Light bulb question

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winger

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I'm putting this in miscellaneous 'cause it's a darkroom related question, but a mod may move it if they think it fits better elsewhere.
I have a regular light in my darkroom that just blew the other day. It was a 100W one and I don't have any more and can't get one. Of the brighter replacements out there, which ones turn off the fastest and how long do they take? The boxes only mention if they turn on instantly. I don't really want to stand around for 10 minutes to wait for the light to be completely off. I tried using a 60W, but it isn't really bright enough 'cause it has to cover the whole room.
 

BrianShaw

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I'm putting this in miscellaneous 'cause it's a darkroom related question, but a mod may move it if they think it fits better elsewhere.
I have a regular light in my darkroom that just blew the other day. It was a 100W one and I don't have any more and can't get one. Of the brighter replacements out there, which ones turn off the fastest and how long do they take? The boxes only mention if they turn on instantly. I don't really want to stand around for 10 minutes to wait for the light to be completely off. I tried using a 60W, but it isn't really bright enough 'cause it has to cover the whole room.

You talking about compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs not regular tungsten bulbs, right?
 

Truzi

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Use two 60-watt bulbs :smile:

You may be able to find some "special use" incandescents that are not prohibited under the new rules. Outdoor floods, "rough duty" lights for mechanics, etc.
 

Bill Burk

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I had same problem. What was a 100-watt halogen before, I replaced with a 72-watt Halogen Reveal bulb.
 
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winger

winger

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I would use two 60Ws, but there's only one socket.
Yes, I can't buy incandescents in 100W, so looking at the halogens, LEDs, and whatever else they have at Lowes/Home Despot. I just can't tell which ones will turn off quickly and not expose my film if I'm loading holders, etc...
 

MattKing

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The halogens and LEDs will be fine - they don't illuminate after they are turned off.

Fluorescents are potentially the source of problems.
 

mr rusty

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Check out 100W "rough service" bulbs on that well known auction site. Same old incandescents, repackaged.
 
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winger

winger

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Bethe- Would something like this work for you? You can use 2 60 watt bulbs.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055TCY46
If I can't find some "rough service" 100W ones, that might work. I may try some LEDs first.
Thanks!

Tom, are those non-smiley faces your opinion on the whole light bulb thing? Mine, too. But I think we're all preaching to the choir here on that one.
 

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ChuckP

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I also use 100w in the darkroom. You can still get 100w bulbs at some places. I just got some last week at a local hardware store. Some off brand but they had a bunch in stock. I looked on Amazon and they still had some in a 48 bulbs package. A lifetime supply. Checkout someplace besides Home Depot and Lowes.
 
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LED 100W replacements will be quite rare, and very pricey. 60W replacements run about $20 currently. And no matter what type of bulb you buy, get into the habit of comparing lumens, not wattages. With watts no longer being useful for gauging bulb brightness, lumens are the answer.
 

Gerald C Koch

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I would use two 60Ws, but there's only one socket.
Yes, I can't buy incandescents in 100W, so looking at the halogens, LEDs, and whatever else they have at Lowes/Home Despot. I just can't tell which ones will turn off quickly and not expose my film if I'm loading holders, etc...

Don't know if they still make them but at one time they made a Y-shaped converter which had two sockets for bulbs going into a single base.
 
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I just checked here where I work: a 100W replacement in LED is 1675 lumens and would cost you about $45 to $50. Of course, it'll also last 25,000 hours.
 

AgX

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If one uses fluorescent lamps and has issues with phosphorescence after switching off, one might consider a kind of flap that one can swing over the fixture to cover the switched off lamp.
 

brianmquinn

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Check out 100W "rough service" bulbs on that well known auction site. Same old incandescents, repackaged.

I used these bulbs a lot when I was doing construction. They really have a more durable filament but put out less light and a more yellow light than the "Same old incandescents". Still should work for most needs.
 
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