29 Sep
2005
29 Sep
'05
4:40 p.m.
Actually, I use compact fluorescents almost everywhere
(I prefer the
higher apparent colour temperature). There are 2 specific places I don't
use them -- one is over the lathe (I am worried about a possible
stroboscopic effect making the machine appear stationary when it's not)
and the second is in the darkroom (they have a significantly long
afterglow after being turned off -- several minutes -- which is a right
pain there).
Many compact fluorescents use a 30-40Khz AC power source, so stroboscopic effects may not
be a problem unless your lathe's chuck rotates at a VERY high speed. You can also
make use of standard bi-pin fluorescent lamps with a fixture that uses an active
(high-frequency) ballast.
For your darkroom, you might want to look into the multiple-white-LED mains-powered
spotlights. Ebay is full of sellers eager to unload them.
I constructed a music stand lamp using three 14" CCFLs (surplus LCD backlight parts).
While not as bright as the 150w halogen lamp it replaces, the quality of illumination is
far superior--and I don't worry about burning my sheet music, although some of it
might well benefit from such a treatment...
Cheers,
Chuck