5 years 8 months later

[graylocks]

on January 14, 2003 i put a GE 15w compact fluorescent bulb in my front porch fixture. it is on anywhere from 4 to seven hours a day. when i travel out of town, it can be on 24/7 for up to 4 weeks a stretch.

it finally died this weekend. what a trooper!

i bought another CP but just discovered that when they painted the house in august of 2003, the workers completely sealed the fixture with paint and now i can't figure out how to get the dang cover off. it's always something.

[Tofer]

Well, a trooper, but not quite this bulb:

http://www.centennialbulb.org/

-Tofer

[JEBB]

Incandescent bulbs rated for 220V will also last many years when used with 110V.

[GeneL]

JEBB wrote:
Incandescent bulbs rated for 220V will also last many years when used with 110V.

Really?

Where does one buy 220v bulbs? Do they have a standard base? What do they cost compared to standard bulbs?

[bobinmurphy]

graylocks wrote:
on January 14, 2003 i put a GE 15w compact fluorescent bulb in my front porch fixture. it is on anywhere from 4 to seven hours a day. when i travel out of town, it can be on 24/7 for up to 4 weeks a stretch.

A number of years ago I was chatting with our local police chief and he mentioned that just by driving thru the neighborhood he could tell who was home and who wasn't. The key was porch lights. Most people turn them off when they're at home and only turn the on when there's someone at the door or when they're away from home. Ever since then my porch light has been on 24/7. And yes, I use the compact fluorescents and they typically last about 5 years.

Anyway, think about how you operate your porch light -- you might be telegraphing just when is the best time for a burglar to hit your house.

[ztirffritz]

I have an LED on in front of our home. It is on 24x7. It is about 1 year old so far, but seems to be doing well.

[vicrock]

One answer to the porch light issue is to buy a socket with a light sensor - off at dawn, on at dusk reliably 365 days a year.

[Stephanie]

GeneL wrote:
[quote=JEBB]
Incandescent bulbs rated for 220V will also last many years when used with 110V.

Really?

Where does one buy 220v bulbs? Do they have a standard base? What do they cost compared to standard bulbs?
Well, my dad researched these: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/di...mber=42538 and determined they'd be good. I have a bunch now

[graylocks]

bobinmurphy wrote: Anyway, think about how you operate your porch light -- you might be telegraphing just when is the best time for a burglar to hit your house.

actually, it has occurred to me that if someone was truly casing my house, they would know when i was out of town. the only time the porch light is on 24/7 is when i'm gone. when i am home, it goes on at dark and off when i go to bed. maybe i should look into a light sensing device. of course, if i don't get this cover off, it's a moot point.

[graylocks]

vicrock wrote:
One answer to the porch light issue is to buy a socket with a light sensor - off at dawn, on at dusk reliably 365 days a year.

so, it's something you put into a socket, not something in the light switch itself? OTOH, i'm not sure i'd want the light on all night as i can see the light from my bedroom. ugh.