Share your pain since the last couple of years I keep receipts ! Had some fun at B&Q taking stuff back

H

Never seen a bulb guaranteed for 25000 hours or 25 years. They're usually warranted for 2 years. The life expectancy, in hours, isn't part of the guarantee.

Some folk seem to have more reliability problems than others, and I suspect this may be down to local problems such as spikes and over-voltages on their mains supply. I don't buy anything special or keep records, but so far my low-energy lamps are at least as reliable as filament types and fluorescents.

Mains spikes can be generated in the home by fridge/freezers, washing machines, and central heating systems. And machine tools…

If trouble is expected, keep the receipts!

Dave

I like the filament ones and have bought these from several places. Most have lasted well, none have failed completely but a few started flickering. Some which were bought via Amazon I did manage to get replaced, others I tried but found that the company had phoenixed in spite of having the same trading name and would not honour previous guarantees. Good news was that they all lasted long enough to save money vs incandescent.

[Thread drift] Perhaps depends when you last moved, but actual paper deeds are obsolete now, surely? All you need is the reference to the entry on the Land Registry, as that poor chap who was defrauded of his unnoccupied house while living away found out.

Son in law obtained some LED lamps, for me, ,for use in a reading lamp and the workshop, direct from China.

The ES ones in nthe lamp started to flicker (Presumably half of the full wave rectifier had failed )

The GU22 ones, in an GU22 / BC adaptor are still functioning several years on, despite being used for shorter periods and being switched on more frequently.

The more recently installed GLS LED lamps, in the house, (bought from various supermarkets ) seem to be functioning quite well.

Have recently installed 13 watt ones, in addition to the 9 watt ones. The light seems to be bright, possibly because of a higher colour temperature.

The idea is that in view of the huge rise in electricity and standing charges, the capital cost will be recouped by the lower current consumption, and long life.

The house is almost all LEDs, now, only one or two CFLs still in place. (Wish that I had not stock piled them as replacement for conventional filament lamps! )

Time will tell!

Howard

I’ve now given up buying LED lamps for the overhead lighting in our lounge. Trying to buy a cool white LED lamp with a light output similar to a 100W GLS isn’t easy it seems and the ones I’ve tried have only lasted about 6 months. I’ve wasted a lot of money and ended up with at least six lamps going into the bin. LED may be cheaper to run but buying them and binning them is most definitely not cost effective.

Vic
if you can accept 30W 600mmx600mm panels these + the driver can be fixed to a flat ceiling with a 50mm deep box-surround – these give considerably more light than a 150W old style light bulb – they also last for considerably longer – one in my front room here in IoM has run so far over 10 years (that in my UK house just a miserable 4 years – but you need warm colour as cool white which works well in my workshop cellar will be too unpleasant.

I have been looking for a couple of E10 (10mm dia) Eddison based 240volt 5watt bulbs. Tried all the local hardware / DIY stores local to me (France). Nothing remotely like it except 6v torch bulbs. These bulbs are used on ancient EDF electricity supply contracts which indicate the cost rate of tomorrows electricity (Cheap or expensive).

Finally went on the internet and found a bag of 4 LED lamps E10 Eddison based 240volt for less than 5€ delivered in 48 hours. If they last as long as advertised, am a pleased customer.

Bob

Duncan
The panels are the standard panels used in open plan offices and available from many suppliers – look for your nearest Electrical suppliers eg TLC, City Electrical or Rexal – those on the IoM were made by JCC, those in UK from TLC but most now seem to offer the fitting.
Basically there is enough area in the metal rim and back of the light panel to act as a heat sink.
The base in the LED bulbs is too small and the fitting generally too constrained to allow good heat dissipation.

can be fixed with small metal brackets (after all we are supposed to be engineers) but this requires the drivers to be remote or as stated “a 50mm deep box-surround ” which allows the driver to sit on top of the panel and doesn’t need any change to the wiring – a dimmer will be essential for domestic use.

I find with LED lamps that if the lamp hangs down from the fitting, it lasts longer than if the fitting is upwards as in a table lamp. Maybe something to do with what heat is generated

Roy

mgnbuk
I have one of those LED fittings in my kitchen in IoM and also in UK – been in service now for near 10 years in both places – mine were made by JCC and bought off Rexal (I think this is current name was I think Rex when I dealt with them).

Vic – as most ceilings are painted white as is the enclosure box it is fairly innocuous against the ceiling especially if rather high as in my flat – this being a long room I have two – one near middle and the other set over the table in the bow window; but tastes obviously vary – the light is uniform and shadowless.

Edited By Frances IoM on 25/03/2022 14:25:20