jdieter
Well-known member
Do edison base cfl's have the same starting issues that regular flourescents have in cold weather locations ? I have to use VHO lamps and ballasts in my unheated storage barn so they will light in freezing weather.
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CFl's in cold weather
- Thread starter jdieter
- Start date
IDASHO
Well-known member
My cheap 250watt equiv CFLs do fine in freezing temps. A bit slow to fire, but they do within a couple of minutes. Then it takes upwards of 10 minutes or so for them to reach full brightness.
This is in a full insulated and finished garage though, 14 ft ceiling. It might be below freezing outside, or even 6' off the ground in the shop where the thermometer is, but it is probably much warmer than that right up near the ceiling.
This is in a full insulated and finished garage though, 14 ft ceiling. It might be below freezing outside, or even 6' off the ground in the shop where the thermometer is, but it is probably much warmer than that right up near the ceiling.
Gary S
Well-known member
The CFLs have different temperature ratings just like the florescent tubes. Buy yours based on the temperatures you need. The temperature ratings are on the packages.
Expect the standard indoor ones to have a poor low temperature ratings. Many of the CFLs built for outdoor use will be rated for much lower temperatures.
I run florescent lights outside on my house and garage on dusk to dawn photocells, and they light reliably for me every night at temperatures as low as -20 degrees F, and once lit, they work during the night as low as -44 F.
Expect the standard indoor ones to have a poor low temperature ratings. Many of the CFLs built for outdoor use will be rated for much lower temperatures.
I run florescent lights outside on my house and garage on dusk to dawn photocells, and they light reliably for me every night at temperatures as low as -20 degrees F, and once lit, they work during the night as low as -44 F.
nehog
Well-known member
When it gets cold, my CFLs on the outside come on almost instantly, but are quite dim. Within a minute or so they brighten up a reasonable amount (and the enclosure is enclosed, not sure if that helps).
So in the winter I do try to turn them on before needed, but if not it is still enough light so someone doesn't fall on their can getting to the house.
So in the winter I do try to turn them on before needed, but if not it is still enough light so someone doesn't fall on their can getting to the house.
787B
Well-known member
The 14 Watt (60 W equiv.) "instant-on" CFL's I just bought at the Big Box store for $0.50 each (power company subsidized) say right on the box they are good down to -20° F. My experience is every year the CFL's start a little faster and reach full brightness a little faster. I use pairs in my unheated garage to give me 120 W worth of light for 28 W and $1. No issues starting during the Winter.
So to answer your question: No, I don't think the recent Edison-base CFL's have significant starting issues in freezing weather.
So to answer your question: No, I don't think the recent Edison-base CFL's have significant starting issues in freezing weather.
I run florescent lights outside on my house and garage on dusk to dawn photocells, and they light reliably for me every night at temperatures as low as -20 degrees F, and once lit, they work during the night as low as -44 F.
Gary... this is what I was needing to know. I am looking to run my lights in my garage this weekend. Was thinking that I was going to run two different types of lights to "cover" for the flourescents possibly not firing in the negative temps. Was going to put in 4 socket lights for CFl's or bulbs on one circuit so that I could guarantee that I would get some light when I threw the switch in the cold. BUT, from what you are saying, I can run some T8's and they should be fine into the negative temps...
.... would you say that's correct?
Anyone else have some feedback as to whether or not I should run two types of lights for this purpose?
dankicksass
Well-known member
I swapped out the 17W CFLs in my garage for 65W (300W equivalent) CFLs from Home Depot this week with a little help from Bolster and the good folks at OSH. It's down to 45 degrees outside and they take a few minutes to warm up, much longer than the little ones, but I don't mind. The output is great once they're on a couple of minutes. I've never had any trouble with CFLs outside in the winter.
Gary S
Well-known member
BUT, from what you are saying, I can run some T8's and they should be fine into the negative temps...
.... would you say that's correct?
Check the temperature ratings. The 4' T8 tubes in my garage are rated only to 0 degrees F. Menards sells 8' HO fixtures and tubes that are rated to -20 F.
The outdoor dusk to dawn lights I have are rated to about -20 F and work reliably at that temp.
Many CFLs have ratings only around +20 F, but I've found some CFL outdoor floods that are rated to about -15 F.
There are so many different ones available today that you want to take the time to read the package before you buy your lamps and fixtures.
There will be something that works at your expected temperatures, but not all will.