recessed
bulbs in my kitchen as they burn out. So far I've got 2 installed.

Both of them have this problem. About half the time they work fine.
They have the normal delay that compact fluorescent's have, but that's
fine. The other half of the time, only the very upper part of the
bulb lights. Then the light slowly "creeps" down the spiral. Takes
about 5 minutes!

Anyone else experienced this?

I have had similar effects, from the bulb being cold. This varies with
the temperature of the bulb.

However, in my experience spirals usually warm up in half a minute to a
minute.

Now, another issue for compact fluorescents in recessed ceiling
fixtures: They may overheat and short life may result. It is recommended
to use ones that are specifically rated to take the heat of recessed
ceiling fixtures. The Philips SLS ones of 15, 20 and 23 watts (though not
the dimmable one) are rated for such use.
Otherwise, keep your fingers crossed - they may or may not burn out
early.

- Don Klipstein )

By the way...the brand is Lights of America (I had a coupon).
I wonder of GE would be any different?

I have CF's in two floor lamps and two closets, and I've never seen
the problem.

"Mitch" Mitch@... wrote in message
...
I bought some compact fluorescent flood bulbs to replace the recessed
bulbs in my kitchen as they burn out. So far I've got 2 installed.

Both of them have this problem. About half the time they work fine.
They have the normal delay that compact fluorescent's have, but that's
fine. The other half of the time, only the very upper part of the
bulb lights. Then the light slowly "creeps" down the spiral. Takes
about 5 minutes!

Anyone else experienced this?

I installed them in three locations and had to take them all out. My wife
cannot tolerate the warm-up delay.

Mitch wrote:
By the way...the brand is Lights of America (I had a coupon).
I wonder of GE would be any different?

I have CF's in two floor lamps and two closets, and I've never seen
the problem.
They all come from the same factory in China most likely.

And many such bulbs do NOT like being upside down...

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:45:09 -0600, "readandpostrosie"
wrote:

i bought a THREE WAY fluorescent bulb.................two of the three
levels are gone.
i bet i used the lamp once, for about five minutes.

Well, there are really only two levels plus the sum of the two. So
when one goes, that's always two.

But 5 minutes stinks.

bulb lights. Then the light slowly "creeps" down the spiral. Takes
about 5 minutes!

Anyone else experienced this?

Not me.

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:51:09 -0500, mm
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:45:09 -0600, "readandpostrosie"
wrote:

i bought a THREE WAY fluorescent bulb.................two of the three
levels are gone.
i bet i used the lamp once, for about five minutes.

Well, there are really only two levels plus the sum of the two. So
when one goes, that's always two.


That is true for 3-way incandescent. Are you sure it is for CFLs too?

But 5 minutes stinks.

bulb lights. Then the light slowly "creeps" down the spiral. Takes
about 5 minutes!

Anyone else experienced this?

Not me.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Unlike biological evolution. 'intelligent design' is
not a genuine scientific theory and, therefore, has
no place in the curriculum of our nation's public
school classes." -- Ted Kennedy

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:50:47 -0500, curmudgeon
wrote:

Mitch wrote:
By the way...the brand is Lights of America (I had a coupon).
I wonder of GE would be any different?

I have CF's in two floor lamps and two closets, and I've never seen
the problem.
They all come from the same factory in China most likely.

And many such bulbs do NOT like being upside down...

I thought everyone in China was upside down.



Or is that Australia?

Charles Schuler wrote:

I installed them in three locations and had to take them all out. My wife
cannot tolerate the warm-up delay.

Just a note that different brands behave differently in this regard. I
have some that turn on instantly, and others that take a minute or so to
warm up.

Chris

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:33:11 -0500, mm
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:50:47 -0500, curmudgeon
wrote:

Mitch wrote:
By the way...the brand is Lights of America (I had a coupon).
I wonder of GE would be any different?

I have CF's in two floor lamps and two closets, and I've never seen
the problem.
They all come from the same factory in China most likely.

And many such bulbs do NOT like being upside down...

I thought everyone in China was upside down.


The problem is in not knowing what "down" means.



Or is that Australia?
--
Mark Lloyd
has a Replay 5xxx
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Never underestimate the power of stupid
people in large groups"

The problem is in not knowing what "down" means.

Upside down = base up.

Anyhoo, CFLs vary widely by brand and even by model for warm-up time.
I have some LOAs and Feit Electrics that come on full intensity, and
some of the same brand (earlier production?) that take a bit to
brighten up. I have some vanity-globe style Sylvanias in the bathroom
that are nightlight-bright for about 10 seconds and take another 30
seconds to come up full brightness -- very annoying, especially since
the globe-style are so much more expensive than a plain spiral. I also
have a GE that has a totally dark delay, then comes on, which annoys
me more than the Sylvanias.

My advice is, try different brands until you find one that you like.
Kind of expensive way to go about it, though. I wish these things were
rated on the package with the time it takes to go, from off at 72*F,
to 80% of full rated brightness.

wrote:

I have some vanity-globe style Sylvanias in the bathroom
that are nightlight-bright for about 10 seconds and take another 30
seconds to come up full brightness -- very annoying, especially since
the globe-style are so much more expensive than a plain spiral.

Where do you even find those? I'm quite happy with the CFLs in my
bathroom, other than the fact that they look quite ghetto sticking all
spirally out of the wall.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

wrote:
The problem is in not knowing what "down" means.

Upside down = base up.


Well, that lets out most ceiling fixtures. Guess you can use 'em only in
lamps.

Anybody try a CFL in an oven or refrigerator?

Mark Lloyd wrote:
On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:51:09 -0500, mm
wrote:

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:45:09 -0600, "readandpostrosie"
wrote:

i bought a THREE WAY fluorescent bulb.................two of the
three levels are gone.
i bet i used the lamp once, for about five minutes.

Well, there are really only two levels plus the sum of the two. So
when one goes, that's always two.


That is true for 3-way incandescent. Are you sure it is for CFLs too?

It is for at least some.

I would suggest the OP just return them to the store for a replacement.
They were defective, just like you can get a defective traditional lamp.



--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

"Nate Nagel" wrote in message
...
wrote:

I have some vanity-globe style Sylvanias in the bathroom
that are nightlight-bright for about 10 seconds and take another 30
seconds to come up full brightness -- very annoying, especially since
the globe-style are so much more expensive than a plain spiral.

Where do you even find those?

http://www.topbulb.com/find/prod_lis...Category_E_780

--
Peace,
BobJ




I'm quite happy with the CFLs in my
bathroom, other than the fact that they look quite ghetto sticking all
spirally out of the wall.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On 26 Feb 2007 17:20:49 -0800, wrote:

The problem is in not knowing what "down" means.

Upside down = base up.


Local "down" is the direction that an object with no means of support
or propulsion will move in.

Anyhoo, CFLs vary widely by brand and even by model for warm-up time.
I have some LOAs and Feit Electrics that come on full intensity, and
some of the same brand (earlier production?) that take a bit to
brighten up. I have some vanity-globe style Sylvanias in the bathroom
that are nightlight-bright for about 10 seconds and take another 30
seconds to come up full brightness --

This can be an advantage in dark areas where there are people who may
not expect the light to be turned on.

very annoying, especially since
the globe-style are so much more expensive than a plain spiral. I also
have a GE that has a totally dark delay, then comes on, which annoys
me more than the Sylvanias.

My advice is, try different brands until you find one that you like.
Kind of expensive way to go about it, though. I wish these things were
rated on the package with the time it takes to go, from off at 72*F,
to 80% of full rated brightness.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Unlike biological evolution. 'intelligent design' is
not a genuine scientific theory and, therefore, has
no place in the curriculum of our nation's public
school classes." -- Ted Kennedy

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:27:38 -0600, "HeyBub"
wrote:

wrote:
The problem is in not knowing what "down" means.

Upside down = base up.


Well, that lets out most ceiling fixtures. Guess you can use 'em only in
lamps.

Anybody try a CFL in an oven or refrigerator?


I haven't, but I do have one in a range hood.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Unlike biological evolution. 'intelligent design' is
not a genuine scientific theory and, therefore, has
no place in the curriculum of our nation's public
school classes." -- Ted Kennedy

In article , HeyBub wrote:
wrote:
The problem is in not knowing what "down" means.

Upside down = base up.


Well, that lets out most ceiling fixtures. Guess you can use 'em only in
lamps.

Anybody try a CFL in an oven or refrigerator?

I consider that not recommended, and also low on rate of payback even if
they do (*cough, sputter*) work well in such locations due to low usage.

Ovens require oven bulbs or appliance bulbs rated for such heat.

Also, I recommend against CFLs for motion sensor lights, lights in
bathrooms used mainly for short trips, and most usage of closet lights
due to low ontime per month and low onmtime per start.

- Don Klipstein )

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:57:48 GMT, Mitch Mitch@... wrote:

By the way...the brand is Lights of America (I had a coupon).
I wonder of GE would be any different?


Oops.... I think you've identified the problem .

rj

HeyBub wrote:
wrote:
The problem is in not knowing what "down" means.
Upside down = base up.


Well, that lets out most ceiling fixtures. Guess you can use 'em only in
lamps.

Anybody try a CFL in an oven or refrigerator?


Won't work very well in a refrig due to cold and need for instant on.
Also no real energy savings so why bother?

Lou

On Feb 26, 4:54 pm, Mitch Mitch@... wrote:
Are your Recessed lights on a dimmer?

Nope...not this set.

I was planning to eventually replace all the kitchen bulbs with these,
but there's no way I could have 7 of these things taking several
minutes to light up!

If your buying these from a grocery store or similiar.....this is a no
no. You get what you pay for. Your better off going to a specialty
lighting store which will have quality bulbs, etc. Please Note that
even the HD or Lowes does not have top quality lamps .......or not as
quality as a specialty lighting store. You might try this.....buy
one.......and see the difference.

Dean

On Feb 27, 6:38 am, "RJ" wrote:
On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:57:48 GMT, Mitch Mitch@... wrote:
By the way...the brand is Lights of America (I had a coupon).
I wonder of GE would be any different?

Oops.... I think you've identified the problem .

rj

ANYTHING GE............SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have some that turn on instantly,

Do you happen to know the brand?

Thanks,
Mitch

I have some vanity-globe style Sylvanias in the bathroom
Where do you even find those?

It was either Lowes or Home Depot... probably Lowes. They were not
prominently displayed and were often out of stock, took me several
trips to find them and collect 4 of them.

Well, that lets out most ceiling fixtures. Guess you can use 'em only in
lamps.

I guess I'm lucky, most of my ceiling fixtures have the bulb
horizontal. I do use CFLs in my ceiling fan, where they hang at about
a 30 degree angle from vertical. I had one set of straight CFLs that
only lasted a little over a year, but I now have a set of spirals in
there that are doing better -- only one infant mortality so far after
a couple of years.

Come to think of it, I do have a base up installation in the laundry
room, and it's in an enclosed glass globe to boot. Hasn't failed after
5 years, though of course it's not used heavily.

This can be an advantage in dark areas where there are people who may
not expect the light to be turned on.

I agree, but not in a guest bathroom where guests feel like they're
using the toilet in a cave.

Also, I recommend against CFLs for motion sensor lights

Not only that, but they often don't work in motion sensor fixtures
because they are not a 100% resistive load. That can confuse the
motion-sensing circuitry -- I know it did on mine, so I had no choice
but to use an incandescent.

Lou wrote:

Anybody try a CFL in an oven or refrigerator?


Won't work very well in a refrig due to cold and need for instant on.
Also no real energy savings so why bother?

As with most efforts to "save the environment," it's the thought, rather
than the results, that matter.

On 27 Feb 2007 08:30:34 -0800, wrote:


Not only that, but they often don't work in motion sensor fixtures
because they are not a 100% resistive load. That can confuse the
motion-sensing circuitry -- I know it did on mine, so I had no choice
but to use an incandescent.

That's strange. I would expect the motion sensing part to be unrelated
to the load. I would think it doesn't see the load at all, until it
turns on, and then it should work with any load.

But you know what happened with yours.

In article , mm wrote:
On 27 Feb 2007 08:30:34 -0800, wrote:


Not only that, but they often don't work in motion sensor fixtures
because they are not a 100% resistive load. That can confuse the
motion-sensing circuitry -- I know it did on mine, so I had no choice
but to use an incandescent.

That's strange. I would expect the motion sensing part to be unrelated
to the load. I would think it doesn't see the load at all, until it
turns on, and then it should work with any load.

Motion sensor lights often rely on electronic switching means that I
suspect requires the load to draw current both significantly exceeding
zero and in the same direction as that to be motivated by the line voltage
whenever the motion sensor electronics give a turn-on signal to the usual
triac.

Much of the time, an incandescent load in parallel with the compact
fluorescent load fixes things - although this is not guaranteed. The
triac may be triggered by motion sensing at a moment when it will have to
spend possibly 1/20-1/10 of a millisecond conducting ballpark 100 amps to
charge up the filter capacitor in a usual electronic-ballasted CFL, or
in the case of a magnetic ballast deal with unfavorability to current
flowing in same direction as applied voltage early in a half cycle when a
half cycle is defined by/within applied voltage.
You may get away with it, sometimes, or maybe for some significant
amount of time - but usage of electrical equipment in ways other than as
directed can be a *BAD THING* should a fire start or if anything goes
BLAMMO, even if the bad results that occurred during "abuse" were
unrelated to "abuse" and would have occurred during normal use. For a
major example, fire insurance companies may give major grief should a fire
start at electrical equipment being used other than as directed, even if
the electrical equipment in question went BLOOEY for a reason other than
being abused/misused.

So, I would not use CFLs with motion sensor lights unless the CFLs are
rated for use with dimmers, electronic switching devices, and the like.

Heck, I would avoid usage of CFLs on motion sensor lights even if only
due to low ontime per year and low ontime per start - both of which
disfavor economic advantage of most CFLs, and 1 of which (low
ontime per year) disfavors economic advantage of all CFLs in most
locations and most CFLs in at least pretty much all locations.

I favor CFLs and I light my home with them, I like them, but I feel that
exaggerating their favorability works against them due to exaggerations
being known by enough people to be significant enemies should enough be
offended by exaggerations.

- Don Klipstein )