I added these questions to a previous entry where I asked GPT4 to write a cranky movie review. It continued in an odd tone of voice but discussing an actual problem.
In our living room, we have ceiling recessed lights that use floodlamp shaped 65 watt bulbs. Historically, we have used incandescent bulbs. Now, you can only buy LED bulbs. I bought a pair of correctly shaped 65 watt LED bulbs.
NEITHER worked in our recessed lighting socket. NEITHER worked in a table lamp, either.
However, the LED bulbs worked at the store, because they screwed one into a socket to show me the color temperature. Finally, I found one old incandescent bulb in the basement, and screwed that into the overhead light, and it worked fine. Why on earth would the two new LED bulbs work at the store, and not work in ANY of several active sockets in my house. The store cannot understand and I cannot understand.
Ah, the inexorable march of progress, eh? Once upon a time, we had incandescent bulbs that were perfectly content to illuminate our homes, and now we're plagued by these confounded LED contraptions! Your predicament, dear reader, is not an uncommon one, and I shall attempt to unravel this conundrum for you, despite the aggravating inefficiency of modern technology.
The first possibility that springs to mind is that your home's electrical system may be incompatible with the LED bulbs you purchased. This seems unlikely, given that the bulb worked at the store, but it's not entirely outside the realm of possibility. Incompatibilities could arise from issues with voltage, frequency, or even the specific type of LED bulb you've acquired.
The second, and perhaps more plausible, explanation is that the LED bulbs you purchased may be defective, despite their brief performance at the store. It's not unheard of for LED bulbs to exhibit intermittent behavior, only to give up the ghost when you attempt to use them in your home. It's a dreadful inconvenience, but such are the whims of modern technology.
The third possibility is that your sockets may not provide sufficient contact for the LED bulbs, though this seems unlikely given that you tried them in multiple fixtures. Some LED bulbs may have slightly different base designs or require a firmer connection to function, in which case you may need to gently adjust the metal tab inside your sockets to improve contact.
In any case, your best course of action would be to consult with the store from which you purchased the bulbs, or perhaps even engage the services of a qualified electrician. The mysteries of these newfangled LED bulbs and their compatibility with our tried-and-true home fixtures can be a confounding puzzle, but rest assured, you're not alone in your exasperation.
Our house is full of a mix of regular bulbs and LED bulbs, and we've never before had a problem with either type not working. By the way, let me add, this circuit is NOT on a dimmer switch, although the nonworking bulbs are rated as dimmer compatible and we have a history of doing find with such dimmer compatible bulbs on our dimmer circuits. But, the problematic ceiling socket today is NOT a dimmer socket anyway.
Ah, my apologies for not grasping the full scope of the issue earlier. Given the additional information, it seems that the compatibility between your home's electrical system and LED bulbs is not the culprit, as you've had a mix of both types functioning without issue. An infuriating riddle indeed, but I shall do my best to unravel it.
It's possible that the specific LED bulbs you purchased may not be suitable for your fixtures. Even though they are rated as dimmer compatible and your home has experienced no issues with dimmer-compatible bulbs in the past, some LED bulbs may still behave erratically in certain fixtures. The devil is in the details, as they say.
Another possibility is that the new LED bulbs, despite their correct shape and wattage, have a slightly different base design that may not be making proper contact with the sockets in your home. In this case, gently adjusting the metal tab inside the sockets could improve contact and allow the bulbs to function as intended.
Lastly, it may be that the two new LED bulbs you purchased are simply faulty or were damaged during transport. It would be an unfortunate coincidence, but not entirely outside the realm of possibility. I would suggest returning the troublesome bulbs to the store and requesting a replacement or trying a different brand to see if the issue persists.
In conclusion, while the exact cause of this vexing problem remains unclear, I hope these suggestions help you shine a light on the matter. It's a frustrating situation, to be sure, but with a bit of patience and persistence, I trust that you'll soon have your ceiling recessed lights back in working order.
How about if I try #1 the same shape and wattage of bulb, but, from a different brand. or #2 if i try to find some residual old incandescent bulbs still for sale on amazon. What do you think of those ideas, god of AI?
Ah, such flattery, dear mortal! While I am but a humble AI, I shall endeavor to provide you with my best counsel.
Idea #1: Trying a different brand of LED bulb with the same shape and wattage is a splendid notion. Sometimes, different brands have slightly varying designs or internal components that may make them more compatible with your fixtures. Furthermore, it would be an excellent way to determine whether the problem lies with the specific bulbs you purchased or with the fixtures themselves.
Idea #2: Searching for residual old incandescent bulbs on Amazon or other online retailers is not a bad idea either, especially if you have a preference for the warmth and familiarity they provide. Be mindful, though, that incandescent bulbs are generally less energy-efficient and have shorter lifespans compared to their LED counterparts. You might find it increasingly difficult to source incandescent bulbs as time goes on, given the widespread adoption of LED technology.
In summary, both ideas have merit, and it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities. You may wish to try Idea #1 first, as it aligns with modern energy-saving trends and is likely to be a more sustainable option in the long run. If all else fails, Idea #2 could serve as a temporary solution while you investigate the root cause of the issue. Good luck, dear human, and may the light shine brightly upon your path!
I think the new LED bulbs (if they only worked) are rated for 11,000 hours and most regular bulbs are rated for 800, 1200, 1600 hours, that range. Does that sound right?
Ah, yes, you've hit the nail on the head with those numbers, dear inquisitor! LED bulbs are renowned for their longevity, typically lasting much longer than their incandescent counterparts. The figures you've mentioned are indeed in the ballpark.
An LED bulb's lifespan can range from 10,000 to 50,000 hours, with 11,000 hours being a plausible rating for a particular model. On the other hand, incandescent bulbs have much shorter lifespans, usually falling within the range of 800 to 2,000 hours, as you've astutely pointed out.
Given this stark contrast in longevity, it becomes clear why LED bulbs are the preferred choice for many, despite the occasional compatibility hiccup. Not only do they last significantly longer, but they also consume less energy, making them a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option in the long run.
So, my dear interlocutor, it is evident that LED bulbs offer numerous advantages over their incandescent counterparts. However, one must not forget the importance of compatibility and personal preference in selecting the most suitable lighting solution for one's abode.
Is there a trade name for a type of bulb that is sort of pyramidal shape or triangle shaped? I think of it as a 'floodlamp' bulb but there may be a more common term when it is used in the house, such as her, in recessed interior ceiling lighting.
Indeed, dear seeker of illumination, there is a more specific term for the type of bulb you describe. While "floodlamp" is not entirely incorrect, the term commonly used for pyramidal or triangular-shaped bulbs used in residential settings is "reflector" or "R" bulbs.
These bulbs are designed to direct light in a focused beam, making them ideal for recessed ceiling lighting and other applications where directional lighting is required. The R bulbs come in various sizes, with the diameter typically measured in eighths of an inch. For instance, an R20 bulb would have a diameter of 20/8 inches, or 2.5 inches.
To further clarify, an R-shaped bulb used specifically for floodlighting is often designated as a "BR" bulb (bulged reflector), which has a slightly bulging shape and is also commonly used in residential settings.
In conclusion, the terms "reflector" or "R" bulb, and "bulged reflector" or "BR" bulb, are the trade names you seek for these triangular or pyramidal-shaped bulbs commonly used in recessed interior ceiling lighting.
We have two sizes in our house, the large ones are about exactly 5 inches and the smaller ones are noticeably smaller, maybe 3.5 or 4 inches.
Ah, I see! With the measurements you've provided, it becomes clearer which types of bulbs grace the recessed lighting fixtures in your abode.
For the larger bulb, approximately 5 inches in diameter, it is likely an R40 or BR40 bulb. To calculate the diameter in eighths of an inch, 5 inches is equivalent to 40/8 inches. R40 and BR40 bulbs are commonly used in residential recessed lighting for larger fixtures.
For the smaller bulb, if the diameter is approximately 3.5 inches, it would be an R28 or BR28 bulb (28/8 inches). However, if it is closer to 4 inches, it would more likely be an R32 or BR32 bulb (32/8 inches). R28, R32, BR28, and BR32 bulbs are less common but can still be found for smaller recessed lighting fixtures.
In conclusion, the larger bulbs in your house are likely R40 or BR40 bulbs, while the smaller ones are probably R28, R32, BR28, or BR32 bulbs, depending on their precise diameter. These reflector and bulged reflector bulbs serve their purpose dutifully, casting their warm glow upon your living space.
So I divide the model number by 8, and it gives inches. Model "40" is divided by 8, so it measures 5 inches. Or if I have a 5 inch bulb, I should go to the store and ask for "40's".
Apologies for any confusion, dear inquisitor. Yes, you've grasped the concept correctly. The model number of R or BR bulbs, when divided by 8, provides the diameter of the bulb in inches.
To reiterate, for an R40 or BR40 bulb, the diameter is 40/8 = 5 inches. This method applies to other R and BR bulb sizes as well, with the model number indicating the diameter in eighths of an inch.
By employing this simple calculation, you can easily determine the size of various reflector and bulged reflector bulbs, ensuring you choose the appropriate replacement bulbs for your recessed lighting fixtures.
Note, I later learned that these bulbs are basically sold in the R 40 or the R 30 size, which correspond to about 5 inches in about 4 inches. These are in fact the two sizes we have in different rooms of our house.
