Author Topic: CFL lamps instant start  (Read 8240 times)
dp
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CFL lamps instant start « on: November 15, 2007, 04:23:01 PM » Author: dp
I have some CFLs in my collection, ie Philips Genie 11w, which when power is applied, gives off light immediately. Is this what is known as a cold start for the CFL lamp which causes more damage to the electrodes?

I also recently bought a new CFL from Asdas, a 20w GE BC Spiral CFL, this does the same thing when turned on. Pictures to come soon when I get my good digital camera back.
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TudorWhiz
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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #1 on: November 15, 2007, 05:02:38 PM » Author: TudorWhiz
I have some CFLs in my collection, ie Philips Genie 11w, which when power is applied, gives off light immediately. Is this what is known as a cold start for the CFL lamp which causes more damage to the electrodes?

I also recently bought a new CFL from Asdas, a 20w GE BC Spiral CFL, this does the same thing when turned on. Pictures to come soon when I get my good digital camera back.

I actually found instant start CFL lasted longer than the slower start ones, the oldest Sprials I have are instant start!
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dp
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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #2 on: November 15, 2007, 05:50:04 PM » Author: dp
I have some CFLs in my collection, ie Philips Genie 11w, which when power is applied, gives off light immediately. Is this what is known as a cold start for the CFL lamp which causes more damage to the electrodes?

I also recently bought a new CFL from Asdas, a 20w GE BC Spiral CFL, this does the same thing when turned on. Pictures to come soon when I get my good digital camera back.

I actually found instant start CFL lasted longer than the slower start ones, the oldest Sprials I have are instant start!

Yes each starting methods have their advantage - I like it how it starts up straight away, and doesn't take a second or two as it is indeed instant.
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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #3 on: November 20, 2007, 09:18:31 AM » Author: J-Frog
It depends on how the CFL is used.  The instant start ones do well in places where the light will be on for a while, like a porch light that runs all night.  The programmed start ones do well in places like a bathroom where the lights are switched on and off a lot.
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Jeremiah The Bullfrog

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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #4 on: November 20, 2007, 10:32:15 AM » Author: TudorWhiz
It depends on how the CFL is used.  The instant start ones do well in places where the light will be on for a while, like a porch light that runs all night.  The programmed start ones do well in places like a bathroom where the lights are switched on and off a lot.

uh Jeremiah, don't you remember how I explained and showed you my stuff, I tried those Sylvania "rapid start" CFL and other "rapid start CFL" (plus other deaf people I talked to told me about this too) on my alarm clock flasher and it kills them in a week, but since then, I started using instant start ones, and they still flash on me after 6 years! The programmed start don't do well since it takes too long to start them and is too late....
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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #5 on: November 20, 2007, 06:49:07 PM » Author: J-Frog
Hey Jace, yes I do remember that, I did fail to mention the rapid start ones, those do indeed wear out faster than the instant start ones because the electrodes are kept in a cold cathode state too long as evidenced by the endglow being purple around the electrodes.

Yes, instant start is best in a deaf flasher because program start takes too long in that application and sometimes the lamp never lights up.

My previous post was referring to general use for a CFL, not a special case like a deaf flasher.  For general, 1 being best 3 worst, 1. Programmed 2. Instant 3. Rapid.  In a deaf flasher the instant start is the best choice.
« Last Edit: November 20, 2007, 06:57:04 PM by J-Frog » Logged

Jeremiah The Bullfrog

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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #6 on: March 28, 2008, 12:13:27 AM » Author: Mr. Big
I have some CFLs in my collection, ie Philips Genie 11w, which when power is applied, gives off light immediately. Is this what is known as a cold start for the CFL lamp which causes more damage to the electrodes?

I also recently bought a new CFL from Asdas, a 20w GE BC Spiral CFL, this does the same thing when turned on. Pictures to come soon when I get my good digital camera back.

I know this is kind of an old topic, but one of my CFLs (now dead) went from instant start to rapid start ??? I honestly don't know what happened there! does anyone else
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sparkie
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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #7 on: March 28, 2008, 02:15:38 PM » Author: sparkie
I have had this happen too. It is probably due to the electrodes depleting to the point that they cannot instant-start anymore, so they do a rapid-start behaviour of lighting up dim with purple and brightening quickly.

As for instant-start, it seems that a lot of lamps made today use this starting method as it is more acceptable to the general lighting users who switch from incandescent and are too impatient to wait 2 seconds when switching on lights!

Of the lamps I have, all of the 11, 9 and 8 watt ones do instant or rapid start. But I do have some higher powered ones which are programmed start including a 20w GE spiral and (my favourite) a 12w Osram pear shaped lamp.
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lightman64
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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #8 on: December 29, 2008, 02:53:50 PM » Author: lightman64
rapid start is my favorite; they look cool when they come on. sadly, sylvania started using instant start ballasts in their cfls. the only way you can get a rapid start is if you use the light bulb base up. (which i do all the time!)
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Preheat CFL's should make a comeback!

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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #9 on: December 30, 2008, 01:24:16 PM » Author: lightman64
sylvania makes "instant - on" CFls , supposedly new technolgy but they work the same as regular- still have to warm up. http://ecom.mysylvania.com/sylvaniab2c/b2c/z_login.do         this is a link to what the new instant on bulbs look like
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The future of street lighting is Induction, not nasty HPS lights or cr@ppy LED lights!
Preheat CFL's should make a comeback!

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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #10 on: December 30, 2008, 01:30:23 PM » Author: TudorWhiz
rapid start is my favorite; they look cool when they come on. sadly, sylvania started using instant start ballasts in their cfls. the only way you can get a rapid start is if you use the light bulb base up. (which i do all the time!)



Be careful, Dave the Silverliner told me most of the CFL fires has seemed to happen with the CFL that has been installed base up!

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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #11 on: December 30, 2008, 01:47:55 PM » Author: lightman64
most of the lighting in my house is open recessed lighting. about 2 years ago, i went all cfl. it cut my bill about $70 - $120 dollars. they all seem to work ok ; different fixtures require differt cfls. here is a list of what i use.

Recessed Open Lighting- 13 watt Ge or N:Vision Spirals 2700K

Eyeball Recessed Open - 14 Watt N:Vision Enclosed Flood Spiral

Enclosed Recessed - 13 watt Ge or N:Vision Spirals also 2700K

Vent Fan Lights- 23 Watt Sylvania Sprials 3000K

Table Lamps -  23 Watt Sylvania, Ge or N:vision Spirals 2700K or 3000K (Depending on what looks best)

Misc- What works best!!    ;D



« Last Edit: December 30, 2008, 01:49:29 PM by lightman64 » Logged

The future of street lighting is Induction, not nasty HPS lights or cr@ppy LED lights!
Preheat CFL's should make a comeback!

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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #12 on: December 30, 2008, 03:39:48 PM » Author: Mercury Man
I have a very old Commercial Electric 9 watt spiral bulb which no longer instant starts, it flickers for about five seconds before starting.  It used to be in my hallway and ran for about 3 years all day and all night (and now it is in my closet).  I keep thinking that it is going to die soon but it has been doing this now for a couple months and just keeps on lighting up!  And the ends are heavily blackened, but the darn thing just will not die!
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Mr. Big
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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #13 on: December 30, 2008, 05:19:25 PM » Author: Mr. Big
@brian you want it to die? :o
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Mr. Big
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Re: CFL lamps instant start « Reply #14 on: December 30, 2008, 07:45:42 PM » Author: Mr. Big
Take pics or a video when it does die! I love watching CFLs die!  ;D
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