Mercury Vapor Alternative?

[Turbo]

I picked up some 65 watt compact flourescents at Home Depot for 19.99 a piece. They replace the 175 watt mercury vapor bulbs but use approx 2/3 less watts and give off approx the same light.

I installed one of these about three days ago and it seems to be working fine. I installed it in a wall pack.

Here is the link of what I am talking about:


http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2963435&CAWELAID=128949483

Are these a bad idea? I had not heard of these and they seem to work fine. Am I missing something?

Thanks

Turbo

 

[pitzerwm]

One thing that I've found is that in my house, they don't last 10000 hours. Probably because they are made in China or someplace like it.

 

[MEP001]

CFL's are a lot better now than they were five years ago. They're still less efficient than metal halide or T5 (tube) fluorescent, but if you don't want to spend a bunch of money replacing fixtures there's nothing wrong with them.

 

[Turbo]

CFL's are a lot better now than they were five years ago. They're still less efficient than metal halide or T5 (tube) fluorescent, but if you don't want to spend a bunch of money replacing fixtures there's nothing wrong with them.

MEP001,

Thanks for info. they seem to work as well as the merc vapors. not enough to detail in the bay but since the walls are white I think its enough to wash a car. Definitely brighter than most other carwashs I have seen.

Bill,

Hopefully mine will last. The payback is 5 months:

175 watts*12hours/day*150 days*.00011 $/hour * 110 watt savings/175 watt total=21.78

19.99 *1.1025=22.04

I kept the old bulbs. I wonder how the CFLs will perfrom when its zero outside.

Thanks

Thanks

 

[MEP001]

Most are rated to -20°. They might struggle a bit when they first come on, but in an enclosed fixture they should be fully bright once the inside of the fixture warms up.