Gutted Halogen = Retrofit LED fixture Franken-lamp is born. - Page 2

Mobile Master Tech · 06-06-13, 09:04 AM

I have those Cree bulbs, too. They are omnidirectional and have a very warm, slightly yellowish color like a traditional incandescent dimmed almost imperceptibly below full power. Those are my favorite for intimate lighting.

My favorite bang-for-the-buck-bulbs (also dimmable) are THESE Feit Electric bulbs from Costco. They are cheaper in the store, $19.99 for a 3 pack, than on the website. They are 3000k, omnidirectional, and have a white, neutral hue with no blueishness.

I have tried several types from Ebay and have been disappointed by most of them.

What we need to push manufacturers to do is make reasonable output/reasonable price candelabra (E11) base bulbs. The cheapest I've seen were $10 and put out only 200 lumens or so.

Nice retrofit, where2!

Craig

Daox · 07-15-13, 10:32 AM

Now that you've been using this a while, do you have any additional comments or anything new to share on it?

where2 · 07-18-13, 09:53 PM

Still running strong. My wife uses it regularly... No complaints.

I agree with MMT someone needs to make an LED bulb with a candelabra base with 600-800 lumen output. I need to replace a bulb in my hunter ceiling fan. One of the two CFL's recently burned out. I tossed a 40W (equivalent) CFL in it because I had one, but I'd rather have LEDs. The 40W (equivalent) CFL is rather dim. The previous bulb was a 60W (equivalent) CFL, and I miss the missing lumens. I've also got a yard light with three Incandescent bulbs in it. Two of the three bulbs have burned out, and I will guinea pig that fixture if someone would make a candelabra base with reasonable lumen output.

ELGo · 08-09-13, 08:23 AM

Where2

I'm not sure I would ever want that much light from one fixture, but I sure appreciate the retrofit. I'd like to see a schematic of the wiring; it will help me learn to be a semi-incompetent home DIY electrician, instead of the hopelessly incompetent one I am now.

basjoos · 08-09-13, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by where2

There is a concern about the wiring end of the bulb socket where you could potentially shock yourself, but I'll address that with some heat shrink tubing one of these days.

You can use one of those liquid electrical tape materials to cover the exposed wiring. Its a "liquid rubber" type fluid that you paint onto the wires, dries in a few hours and saves you having to desolder the wires to slip the shrink tubing onto them.

where2 · 08-09-13, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELGo

I'd like to see a schematic of the wiring; it will help me learn to be a semi-incompetent home DIY electrician, instead of the hopelessly incompetent one I am now.

Used book stores and thrift stores usually have some quality books on the subject of home electrical wiring. Time Life books published one called "Basic Wiring". I have a copy, and I recommend it. I'll be happy to keep my eye out for a decent book for you, if you'd like. I usually don't pay more than $5 for a used book. Some of my favorite DIY books on electrical subjects were written in the 1970's-1980's before everything became disposable.

On the Franken-lamp, as with all edison based lamps, the "hot" wire goes to the tab for contact at the tip of the bulb, the "neutral" wire goes to the threaded ring along the side of the bulb. I used my $5 harbor freight digital multimeter to verify continuity from the male wall plug to the top of the fixture to determine proper polarity.

Thanks to Bajoos: the liquid electrical tape was a perfect solution to my exposed terminal screws.

ELGo · 08-10-13, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by where2

Used book stores and thrift stores usually have some quality books on the subject of home electrical wiring. Time Life books published one called "Basic Wiring". I have a copy, and I recommend it.

Thanks for the tip, I'll look for it.

Daox · 09-10-13, 11:50 AM

I know I'm digging this one up a little bit. I'd like to write this up for the blog. Do you remember how much the conversion (edison bases and bulbs) cost? Also, any additional pictures would be great!

where2 · 09-17-13, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daox

I know I'm digging this one up a little bit. I'd like to write this up for the blog. Do you remember how much the conversion (edison bases and bulbs) cost?

Edison sockets were about $3.00 each (Lowes), Bulbs were $12.97 each(Home Depot). Also used about 15" of "lamp cord", two wire nuts and four crimp terminals. I don't think I have any other photos.

wuck · 04-18-14, 10:39 AM

The CREE lamps are now under $10 at the big box (both 40W and 60W equivalent).

I picked up 6 of the 40 W replacement (450 lumen @6 W) a few days ago, and when she wasn't looking, installed them into a couple of fixtures where "She Who Dislikes CFL" enjoys basking in the incandescent glow.

She hasn't noticed, and now I'm basking in the drop from 200 to 36 watts

Pat

06-06-13, 09:04 AM	#11
Mobile Master Tech Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 142 Thanks: 38 Thanked 41 Times in 34 Posts	I have those Cree bulbs, too. They are omnidirectional and have a very warm, slightly yellowish color like a traditional incandescent dimmed almost imperceptibly below full power. Those are my favorite for intimate lighting. My favorite bang-for-the-buck-bulbs (also dimmable) are THESE Feit Electric bulbs from Costco. They are cheaper in the store, $19.99 for a 3 pack, than on the website. They are 3000k, omnidirectional, and have a white, neutral hue with no blueishness. I have tried several types from Ebay and have been disappointed by most of them. What we need to push manufacturers to do is make reasonable output/reasonable price candelabra (E11) base bulbs. The cheapest I've seen were $10 and put out only 200 lumens or so. Nice retrofit, where2! Craig __________________ "I‘d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don‘t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that." Thomas Edison, 1847 — 1931

07-15-13, 10:32 AM	#12
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Now that you've been using this a while, do you have any additional comments or anything new to share on it? __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-10-13, 11:50 AM	#18
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I know I'm digging this one up a little bit. I'd like to write this up for the blog. Do you remember how much the conversion (edison bases and bulbs) cost? Also, any additional pictures would be great! __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-18-13, 09:53 PM	#13
where2 DIY Geek Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 401 Thanks: 74 Thanked 83 Times in 73 Posts	Still running strong. My wife uses it regularly... No complaints. I agree with MMT someone needs to make an LED bulb with a candelabra base with 600-800 lumen output. I need to replace a bulb in my hunter ceiling fan. One of the two CFL's recently burned out. I tossed a 40W (equivalent) CFL in it because I had one, but I'd rather have LEDs. The 40W (equivalent) CFL is rather dim. The previous bulb was a 60W (equivalent) CFL, and I miss the missing lumens. I've also got a yard light with three Incandescent bulbs in it. Two of the three bulbs have burned out, and I will guinea pig that fixture if someone would make a candelabra base with reasonable lumen output.

08-09-13, 08:23 AM	#14
ELGo Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 66 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Where2 I'm not sure I would ever want that much light from one fixture, but I sure appreciate the retrofit. I'd like to see a schematic of the wiring; it will help me learn to be a semi-incompetent home DIY electrician, instead of the hopelessly incompetent one I am now.

04-18-14, 10:39 AM	#20
wuck Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Sonoma County NorCal Posts: 32 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	The CREE lamps are now under $10 at the big box (both 40W and 60W equivalent). I picked up 6 of the 40 W replacement (450 lumen @6 W) a few days ago, and when she wasn't looking, installed them into a couple of fixtures where "She Who Dislikes CFL" enjoys basking in the incandescent glow. She hasn't noticed, and now I'm basking in the drop from 200 to 36 watts Pat