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Recommendation? Light bulbs

annr

annr

Basic Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2006
Messages
9,898
I’m looking for light bulbs that are the best substitute for the traditional 60 watt incandescent bulb. I don’t want LED. I don’t want a blue colored light. Thanks.
 
So LED coloured?

Which they do.

A quick look says that is called warm white.

I have never worried about brands for light bulbs.
 
Drop bear said:
So LED coloured?

Which they do.

A quick look says that is called warm white.

I have never worried about brands for light bulbs.
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Thanks. No LED regardless of color. An electrician installed kitchen fixture with adjustable LED color light. Hated that damn thing and had him come back and replace the same day —which he very graciously did.

I’m aware of light and it has an impact on the quality of the lighting in my home and on the quality of my work: I use specific lighting to backlight and work on my “workpieces.”
 
annr said:
I’m looking for light bulbs that are the best substitute for the traditional 60 watt incandescent bulb. I don’t want LED. I don’t want a blue colored light. Thanks.
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I'm not understanding the question. If you need 60 watt incandescent bulbs, you can buy them. Why do you need a substitute?

If LED is a no-go, then the only substitute is going to be a compact fluorescent.
They do make fluorescent bulbs in a "warm white" 2700K. 2700K is supposed to be roughly equivalent to incandescent light.
 
knarfeng said:
I'm not understanding the question. If you need 60 watt incandescent bulbs, you can buy them. Why do you need a substitute?

If LED is a no-go, then the only substitute is going to be a compact fluorescent.
They do make fluorescent bulbs in a "warm white" 2700K. 2700K is supposed to be roughly equivalent to incandescent light.
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“In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy, under the Biden administration, announced the phaseout of energy-wasting lightbulbs, banning the manufacture and sales of common incandescent lightbulbs starting on Aug. 1, 2023.”

I (and many others) do not like fluorescent lights for a variety or reasons—some of them technical — and warm white is not comparable. Just like artists want to paint in certain light, I have similar requirements and objections to these other bulbs.

Interestingly, incandescent traffic lights are still allowed. If you have a source for 60 watt incandescent…
 
annr said:
“In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy, under the Biden administration, announced the phaseout of energy-wasting lightbulbs, banning the manufacture and sales of common incandescent lightbulbs starting on Aug. 1, 2023.”

I (and many others) do not like fluorescent lights for a variety or reasons—some of them technical — and warm white is not comparable. Just like artists want to paint in certain light, I have similar requirements and objections to these other bulbs.

Interestingly, incandescent traffic lights are still allowed. If you have a source for 60 watt incandescent…
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Ebay or something?
 
 
annr said:
“In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy, under the Biden administration, announced the phaseout of energy-wasting lightbulbs, banning the manufacture and sales of common incandescent lightbulbs starting on Aug. 1, 2023.”

I (and many others) do not like fluorescent lights for a variety or reasons—some of them technical — and warm white is not comparable. Just like artists want to paint in certain light, I have similar requirements and objections to these other bulbs.

Interestingly, incandescent traffic lights are still allowed. If you have a source for 60 watt incandescent…
Click to expand...
Huh....I guess Home Depot didn't get the memo......I just bought some 3-way incandescent bulbs a couple weeks ago.....
 
I'd be looking into a combo set up then. Low end LEDs are not great, but it depends on what your exact problems with them are. Adjustable color ones tend to be not as good as either single color or "dual chip" warm/cool setups, and the single color tend to be even better. I'd also look at what you can do with high efficiency halogens, maybe set up some specific work lights with those? Is it color reproduction, flicker, or something else that is not working for you? Start looking around at different brands that publish their output graphs, sure they won't look the same as incandescent, but if you find some that have wider/shorter peaks instead of the cheapies that are very narrow high outputs that should help, just expect to spend some. That said, the high end ones tend to be pretty "buy once".

As for traffic lights, the enclosures were designed to have a certain level of heat in them, and a lot of areas that swapped to LED without considering that found out what happens if the humidity (or snow) builds up in and around the enclosures.
 
 
Drop bear said:
Ebay or something?
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There are a couple on eBay. One bulb is $25 by one seller and limited supply. I saw some from UK and don’t know about shipping and customs.

When this was first proposed a few administrations ago I stocked up— storing them in the basement. I figured this stash would give me time to figure something out. However, someone in my family was using them and never told me…
 
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gadgetgeek said:
I'd be looking into a combo set up then. Low end LEDs are not great, but it depends on what your exact problems with them are. Adjustable color ones tend to be not as good as either single color or "dual chip" warm/cool setups, and the single color tend to be even better. I'd also look at what you can do with high efficiency halogens, maybe set up some specific work lights with those? Is it color reproduction, flicker, or something else that is not working for you? Start looking around at different brands that publish their output graphs, sure they won't look the same as incandescent, but if you find some that have wider/shorter peaks instead of the cheapies that are very narrow high outputs that should help, just expect to spend some. That said, the high end ones tend to be pretty "buy once".

As for traffic lights, the enclosures were designed to have a certain level of heat in them, and a lot of areas that swapped to LED without considering that found out what happens if the humidity (or snow) builds up in and around the enclosures.
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I'm not happy with the color, the flicker, and I don't know what else in technical terms--even the aesthetics.

Why are incandescent lights look "better?"

A full and balanced spectrum of visible light

Starting with the visible, incandescent light gives off a naturally full and very pure spectrum. As we know, a full spectrum light usually means a high - or in the case of incandescence, nearly perfect - color rendering index, or CRI, score.
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I like something that approximates natural light like the old incandescents do.

I work on very small, thin, textured items that are only a few shades away from white (yellowish or tanish), and I simply can't see what I'm looking for/at. I remove on the order of microns with a very sharp knife.

Some of the new bulbs are too yellow, too blue and/or too intense. Need something easy on the eyes for close-up work. I had hoped to avoid studying lightbulbs and spending a lot time and bother to test different combinations trying to approximate my setup. You are right though, I probably have to learn more and try some new things--and possibly purchase new lamps or fixtures. (I've got enough on my plate.)

I found these European light bulbs, but it's a bit more complicated than getting something here in terms of shipping, damage, returns, customs, etc.Any thoughts?
https://healthlighting.com/collections/chromalux-full-spectrum-incandescent-bulbs
 
Arathol said:
Huh....I guess Home Depot didn't get the memo......I just bought some 3-way incandescent bulbs a couple weeks ago.....
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Thanks. There is nothing that is 60 watts, but perhaps I can get away with 50 watts or a dimmable bulb with different fixtures.
 
From Home Depot and Washington Examiner :

(note: Trump rolled back some of these changes in 2019, and now some are in effect under Biden's action)

Jan 23, 2017

Standard Incandescent Bulbs Banned For 3-Way Lamps & Globe Bulbs​


kbeadmin

3–4 minutes


On the last day of President Barack Obama’s U.S. presidency (January 19th 2017), the Energy Department under his administration outlawed additional types of standard incandescent bulbs. The law signed by Congress in 2007 banning most of your standard incandescent bulbs from production had a few exceptions: 3-way light bulbs, rough surface light bulbs, bug light bulbs, and decorative, globe-shaped light bulbs, to name a few. But before Obama left office, the Energy Department included some of these types of standard incandescent bulbs in the ban, which goes into effect in three years.
Note: The term “standard” in standard incandescent light bulbs refer to the tungsten-filament incandescents, or so-called “inefficient incandescents”. There are manufacturers still producing incandescent bulbs that meet the energy efficiency requirements under the mandate.
Note: U.S. production will stop for 3-way and globe-shaped standard incandescent bulbs within the next three years, but they may still be on shelves in stores. Until inventory is depleted, consumers will still be able to buy these bulbs.

The U.S. Phaseout of Standard Incandescent Bulbs​

Effective January 1, 2014, it became mandatory for U.S. manufacturers to cease production of 40 and 60 watt standard incandescent bulbs. This concluded the last part of the phaseout plan, with 100 watt and 75 watt standard incandescent light bulbs ceased in 2012 and 2013.
The incandescent phaseout became enacted to accomplish a higher energy efficiency standard, with LED technology trumping incandescent and CFL performance. LED light bulbs use about 80% less energy than incandescents because they produce little to no heat (which in turn, saves you a lot of money annually on your electric bill). LEDs last up to 4 times longer than CFL bulbs, and 25 times longer than your standard incandescent bulbs. They are also very durable. CFL and better incandescents like Halogen bulbs are still an option for consumers, but LEDs definitely take the win.

3-Way Light Bulbs​

3-way light bulbs are used in lamps that output three different light levels. You may have a lamp that has three different settings on one switch that produces three different levels of light (typically 30/70/100 watts or 50/100/150 watts). For example, the lowest wattage on the 3-way bulb isn’t as bright as the other two levels.

Globe-Shaped Light Bulbs​

To maintain energy efficiency, the ban also includes incandescent globe-shaped bulbs we see in some decorative lighting and bathroom lighting.

The Impact of the Expansion on the Mandate​

There will always be controversy with how the government controls consumer spending. But the mandates that the Congress has made thus far with how we purchase lighting for our homes will definitely make a positive impact on our environment. When looking at an alternative like LED bulbs, there is really no argument. LEDs contain no toxic elements. LEDs have a longer lifespan, reducing carbon emissions. LEDs use less energy, reducing the demand of power plants and greenhouse gas emissions. LEDs are safer to dispose of because they are fully recyclable and contain no mercury or glass.
Sources:
www.homedepot.com
 
annr said:
Agreed.
Click to expand...

I came across the same problem you did the last time I was shopping for lightbulbs (it had been awhile)... Everything was LED and cucked in one way or another. It just doesn't put out the same kind of light imo. I ended up begrugingly buying some led bulbs and now I just end up keeping them off when I can and open the blinds instead. I'm certain that the lighting in your home has a larger impact on your personal being than most admit.

Curious to see what you end up with, good luck :)
 
I must not be very sensitive to differences in light color. I replaced all of the light bulbs in the house about 4 years ago with LED bulbs and I’ve been blown away by their performance.

After 4 years the only bulb I’ve had to replace so far is the porch light bulb. It burns every night from dusk to dawn and it finally burned out after a little more than 3 years. When I used incandescent bulbs on the porch I had to replace that bulb every 6 weeks or so.

I’m glad I can’t tell any difference in the light colors because after using LED bulbs I wouldn’t want to go back to incandescent.
 
SwissHeritageCo said:
I came across the same problem you did the last time I was shopping for lightbulbs (it had been awhile)... Everything was LED and cucked in one way or another. It just doesn't put out the same kind of light imo. I ended up begrugingly buying some led bulbs and now I just end up keeping them off when I can and open the blinds instead. I'm certain that the lighting in your home has a larger impact on your personal being than most admit.

Curious to see what you end up with, good luck :)
Click to expand...
That's exactly what I did with that kitchen fixture--kept it turned off--and that would be my instinct with other LED lightning. When I open the shades too much, the house overheats requiring more air conditioning (energy saving:rolleyes:).

I'm glad you mentioned health effects, and I agree with you 100%. Some of the literature points to disruption of circadian rhythm by LED, and I don't want to get into debate on this--cuz I know it doesn't work for me.

It's ironic that I wrote the book on my type of work. One section is devoted to lighting because it is crucial: natural light through window, overhead light, and point or task lighting (including nice illustration of 60W incandescent bulb!). I didn't realize my book would be dated like this.
 
Railsplitter said:
I must not be very sensitive to differences in light color. I replaced all of the light bulbs in the house about 4 years ago with LED bulbs and I’ve been blown away by their performance.

After 4 years the only bulb I’ve had to replace so far is the porch light bulb. It burns every night from dusk to dawn and it finally burned out after a little more than 3 years. When I used incandescent bulbs on the porch I had to replace that bulb every 6 weeks or so.

I’m glad I can’t tell any difference in the light colors because after using LED bulbs I wouldn’t want to go back to incandescent.
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I'm glad it works for you, and I would consider LED in an outdoor light. My thought is that people should not be forced to buy particular types of light bulbs and exclude incandescent. I might save MORE energy in other ways (the purported purpose of eliminating incandescent). I don't need someone else telling me how to spend my time and money, and what works for me may not work for someone else. It's too broad a ruling for something that is part of daily living like water, air, etc., IMO.
 
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