good screw-in style light sensor or dusk to dawn bulb?

I’ve been through 3 screw in adapters, so far.   The only one that worked somewhat acceptably, was also limited to incandescent.  I prefer to use a CFL.   Before i go buy a wire-in light sensor and wire it/mount it (time i don’t really have for at least another month – work schedule too hectic)  i’m wondering if anyone has found a decent one in their travels.    This is for a down-facing light, above the front door of a brownstone.

Goatcrapp

in Lighting 13 years and 6 months ago

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needmtg | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Yeah, I discovered that with diligent noodling on the web (and my own knowledge.) What I’ve done in 2 places is to add a 15w incadescent bulb which bleeds the current away from the CFLs. Same for timers (need current to keep the clock ticking.) The wired-in ones need  a neutral which is not always available in the box. And of course, plug-in timers are safe for CFLs.

Arkady | 13 years and 6 months ago

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cmu – That’s really interesting.  I’ve wondered why the warnings about using w/ timers.

Goatcrapp | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Thanks for all the suggestions. To answer:  I have no problem with using an LED – know any that are outdoor suitable, that aren’t spot-lights?  The only outdoor ones i’ve seen are floods or spots, and the quality of light just isn’t there..  i don’t want some blue beacon.  The only warm light ones i’ve liked are the philips “yellows” – and for the most part they aren’t half the wattage of a CFL – they’re about the same, per lumen. I’m using philips LED (the funky looking yellow ones) indoors already, and enjoy them, but i’m now sure how they would hold up to outside humidity/ in freezing temps. CFL is cheaper to experiment with, in this case.  If someone has a good experience with an outdoor  omnidirection (or nearly) LED – i’d be open to that suggestion too. I know CFL’s aren’t outdoors rated either, but they are much cheaper to experiment with.  I’ll look into a dimmable cfl, or the LED idea.  FYI – the philips LED is 24.95 at home depot (cheapest i’ve seen from any major chain, including amazon) for a 12.5W/800 lumens bulb and the quality of light, and color is great.  no halo/haze off the source, and a consistent color temp, etc… Don’t want to keep using incandescent.   Not because of some go green movement, or to save the $3.40 a year, but because they blow out too often, (even tough duty bulbs last maybe 6 months with 12 hours on/off (or just left on 24/7 for a few months when my busy season hits, and i work 7 days/week)  and i’m too busy to want to think about that as one of the million other things i need to consider, with two rental properties (and a day-job running my company)   Thanks, all!

pigthree | 13 years and 6 months ago

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or just use an incandescent

shahnandersen

in Lighting 13 years and 6 months ago

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Bite the bullet and get a LED bulb to go with your workable adapter.  Probably cost about $40 but it will use half the energy of the CFL and you will never have to replace it.  It will work anywhere an incandescent will.

needmtg | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Most CFL’s will soon fail with a sensor because there’s a constant tiny current draw through the bulb (incadescent’s don’t mind). Try a dimmable CFL (even though you’re not using its dimmability); that is more forgiving. Be aware that even with a wire-in, unless it has a neutral connection, you’ll have the same problem with a CFL.

deano | 13 years and 6 months ago

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just did this with a home depot one, simplest & smallest that was marked for CFLs – maybe 7 bucks?   It worked like a champ with just a bare bulb.  then i found a frosted glass enclosure for the bulb; understandably the poor thing got confused and started phasing on and off for 30 seconds at a time.