I'm checking out cold cathode flourescent lights. They are very thin tubes using 4 watts each 12 inch tubes and heavy starting wires that should last 30,00 hours. A inverter converts 12 volts to 600volts. They do take a few moment to get to full brightness. I've seen small ones in portable lanterns. Several alternative energy sites are selling them for 30-40 bucks. One site claims they are twice as efficient as regular flourescent lights. I found some on sale at case-mods.com for $4.25 ,for twin 12 inch tube kits. They are selling them to computer nerds who put them in the computer case to make them look cool. I bought 4 and just ordered 10 more. I put one under the cabinent in the kitchen. It was much brighter than the 20 watt halogen it replaced. I put two (total 16 watts) in my wifes clothes room to replace two 20 watt halogen. Which replaced a 30 watt regular flourescent that kept burning out because of the many on-off cycles. Much brighter and the claim is it won't burn out with lots of cycles. One wart is they come without any case so they are too bright to look directly at(even with only 4 watts) So I've used aluminum foil or heavy white paper to make reflectors. I put one in the pantry. I broke one tube twisting them while mounting them. So now the room is lit up with one 4 watt cold cathode tube and I can see better in the refrigerator and shelves than I could with a halogen that directed it's light in the wrong direction. I'll add the second tube when my next order comes. I'm pretty happy with these low power, bright lights. I've tried all kinds of Leds including ones with 30 leds that draw 200ma but they don't hold a candle to these and cost much more for area lighting. For focused and portable lights I'll stick to Leds.
Chris |
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