Rubbish fluorescent tubes: Eterna Lighting (UK), GE (US)

[Sherman]

Originally posted by whatsnext



I've had super good luck with both Phillips and GE bulbs, zero failures in 20+ bulbs over four year time frame, and most of them are upside down. My porch light has been on 24/7 for about four years and it's a cheapy LOA twister. If I had this many failures I'd be checking my AC supply especially looking for DC offset. Do any of your other electric items show poor lifespans? I've heard of filament bulbs lasting 20 years though so it's hard to figure out how long your bulbs are actually lasting before failure.
John.......

Actually when I had all the failures with the Phillips bulbs I pulled out the meter and went around checking. No DC on the line. The only thing I found was that my mains voltage could be as high as 124 VAC and as low as 119 VAC. I went next door and tested their outside outlets at the same time and found the same voltages, so nothing especially odd about my house.

I check my mains voltage pretty often since I like to double check my B+ voltages against what is happening in the house AC. I have also put my scope on the raw AC and haven't seen anything untoward.

I haven't had any problems with any other electronic equipment. I have a small computer network here, a couple servers half a dozen workstations, four or five printers, switches, routers etc. with nary a peep.

Also my amps seem to perform just fine, though with B+ voltages a little higher than spec'd due to the higher mains voltage.

I think CFL bulbs just don't like me.

[richie00boy]

By upside down do you mean the bulb end is pointing towards the ground? I've moved house 4 times since 1999 and taken the Philips Ecotone bulbs with me every time, not had one go yet. They are all pointing towards the floor in normal light fittings, except for one upward pointing one in a lamp.

Recently fitted a fluorescent tube light in my loft, can't remember if I got it from Focus or B&Q. No problems with it though.

[Wavebourn]

I heard that poltergeist is quite common in England...