Replies

1. 
   sungod | Dec 11, 2008 08:23pm | #1

   I have had problems with a few. Most will not work with the new CFL ones. Also, I like to install them in the day time, but they need adjusting at night time.
   The older ones use to be very good. You could tell them apart from the new ones cause they would clik on and off even when the bulb was not in it.

2. 
   LiveFreeorDie | Dec 11, 2008 09:42pm | #2

   RAB lighting makes a good quality Motion sensor line.

    

   http://www.rabweb.com/products.php

1. 
   RobWes | Dec 11, 2008 11:43pm | #3

   I'm using two RAB's right now and would buy more in a minute if I needed to.

3. 
   Cal67 | Dec 12, 2008 12:04am | #4

   I generally agree with the preceding responses to your post.  I will throw in an additional question.  We are seeing a lot of the new "energy efficient" bulbs sold in a floodlight configuration that would be suitable for some situations.  Any thoughts on using these for lights systems set to respond to motion sensors.  I am concerned that too frequent on and off will lead to premature failure of these lamps, and depending on the lamp there may be a lag time between turning lamp on and seeing the lamp reach maximum light output.  As one might expect, I find little information on lamp boxes.

   Thanks,

   Cal

1. 
   LiveFreeorDie | Dec 12, 2008 01:28am | #5

   The one thing to remember about CFLs is that they are fluorescent, which requires a ballast to fire, most of the CFL ballasts are not rated for starts in extreme cold temps. If you want to see everything brightly when the motion sensor fires, stick with your incandescent floods, it is only on a short time anyway, not enough to impact you bill much.

1. 
   Cal67 | Dec 12, 2008 04:35pm | #6

   Greed and a bit of laziness, even mini scale, can be a significant motivator.  My wife insisted on a night light when the kids were dating and coming in at varied hours.  I went low wattage incandescent and got tired of changing them out.  Went to the screw in florescent when they came out and loved the long life as much as the low wattage.  Now there is the pressure for motion sensor lights because of some "stuff" going on in the neighbor hood; so, I am just trying to get as much information as I can before expanding motion sensor network of lights. Thanks much for you thoughts. I am aware of the slow start up in cold weather, but the screw in florescent in my house,in the summer heat of Louisiana, start dim and gradually increase to their maximum lumen output. When these finally burnout I will likely be looking for some that have a faster rate of coming to full out put.

1. 
   LiveFreeorDie | Dec 12, 2008 05:28pm | #7

   The CFL technology is constantly advancing, most of Philips CFLs are being made to start cold with much less start up time, and they do have dimmable ones as well. The technology is really taking off on LEDs, you will probably be making that change in the near future.

1. 
   Cal67 | Dec 12, 2008 08:47pm | #8

   Hi,

   I have read about the cold start and dimmable units (love to put dimmable in my interior recessed lights).  Big problem down here in central Louisiana appears to be that the "big box" stores will not or currently do not stock them.  Best thing I have seen so far has been a three position dimmable unit--not exactly the ideal for a rheostat type dimmer.  Smaller stores will sometimes place an order, but often they don't know what they are really going to receive.  So, I wait and try to be patient.

   Probably biggest limitation on range of supply is that stores think of the reachable population as only about 100,000 and too many of us drive not new trucks and not enough BMWs :-).

   Thanks for your input.

   Cal

2. 
   popawheelie | Dec 13, 2008 05:43am | #11

   Exactly! It's the tail wagging the dog. It's a shame really.

2. 
   HoustonsProblem | Dec 13, 2008 03:16am | #9

   Lowes carries twin packs of Sylvania, Soft White Micro-Mini cfl's that have 825 lumen, 13 watt, 12000 hour ratings.The front of the package says Instant-On. They come on with to near full brightness instantly and will gain a little bit more brightness after a brief amount of time.They are much faster than any other cfl's I have.It's been in the 40's in Houston and the one I have on my outside porch and it is working fine. They are very small and will fit in any fixture that a normal bulb would fit.

1. 
   Cal67 | Dec 13, 2008 05:34am | #10

   Thanks, I'll check with the local Lowes.  On my last trip through I was perhaps too focused on a stupid specific little halogen bulb needed for my range hood. 

   Heck, we go big time after Christmas with the opening of a second Lowes in our area!

   Take care,

   Cal