More LED bulb options
- Thread starter signal15
- Start date
apostolakisl
Senior Member
Fortunately they are all concentrated in Austin, so they only have limited political power. Unfortunately, I live in Austin. So, here are two of my favorite stupid things.Waynedb said:
1) We built a light rail system. It has been running for about 5 years now. Hardly anyone rides it (as expected), and it went way over budget on construction (again, as expected). The operating costs per passenger are like $50 and they only charge a buck or two for a ticket depending on where you are going. Makes so much sense that they want to expand it. I know someone who voted for it, thinks it is great, she never rides it, she is from CA.
2) Plastic bags are now banned. Something about them ruining the planet. Supposedly they take 100 years to decompose and somehow they are ruining the world during those 100 years. Trust me, they only take a couple months to decompose. Every now and then I try to pick one up that has been in the sun for a few weeks and you can't. It disintegrates. And that stupid "bag monster" guy is about 99% air (hot air). If you fold the bags and roll them up it is a tiny little roll that weighs nothing. So instead, we drop our food on the way out which of course destroys it (a true waste) or use a canvas bag that we have to use detergent and water and electricity to wash, or we spill chicken juice in it that then gives us salmonella when we put veggies in it on the next trip. Oh yeah, and now I have to buy more plastic garbage bags since I no longer have the ones from the grocery store to use.
OK, those are my rants for the day.
EDIT: Sorry, this is really way not about LED's anymore is it. I actually like those and buy them because they actually do make sense. And Austin didn't even pass any laws about them. Go figure.
Dear Lou,
I regret to inform you that you are suffering from a condition called Common Sense. Although increasingly rare, this condition is thought to have a genetic component, probably exacerbated by contact with affected family and friends. Most Californians, politicians and bureaucrats have developed an immunity. A cure is unlikely, although many years of repeat doses of apathy, selfishness and arrogance does show some promise. Other than that, nothing can be done for you.
Back on LEDs - anyone had issues with the Cree A-19s used in outdoor fixtures?
I regret to inform you that you are suffering from a condition called Common Sense. Although increasingly rare, this condition is thought to have a genetic component, probably exacerbated by contact with affected family and friends. Most Californians, politicians and bureaucrats have developed an immunity. A cure is unlikely, although many years of repeat doses of apathy, selfishness and arrogance does show some promise. Other than that, nothing can be done for you.
Back on LEDs - anyone had issues with the Cree A-19s used in outdoor fixtures?
Lou - Don't worry, I'd have to move near Arlington for work as we have a large office there. No plans to ever move to Austin.
I had an issue with the Cree lamps, but I only tried one. Supposedly, if you can use two or more, they'll work better (and the compatibility chart on their site indicates you need two for many brands of dimmers). I'm thinking about trying three of them instead and seeing how that works...
I had an issue with the Cree lamps, but I only tried one. Supposedly, if you can use two or more, they'll work better (and the compatibility chart on their site indicates you need two for many brands of dimmers). I'm thinking about trying three of them instead and seeing how that works...
Lou Apo said:
I can assure you that in a game of "can you top this", California can top any state in the Union for stupid legislation and dumb voters voting for things that don't make financial sense.
I have been very happy with all the LED lighting I have tried over the last few years, some of the early stuff was crap but even the bad lights never failed on me like the dimmable CFLs have.
tmbrown97
Senior Member
For a moment I started to take offense to this, before I realized that I spent 5 years in Washington (state) and 5 years on the East Coast (MA, CT, NY) during my formative years - which is probably why that "common sense" wasn't flushed from my system! B)Mark S. said:
I like the Cree's but admittedly I don't think I have a single fixture in the house that uses individual bulbs - and I don't have a desk or table lamp in the house either. I've tried 2 to 9 on a circuit and have been pleased. That said I don't have the equipment to see what sort of inrush craziness is happening that might affect my dimmers. I'd sure love to know because I have a bathroom and a chandelier that each use 9 bulbs which could see some of the issues. As stated above though, the 60W equivs definitely don't dim enough - I'm under one right now that's as low as it goes and I'd like it to be about half this bright.
apostolakisl
Senior Member
Mark S. said:
I have 6 of them in outdoor fixtures. Of course they haven't been there for very long. The fixtures are controlled by 3 Insteon dimmers (2 bulbs per dimmer) and come on every night for a few hours. No problems. The fixtures are coach lights and water does not get in them (of course it would have to rain for that to matter anyway). It is hot around here, but they are only on at night when it is at worse in the low 90's.
My 100x voltage probe finally came so I can measure lamp voltage too. Of course, I had to buy an isolation transformer for the dimmer circuit in order to ensure I don't fry my scope, which wasn't cheap. It's pretty neat seeing instantaneous power though, e.g. p(t)=v(t)*i(t).
That said, if you send 9 Cree led's (preferably 60W, but I'll measure 40W lamps too), you can get voltage, current and instantaneous power plotted as payment for the lamps
Of course, you'd want to send the exact dimmer you're using for the most accurate results, preferably a nice dimmer you don't mind me keeping 
Right now I still have a Vizia RF+ VRI06 in the test jig I made.
That said, if you send 9 Cree led's (preferably 60W, but I'll measure 40W lamps too), you can get voltage, current and instantaneous power plotted as payment for the lamps
Of course, you'd want to send the exact dimmer you're using for the most accurate results, preferably a nice dimmer you don't mind me keeping Right now I still have a Vizia RF+ VRI06 in the test jig I made.Work2Play said:
tmbrown97
Senior Member
^_^
I'd be more likely to buy the test equipment - I love an excuse to waste money on stuff like that!
A single chandelier with 9 bulbs definitely doesn't need to be the 60W equivs - the 40W are more than enough...
I do want to learn more about this stuff - one of my clients is a microwave repair shop (microwave radios, not what you cook your dinner in) - they have loads of scopes and test equipment - I should see if they have what's needed test this - I'd love to make a rig to test these lights and switches.
I'd be more likely to buy the test equipment - I love an excuse to waste money on stuff like that!
A single chandelier with 9 bulbs definitely doesn't need to be the 60W equivs - the 40W are more than enough...
I do want to learn more about this stuff - one of my clients is a microwave repair shop (microwave radios, not what you cook your dinner in) - they have loads of scopes and test equipment - I should see if they have what's needed test this - I'd love to make a rig to test these lights and switches.
I'm totally with you. It will be a good learning opportunity. The only problem is you need $1200+ worth of equipment!?!
I'd recommend the equipment below:
-100x high voltage probe from Ponoma
-Re-wired (be sure to remove the ground to neutral strap inside) 1800w Tripp Lite medical isolation transformer (aka the isolator). You could go a few sizes down, upto you...
-Fluke i30 current probe
-Digital oscilloscope with a good sampling rate and enough memory to record the transient (inrush current). I'm using a hacked Rigol DS2072, which is the best value right now. It compares well to most $2000 scopes. It's from China, but is very well built as the youtube teardowns show, and Rigol has a US office here.
Perhaps you should look into a spectrum analyzer/scope combo (such as the new one from Tektronix)? I'd think a spectrum analyzer would be handy in your field, but I don't know what all you're doing.
I'd recommend the equipment below:
-100x high voltage probe from Ponoma
-Re-wired (be sure to remove the ground to neutral strap inside) 1800w Tripp Lite medical isolation transformer (aka the isolator). You could go a few sizes down, upto you...
-Fluke i30 current probe
-Digital oscilloscope with a good sampling rate and enough memory to record the transient (inrush current). I'm using a hacked Rigol DS2072, which is the best value right now. It compares well to most $2000 scopes. It's from China, but is very well built as the youtube teardowns show, and Rigol has a US office here.
Perhaps you should look into a spectrum analyzer/scope combo (such as the new one from Tektronix)? I'd think a spectrum analyzer would be handy in your field, but I don't know what all you're doing.
Philips is recalling 99,000 Ambient and Endura LED BUlbs.
http://publish-prod.webcms.philips.com/content/us/US-Recall/www/en/US-recall-LED-lamp.html
I checked mine and didn't have any of them.
http://publish-prod.webcms.philips.com/content/us/US-Recall/www/en/US-recall-LED-lamp.html
I checked mine and didn't have any of them.
Hello etc6849,
I'll agree that the 70 MHz Rigol DS2072 is a very nice unit. The fact that it can sample at 1 GSa/sec (dual channel) allows it to be "extended" to the equivalent of a 200 MHz scope (i.e. hacked).
You obviously have a use for this type of bandwidth which is what makes this unit a very good value at $800+. For anything that I can think of having to do with HA, it is massive overkill.
Some time back I purchased a 60 MHz Owon SDS6062 for around $325. It has many of the features of your newer Rigol (500 KSa/Sec, 10 M memory depth) but cannot be "extended" to higher bandwidths. The unit also has an optional battery (which I use extensively) and an extremely wide 400 Vp-p analog input range.
The only real downside to the Owon is it's software. I get around this by generating CSV files and interrogating with Matlab.
In truth, I would say that we both overbought for almost any HA purpose. I was diagnosed as a "tool junkie" back in the 60's when I bought my first air compressor/tools (15 yrs old). My better half has since come to terms with the fact that I will take on just about any job that will justify a new tool. Have you come to terms with your affliction?
I'll agree that the 70 MHz Rigol DS2072 is a very nice unit. The fact that it can sample at 1 GSa/sec (dual channel) allows it to be "extended" to the equivalent of a 200 MHz scope (i.e. hacked).
You obviously have a use for this type of bandwidth which is what makes this unit a very good value at $800+. For anything that I can think of having to do with HA, it is massive overkill.
Some time back I purchased a 60 MHz Owon SDS6062 for around $325. It has many of the features of your newer Rigol (500 KSa/Sec, 10 M memory depth) but cannot be "extended" to higher bandwidths. The unit also has an optional battery (which I use extensively) and an extremely wide 400 Vp-p analog input range.
The only real downside to the Owon is it's software. I get around this by generating CSV files and interrogating with Matlab.
In truth, I would say that we both overbought for almost any HA purpose. I was diagnosed as a "tool junkie" back in the 60's when I bought my first air compressor/tools (15 yrs old). My better half has since come to terms with the fact that I will take on just about any job that will justify a new tool. Have you come to terms with your affliction?
Owon isn't a bad choice for a hobbyist and certainly may have met my needs in the short-term. While the Owon scopes I've seen on youtube look to have lesser build quality, (the scope you are referring to is half the weight of the DS2072), who cares for under $350? For that price point, they may very well be the best option as I didn't look at the cheaper Rigol line.
The Rigol DS2072 has excellent build quality. If you look at the tear-down video on youtube: lots of shielding, no off brand components, etc... Very comparable in build quality to Agilent or Tektronix, but at a much lower price. They even used brass bushings instead of screwing directly into plastic. I'm not sure about the Owon as I haven't seen a detailed tear-down.
The DS2072 has some other neat features that I think are very useful:
56M points memory depth, RS232,I2C,SPI serial bus decoding functions (this is very applicable to HA and I plan to use the RS232 decoding), Ultravision (allows variable persistence and 256 level graded intensity for waveform display), 2GSa/S for one channel, excellent build quality, advanced triggering options, etc...
If I was doing debugging professionally, I'd insist on some technology such as Ultravision as it leaves intermittent transients on the screen much longer so you're less likely to miss a glitch. Better sample rate also helps with trying to find a glitch too.
For those curious about the Rigol DS2072, here's a good summary of features: http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDS2072.html
You are right about the price. It was $788 with the 6% eevblog discount and free shipping. Well worth it IMHO, but I'm an EE and plan to use it for other stuff.
As for the tool affliction, no comment However, I will say that a majority of my tools I have (aside from the Rigol stuff) are worth more now than what I paid. Tool prices only seem to go up with time, and I tend to only buy European or US made, and use coupons/sales/craigslist/ebay when I can. I also do my own HVAC, electrical, electronics, automotive, carpentry and plumbing repairs, so my tools have paid for themselves several times already.
The Rigol is one of the few tools I have that is made in China, but I can honestly say it is nicely made. Even the UI is very responsive and works great. Not to mention the free software (found on eevblog.com) that can even do 3D plots, etc...
The Rigol DS2072 has excellent build quality. If you look at the tear-down video on youtube: lots of shielding, no off brand components, etc... Very comparable in build quality to Agilent or Tektronix, but at a much lower price. They even used brass bushings instead of screwing directly into plastic. I'm not sure about the Owon as I haven't seen a detailed tear-down.
The DS2072 has some other neat features that I think are very useful:
56M points memory depth, RS232,I2C,SPI serial bus decoding functions (this is very applicable to HA and I plan to use the RS232 decoding), Ultravision (allows variable persistence and 256 level graded intensity for waveform display), 2GSa/S for one channel, excellent build quality, advanced triggering options, etc...
If I was doing debugging professionally, I'd insist on some technology such as Ultravision as it leaves intermittent transients on the screen much longer so you're less likely to miss a glitch. Better sample rate also helps with trying to find a glitch too.
For those curious about the Rigol DS2072, here's a good summary of features: http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDS2072.html
You are right about the price. It was $788 with the 6% eevblog discount and free shipping. Well worth it IMHO, but I'm an EE and plan to use it for other stuff.
As for the tool affliction, no comment
However, I will say that a majority of my tools I have (aside from the Rigol stuff) are worth more now than what I paid. Tool prices only seem to go up with time, and I tend to only buy European or US made, and use coupons/sales/craigslist/ebay when I can. I also do my own HVAC, electrical, electronics, automotive, carpentry and plumbing repairs, so my tools have paid for themselves several times already.The Rigol is one of the few tools I have that is made in China, but I can honestly say it is nicely made. Even the UI is very responsive and works great. Not to mention the free software (found on eevblog.com) that can even do 3D plots, etc...
