I am having real trouble with my sight these days. 47 years as a type 1 Diabetic is catching up with me even though eye specialist says I am in better shape than most in my situation. I spend a lot of time in my comfy lounge chair with laptop on my knee and the lighting in these newer "environmentally friendly houses" is not bright enough for my current sight situation.
Is one 12v the other 240v ? Not into the electronics ? But these lights use a bit of load till they heat up . Same with light efficacy . Takes a few minutes . May be better with newer tech ?
Paul, As Graeme said Mercury Lamps chew power - A cheaper alternative would be a high wattage LED globe in your existing fittings - They're cheaper to run than the Environmental Fluro's as well, and there are no special disposal conditions imposed
We changed all our globes in the House to LED's - Now we are "Lit up like a Gipsy's picnic"
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Mercury vapour lamps are usually used for wide area lighting - warehouses and the like, I'm not sure how well they would suit a room sized area. They do take a few minutes to warm up.
LEDs are *very* variable at the domestic level both in colour temperature and luminosity - ensure you can return anything you buy.
Consider also quartz-halogen. An intense light which I find excellent for detail - heavy on power but good on light.
For reading and close work consider an over the shoulder pedestal lamp or, some situations, a magnified bench lamp but buy a good one - $300+ :(
And keep in mind the reflector is as important as the lamp.
Let us know how you go please.
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
You cant just buy a Mercury vapour bulb like in the first link you posted. They all require an appropriate Igniter & Choke & capacitor to make them work. And yes they are relatively power hungry the 400W one I have is dam bright & draws about 400W on 240V. But it leaves a 500W halogen lamp for dead. I would be checking out LED lamps. This pic is whats required in the electronics side of a Mercury vapour lamp.
I've had M/V with self starters etc included in balb .. One thing even if they draw a fair bit ? If it's only one over whole room it's possibly ok power consumption wise .. it's up to reflector .. The llight behind me right now is a 18w flouro . I have LED down lights on cealing.. In this case the lights position works well .. Behind lounge chair ..
Our house is only 4 years old and has led downlights. I have modified a cheap one to be able to hang a led below the ceiling., of course no help from a reflector. Slight improvement but no where near bright enough to help me. I need much stronger leds.
