Ask me anything about Light Bulbs!

[mrcantrell]

Where can I buy a G25 base bulb that is more than 60 watts? All the stores I've checked carry either a 40w or 60w and I'd like something brighter like 100 watts. Thanks!

There is no such thing as a G25 base. Are you looking for a G25 bulb? If so, they typically aren't made larger than 60 watts, and pretty soon won't be made in 60 watt either due to legislative changes in the US.

[mrcantrell]

Is it so bad that I put a 75W bulb in a "max 50W" housing? Will the heat really cause a fire concern?

Yes, don't do it. Think about it this way, you are talking about putting 150% of the heat that the socket is rated for on it. Very bad idea, but at least make sure your home owners insurance is up to date first.

[mrcantrell]

Not trying to be lazy but how can one tell whether one's halogen bulb/lighting is 12 or 120V?

I'm going to pull one bulb out tonight but was wondering how I can tell whether there is a step down transformer in each recess.

TIA to Mr. Cantrell or to anyone else who knows.

What type of bulb is it? Usually it's printed on the bulb itself somewhere, but if we're still talking about MR16s it's 12V. You can't see the transformer on a good installation.

[alanbrenton]

What type of bulb is it? Usually it's printed on the bulb itself somewhere, but if we're still talking about MR16s it's 12V. You can't see the transformer on a good installation.

Regular looking halogen MR16 bulbs with GU 5.3 base (two pin type). I'll check it out later. It's just that I found some sites selling MR16 120V which led me to this confusion whether or not mine are 12V.

EDIT: Confirmed with the electrician that they are 120V. Am I out of luck then since most MR16 LED lights are 12V?

[pennywize]

I have about 22 pot lights on my main level and they are 50 watts each. All dimmable.

Turning them all on full blast would suck up a lot of electricity. Are there any good energy efficient CLF bulbs out there? Or should I go the LED route? LED seems a bit pricey right now..not sure if it's worth it.

[mrcantrell]

Regular looking halogen MR16 bulbs with GU 5.3 base (two pin type). I'll check it out later. It's just that I found some sites selling MR16 120V which led me to this confusion whether or not mine are 12V.

EDIT: Confirmed with the electrician that they are 120V. Am I out of luck then since most MR16 LED lights are 12V?

Double check the bulb itself, this really doesn't make much sense to me. You want to be careful because if you put in the wrong voltage bulb you could cause an explosion.

[enigma54]

There is no such thing as a G25 base. Are you looking for a G25 bulb? If so, they typically aren't made larger than 60 watts, and pretty soon won't be made in 60 watt either due to legislative changes in the US.

Yes you're right. I've been using a g25 bulb but when I look at the socket for my light fixture (Random Mooi), it says "Max 100W E26 Type G Bulb". So I've been searching all over the place for something brighter than a g25 60W bulb without any luck. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[mrcantrell]

I have about 22 pot lights on my main level and they are 50 watts each. All dimmable.

Turning them all on full blast would suck up a lot of electricity. Are there any good energy efficient CLF bulbs out there? Or should I go the LED route? LED seems a bit pricey right now..not sure if it's worth it.

If you have halogen bulbs in there currently don't worry about it, you're doing the best you can. Reflector style CFLs tend to have a long warm up time that people don't like, and LEDs are very expensive, especially for 22 of them.

[mrcantrell]

Yes you're right. I've been using a g25 bulb but when I look at the socket for my light fixture (Random Mooi), it says "Max 100W E26 Type G Bulb". So I've been searching all over the place for something brighter than a g25 60W bulb without any luck. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Your best bet is to look for 'Daylight' or 'Reveal' bulbs. They have a higher colour temperature that helps them appear brighter.

[goofball]

Not that I have seen. I honestly think this is one of the reasons why reflector style CFLs aren't more popular.

Thanks, the Philips are not bad once they warm up, it is the warm up time and the colour during cold that throws me off. Might give them a try to see how it goes at first.

[alanbrenton]

Double check the bulb itself, this really doesn't make much sense to me. You want to be careful because if you put in the wrong voltage bulb you could cause an explosion.

Just checked a few more, this time in the family room, and can confirm that they are 120V though they are the screw base type instead of the GU 5.3 I found in the dining room. I hope the bulbs around the house are limited to these two classes!

Any relatively inexpensive MR16 LED screw type recommendations? I'll probably just use them for two to three rooms.

[mrcantrell]

Just checked a few more, this time in the family room, and can confirm that they are 120V though they are the screw base type instead of the GU 5.3 I found in the dining room. I hope the bulbs around the house are limited to these two classes!

Any relatively inexpensive MR16 LED screw type recommendations? I'll probably just use them for two to three rooms.

I had a feeling that might be the case. Anything in LED that is even close to decent is nowhere near 'relatively inexpensive', and you sure don't want something that isn't decent.

[B0000rt]

Seem to have for my undercabinet lighting a bunch of Xelogen Wedge base 12v 18w bulbs.. Are there any decent LED replacements for these?

[CF77]

Okay, then why this particular bulb? Personally I'd say if you don't know who makes the LEDs or the electronics skip it.

better light than any other design.

[mrcantrell]

Seem to have for my undercabinet lighting a bunch of Xelogen Wedge base 12v 18w bulbs.. Are there any decent LED replacements for these?

No