Outdoor rated CFL recommendation

[aka Larry]

In our neighborhood most of us leave our lights outside the garage on for security. Since I didn’t want to have to remember to turn them on and off every day and night, I installed an in-wall timer in lieu of one the wall switches right after we bought the house. We switched all the bulbs inside to CFL’s right away, but those were not compatible with the in-wall timer so I was using halogen post-type in the fixtures outside the garage.

The timer worked great, other than having to reset it for time changes twice a year. The “2-year” halogen bulbs however never lasted more than 6-months so I was constantly replacing one or the other in the pair. Since LED’s and HIDs I’ve become a light color snob and I like the look of certain one’s. The halogens don’t last long enough and don’t produce the color of light I prefer.

Fast forward to this past week and I noticed both lights outside the attached garage were out. I was ready to change the bulbs yet again when I noticed the timer itself was finally dead. I took this as an opportunity to upgrade using CFL’s in the color that I like. I went to Lowes and bought two screw-in type photocells and two 6500K CFL’s for about $38. I went home and installed them right away. The color difference is dramatic and the overall light output is better as well.

So after installing the new cool-looking CFL’s on the house, my eyes turned to the shop. I was looking at it thinking “I swear those new CFL’s are brighter than the metal halide’s on the shop”. Yesterday I decided to buy another pair and if I was wrong I’d have a spare set for the house so I wouldn’t just be wasting money. I got home last night, swapped them out, and I was right, the CFL’s were brighter. The metal halide bulbs are rated at 70W and consume that same 70W. The new CFL’s are rated at 100W and consume only 23W. Less energy consumption, more light, better looks = winning!

OK, so I'm totally happy with my new lights, but there is a catch. All of the CFL's I just purchased are rated for INDOOR use only. Yes, I knew this when I bought them, but I figured I give them a try. The reason I didn't get outdoor rated ones was because Lowes didn't have those in my color choice (6500K). The ones on the shop lasted less than a week. BTW, the ones on the attached garage are still working.

Can you guys recommend a CFL rated for 100W output for OUTDOOR? I'm looking for an on-line source and links would be nice.

Thanks!

 

[Teken]

aka Larry,

Is there a reason they need to be outdoor rated? As I envision once you turn them on all night they will be at full operating temperature.

Isn't that OK?

Teken . . .

 

[aka Larry]

aka Larry,

Is there a reason they need to be outdoor rated? As I envision once you turn them on all night they will be at full operating temperature.

Isn't that OK?

Teken . . .

My thinking was as long as they were shielded from rain the indoor-rated ones would be OK, but since they only lasted a week I guess not.

 

[Teken]

My thinking was as long as they were shielded from rain the indoor-rated ones would be OK, but since they only lasted a week I guess not.

Are they not in a enclosure?



Teken . . .

 

[aka Larry]

Yes, the bulb is enclosed. This is the fixture.

After reading a little future it seems this fixture actually has a ballast so maybe I can't use a CFL of any type...period?

 

[Teken]

I can't comment on the ballast portion. But, given that type of enclosure using a LED, CFL, which is left on all night would be fine. It would be the instantaneous start up where the bulb would need to warm up to produce a bright light that would be an issue.

But, since its well protected, and left on all night its really not an issue. I initially used a indoor 100 watt CFL for my use. Where I live it gets as cold as -45'C, and averages -25'C all winter long.

I have never had an issue and the same bulbs were in place for the last 3.5 years with out an issue. I have just recently changed them all out for LED as they are part of my Home Automation system and will strobe on / off if there is a condition that warrant them to be turned on.

The intent is to alert those which house is in distress and needs help. Looks super cool and get the attention of lots of folks.

Teken . . .

 

[nehog]

I'll only say that the CFL at our back door, in an enclosed fixture, has lasted about 3 years so far. We don't use it every day, just when needed.

The fixture referenced in the above link is HID and can only use an HID bulb. (They are not halogen bulbs.)

I'd recommend LED lighting, check some out for different color temperatures. I really like the new LED lights I have in the carport. Makes putting the snow plow on my truck quick and easy now.

 

[aka Larry]

The fixture referenced in the above link is HID and can only use an HID bulb. (They are not halogen bulbs.)

The fixture came with a metal halide bulb, but somehow the CFL's are brighter.

Can I remove the HID ballast and re-wire the socket direct so I can use the CFLs?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes, the bulb is enclosed. This is the fixture.

After reading a little future it seems this fixture actually has a ballast so maybe I can't use a CFL of any type...period?

If the fixture has a ballast built in, then NO u cant use any bulb, especially a self ballasted CFL(the ballast in a screw in type CFL is in the base). This is just the reason your CFLs are dying prematurely.

As far as rewiring the fixture, u would have to take it apart and see if it can be rewired without the ballast. Of course, this would negate the U/L listing, so u better hope it doesnt cause a fire as an insurance adjuster might deny a claim based on a tampered fixture!

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have used CFL outside (flood light) and in unheated garage for several years now with no issues.

When the temperature drops below about 50, there is a bit of a warm time on the flood. When it drops down to around ZERO, the warm up time to full brightness is 1-2 minutes.

I can't say I have seen that kind of warm up time delay on standard CFLs or T8s even at zero.


Tip : On all screw in bulbs used in outdoor fixtures, apply a thin coat of of silicon dielectric grease to the threads. You will be glad you did when you have to change the bulb next time.

 

[Gary S]

I bought cheap outdoor fixtures with CFLs and photocells when I built my garage 9 years ago. They work very well even with my winter temperatures during that time down to -44°

In the 9 years they have been running, I have replaced bulbs in 2 of the 3 fixtures. The other one is still the original.
So, I in that 9 years, I have had CFL lamps that went.
1. 5,000 hours
2. 15,000 hours
3. 30,000 hours
4. 40,000 hours
5. 45,000 hours

This isn't bad for cheap CFLs that have to start up in the winter each night some days at temperatures of -20° F and stay lit to -44° degrees at night and in the summer deal with temperatures up over 100 degrees.

 

[nehog]

The fixture came with a metal halide bulb, but somehow the CFL's are brighter.

Can I remove the HID ballast and re-wire the socket direct so I can use the CFLs?

Yes, you can. In fact the lamp I have my outdoor CFL in was originally a LP Sodium lamp. I cut out the ballast and re-wired it for CFL.

 

[aka Larry]

Yes, you can. In fact the lamp I have my outdoor CFL in was originally a LP Sodium lamp. I cut out the ballast and re-wired it for CFL.

I went home today and removed the ballast and starter and rewired it keeping the photocell. Everything is working fine again.

Thanks for the info guys!