Gallery of Lights

The Site => General discussion => Topic started by: Keyless on April 10, 2014, 11:08:16 AM

Title: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Keyless on April 10, 2014, 11:08:16 AM
Does anyone know of a good quality manufacturer of 220-240 volt incandescent light bulbs? Im thinking of stocking up on them before the ban deepens. All of the good quality manufacturers like Aerro tech only seem to make 120 volt lamps. I did find some 277 volt ones on the net made by Sylvania, but no clue on the quality.     
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Mike on April 10, 2014, 01:36:32 PM
not sure what wattages you're looking for, but here's  100W lamps,  (http://www.bulbs.com/espec.aspx?ID=18055&RefId=14)  75W lamps,  (http://www.bulbs.com/espec.aspx?ID=23235&RefId=14)  60W lamps,  (http://www.bulbs.com/espec.aspx?ID=8916&RefId=14)  40W lamps,  (http://www.bulbs.com/espec.aspx?ID=8850&RefId=14)  and 25W lamps.  (http://www.bulbs.com/espec.aspx?ID=13706&RefId=14)

They're pretty cheap and probably decent quality. If you're stocking up on a bunch of them all that really matters is the price.
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Keyless on April 10, 2014, 06:41:24 PM
Thanks!  ;D

Im looking for mostly 100 and 75 watt versions. I found one company called Norman lamps that makes them, though Im wondering if the quality stands up to Sylvania.   
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Mike on April 10, 2014, 07:49:00 PM
To be honest, I don't think the manufacturer has an impact on incandescent lamp quaility. I think it's all on how the filament is supported. Some lamps have vertical filaments that are unsupported becuase they're the most efficient but if you give the lamp a stong enough whack that filament is going to break. Rough service lamps have the toughest filaments so are the best quality but they're less efficient because of that.

I've had vertical unsupported Sylvania lamps that didn't last long at all and have gotten a few years out of store brand lamps. It's all about the filament support, although if you operate the lamp vertical, base up, you'll get the longest life out of your lamps. Horizontally oriented incandescents don't last as long what whatever reason. They just seem to hold up better running vertically.
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Keyless on April 11, 2014, 08:12:12 AM
Thanks!  :) Good point, I hadnt thought about the filament support. I have noticed C-7 and C-9 lamps last longer over C/CC-6 and CC-8 lamps. All the rough service bulbs had the prior. More heat loss over a stretched and supported filament but less evaporation from the coil running cooler.


My point on quality is that Ive seen it vary a lot. For example Hungary made GE lamps and USA made Sylvania lamps have all outlasted the rated life, but the lesser quality Chinese bulbs have either burnt out prematurely and some have pulled off the infamous screw shell to remain in the socket :8) The thing is I have no experience with 230 volt bulbs. I did however find Osram, that is a mainstream maker for the rest of the world and Europe before the dreaded ban. Is Osram worth it to those who are familiar with their lamps?         



   
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Mike on April 11, 2014, 04:06:11 PM
I don't have any experience with 240V incandescents either, just 120V (and 130V). I know, incandescent quality can vary some. :( The GE Reveals my parents had bought are TERRIBLE! I think they're made in China... GE's halogens suck too. We have some in the basement and they were installed end end of 2012/beginning of 2013 and they've DIMMED! I bought 75W equivalent lamps and one has dimmed to about a 60W lamp (which is what it replaced) and the other was so dim i replaced it with a standard 60W incandescent. IT had to have been dimmer than a 40W lamp!

I always try to buy Sylvania now since they seem to have the least issues. GE's linear fluorecent tubes are pretty good though. BTW, ORSRAM and Sylvania are the same company. They merged as one in 1994. OSRAM is a UK-based company wereas Sylvania is mostly a North American company but it's all one now.
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Keyless on April 16, 2014, 10:04:48 PM
I don't have any experience with 240V incandescents either, just 120V (and 130V). I know, incandescent quality can vary some. :( The GE Reveals my parents had bought are TERRIBLE! I think they're made in China... GE's halogens suck too. We have some in the basement and they were installed end end of 2012/beginning of 2013 and they've DIMMED! I bought 75W equivalent lamps and one has dimmed to about a 60W lamp (which is what it replaced) and the other was so dim i replaced it with a standard 60W incandescent. IT had to have been dimmer than a 40W lamp!

I always try to buy Sylvania now since they seem to have the least issues. GE's linear fluorecent tubes are pretty good though. BTW, ORSRAM and Sylvania are the same company. They merged as one in 1994. OSRAM is a UK-based company wereas Sylvania is mostly a North American company but it's all one now.

My experience is always stay away from GE or any Chinese made bulb. However, ironically, GEs Hungarian made bulbs have outperformed themselves. The thing that I noticed was some of the 230 volt bulbs were made in China, a big turn off for me :( I will see if I can get Osram over Statco. How are Norman lamps, in case you have tried them? I would imagine their 120 volt lamp quality would be similar in the high volt ones.   
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Mike on April 21, 2014, 03:45:38 PM
Sorry for the late reply. I didn't catch your reply til now. I haven't heard of Norman lamps unfortunately. :-\ Yeah I heard great things about the Hungarian GE lamps. I think even the Mexican GE incandescents were decent but the Chinese ones are terrible.
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Keyless on April 29, 2014, 12:10:25 PM
Sorry for the late reply. I didn't catch your reply til now. I haven't heard of Norman lamps unfortunately. :-\ Yeah I heard great things about the Hungarian GE lamps. I think even the Mexican GE incandescents were decent but the Chinese ones are terrible.


Its ok! Dont worry about it. I get busy to and end up doing the same thing.

These are the lamps. Im not familiar with Norman either but they are another non major bulb maker. They look well made: 

http://www.normanlamps.com/index.php/cPath/480_481


And yup! Hungarian GEs are the best bulbs GE ever made IMO. I still have 1000 and 2000 hr rated Hungarian GEs going strong over several years old with frequent use. I swear the life time is well over what the box says!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Mike on April 29, 2014, 06:21:02 PM
OH actually I have heard of them. They don't make lamps they just distribute them. At one point they sold name brand GE, Sylvania, Eye, and Philips products, not sure if they still do...
Title: Re: 230 volt light bulbs?
Post by: Keyless on April 30, 2014, 01:10:27 AM
OH actually I have heard of them. They don't make lamps they just distribute them. At one point they sold name brand GE, Sylvania, Eye, and Philips products, not sure if they still do...

Thanks for letting me know. I thought they made bulbs, but I guess its one of those companies that just puts their name on them. 

I looked at the sight and it doesn't appear that they carry the big brands. Would be nice though.