01-03-2007, 09:05 PM
I haven't seen a CFL that took more than one second to 'light'. (yet)
Although some of my real old ones are starting to approach that.
The CFL I have in the un-heated garage was rated for cold weather outdoor use right on the packaging. The flourescent tubes I have over a work bench will not turn on under 20 degrees.
Some packaging have absolutely no information regarding temperature suitability (although there may be something on that paper in the package with the tiny printing I don't bother to read. )
I have seen some that specifically state not for cold weather use on the box, so I don't try to use those outdoors.
There are some rather crappy CFLs out there, just as there are some crappy incandescants.
Although some of my real old ones are starting to approach that.
The CFL I have in the un-heated garage was rated for cold weather outdoor use right on the packaging. The flourescent tubes I have over a work bench will not turn on under 20 degrees.
Some packaging have absolutely no information regarding temperature suitability (although there may be something on that paper in the package with the tiny printing I don't bother to read. )
I have seen some that specifically state not for cold weather use on the box, so I don't try to use those outdoors.
There are some rather crappy CFLs out there, just as there are some crappy incandescants.