Bought three Cree PAR38 18-watt (90-watt equivalent) 47° 3000K floods to try in my utility room. They're fantastic, although expensive. Must. Get. More.
Cree LED Floods
- Thread starter DADoES
- Start date
Bought three Cree PAR38 18-watt (90-watt equivalent) 47° 3000K floods to try in my utility room. They're fantastic, although expensive. Must. Get. More.
How much were they?
kb0nes
Well-known member
Glenn,
They are a lovely lamp aren't they? Solid, well made and with a uniform beam pattern. I do wish that Cree could do a little more with 3000-3500K color temps, their 2700K Softwhite is too warm and the 5000K Daylight is too cold for my eye.
I'm running a couple of these unprotected inside the surround of a CNC machining center. So far the flying chips and coolant splash don't seem to phase them.
How much did you pay for them in your area? HD I assume... They are $25 here in Minneapolis. Compared to a standard tungsten 90w lamp that means they pay for themselves in only 3 years at 3 hours a day @.11kwh!
They are a lovely lamp aren't they? Solid, well made and with a uniform beam pattern. I do wish that Cree could do a little more with 3000-3500K color temps, their 2700K Softwhite is too warm and the 5000K Daylight is too cold for my eye.
I'm running a couple of these unprotected inside the surround of a CNC machining center. So far the flying chips and coolant splash don't seem to phase them.
How much did you pay for them in your area? HD I assume... They are $25 here in Minneapolis. Compared to a standard tungsten 90w lamp that means they pay for themselves in only 3 years at 3 hours a day @.11kwh!
$71.91 for a 3-pack, online, plus sales tax, free shipping.
Ok, folks ... I have a 66% failure rate on the floods. Two of the three have gone dead at less than 30 mins accumulated usage. Both at exactly the same moment. I was planning to get 10 to 15 more (I have 26 flood fixtures), now I dunno.
kb0nes
Well-known member
Wow that is odd, I have 3 Of there PAR38's all with a few hundred hours total. Not a moments trouble with either and they are in a tough environment too.
I have at least a dozen of the other Cree lamps and no hiccoughs with them either after months in service. Something weird is afoot. You must have got a defective run or something.
Remember to mark your lamp bases and save your receipts, Cree gives a 10 year warranty on residential lamps.
I have at least a dozen of the other Cree lamps and no hiccoughs with them either after months in service. Something weird is afoot. You must have got a defective run or something.
Remember to mark your lamp bases and save your receipts, Cree gives a 10 year warranty on residential lamps.
jerrod6
Well-known member
Over the last four months I have replaced 10 of my bulbs with Crees. 7 are 60w, and 3 are 100w that I have on a dimmer over the dinning room table. I am also going to try Philips which are supposed to have a better color radiance but they are only warranted for 5 years, instead of 10. I have a collection of receipts and the proof of purchase for all of these so I will file a claim on any bulb that doesn't hold up.
So far I like these LED's but the years will tell the story.
So far I like these LED's but the years will tell the story.
sudsmaster
Well-known member
Please bear in mind that there are two basic types of Crees: the standard LED, which I think has a CRI in the 80's, and the TW series, which has a CRI of about 94. The TW series is more expensive and about 30% less energy efficient. As with most high CRI LED's, you pay a little more upfront and for usage for the higher color rendition. You can tell the difference at a glance; the TW series bulbs have a purple tint to the outer glass.
I've been able to pick up some 60 equiv 13.5 watt consumption Cree TW series bulbs for $10 each at Home Depot. They periodically go on sale for that price, but one has to check frequently to see what they are going for. Normally they are $14-18 each.
Recently I've started buying Feit brand 60/13.5 bulbs which claim a CRI of 92. This is because Costco has recently had them on discount (subsidized by the local utility) for $6 each. They give nearly as good a light as the Cree TW series for substantially less. I've been using them to replace CFL's here and there. The Feit bulbs have a slightly odd shape (no worse than Phillips' odd shape) and are not tinted.
The Cree 60/9.5 daylight non-TW bulb isn't bad. I recently replaced a 75/18 daylight CFL over the cooktop with one of those. The color rendition seems similar to that of the CFL it replaced.
I've been able to pick up some 60 equiv 13.5 watt consumption Cree TW series bulbs for $10 each at Home Depot. They periodically go on sale for that price, but one has to check frequently to see what they are going for. Normally they are $14-18 each.
Recently I've started buying Feit brand 60/13.5 bulbs which claim a CRI of 92. This is because Costco has recently had them on discount (subsidized by the local utility) for $6 each. They give nearly as good a light as the Cree TW series for substantially less. I've been using them to replace CFL's here and there. The Feit bulbs have a slightly odd shape (no worse than Phillips' odd shape) and are not tinted.
The Cree 60/9.5 daylight non-TW bulb isn't bad. I recently replaced a 75/18 daylight CFL over the cooktop with one of those. The color rendition seems similar to that of the CFL it replaced.
sudsmaster
Well-known member
PS... Costco is currently carrying some 125 watt equiv recessed canister style LED lights for about $18. I was tempted to try one but this place doesn't have any recessed canister style lights. It has a couple of over-sink lights in specially made boxes, with flat glass or plastic light diffusers, but regular light bulbs work just fine in that application.
Called for warranty fulfillment. A prepaid return label will be included with the replacements (so the rep said).
PAR38 indoors
Good to hear that the beam pattern is even. Plenty of R30 LED floods in the store, but R40's are harder to find. I've been reluctant to invest in PAR38 LED's, because the traditional PAR38's are mainly for outdoors, and have a patterned lens.
Good to hear that the beam pattern is even. Plenty of R30 LED floods in the store, but R40's are harder to find. I've been reluctant to invest in PAR38 LED's, because the traditional PAR38's are mainly for outdoors, and have a patterned lens.
Warranty Fulfillment
8/28 I have not received the warranty replacement bulbs. A follow-up call to Cree on 8/19 advised a ship date of 8/21, delay due to supplier issues. Note above that the initial call was on 8/11. They have not (yet) asked for proof of purchase.
8/28 I have not received the warranty replacement bulbs. A follow-up call to Cree on 8/19 advised a ship date of 8/21, delay due to supplier issues. Note above that the initial call was on 8/11. They have not (yet) asked for proof of purchase.
kb0nes
Well-known member
"They have not (yet) asked for proof of purchase."
They may not care, this product only came to market in the past month or so, they know they are new. I bet they want them back so they can find the failure.
Its a shame they are back ordered, but Cree is probably still filling the retail shelves. The HD stores around here seem to have plenty though...
I've bought an additional two since you had your problem. I have 5 now all running without a glitch.
They may not care, this product only came to market in the past month or so, they know they are new. I bet they want them back so they can find the failure.
Its a shame they are back ordered, but Cree is probably still filling the retail shelves. The HD stores around here seem to have plenty though...
I've bought an additional two since you had your problem. I have 5 now all running without a glitch.
gusherb
Well-known member
I outfitted my sisters office with 9.5 watt Cree BR30's, she and I couldn't have been more pleased with the results. It was a mix of BR30 65 watt bulbs and CFL's prior to that.
Her utility was giving a generous rebate on LED's so 300 dollars worth of bulbs only cost her half that!
I wish ComEd and NIPSCO would offer rebates, I've so far only converted 5 fixtures in our house to LED's due to high upfront cost.
Her utility was giving a generous rebate on LED's so 300 dollars worth of bulbs only cost her half that!
I wish ComEd and NIPSCO would offer rebates, I've so far only converted 5 fixtures in our house to LED's due to high upfront cost.
Status Update
A 2nd follow-up call on 9/3. Rep said the initial ship date is stated as 8/15. Still not shipped as of 9/3. Said he'd check into the situation and call back "very soon." No call thus far.
I sent a contact e-mail via Cree's web site later in the day on 9/3. Reply received 9/4. Quote: "Currently these lamps are back ordered and we hope to have them available by the end of the month."
So, that's heading toward 2 months for warranty fulfillment. :-|
A 2nd follow-up call on 9/3. Rep said the initial ship date is stated as 8/15. Still not shipped as of 9/3. Said he'd check into the situation and call back "very soon." No call thus far.
I sent a contact e-mail via Cree's web site later in the day on 9/3. Reply received 9/4. Quote: "Currently these lamps are back ordered and we hope to have them available by the end of the month."
So, that's heading toward 2 months for warranty fulfillment. :-|
I recently replaced 12 recessed 230 volt halogens with Philips dimmable LEDs and they are *amazingly* good.
I'm very happy with the colour and the brightness levels and really don't notice any difference between them and the halogens.
I had tried LEDs before and they were all too dull and the colour temperature was wrong too. I think perhaps I had bought-in too early.
These were quite expensive, but it's fantastic to be able to light my entire hallway and living room with so little power and I like the fact that they run much cooler than halogens too.
I'm very happy with the colour and the brightness levels and really don't notice any difference between them and the halogens.
I had tried LEDs before and they were all too dull and the colour temperature was wrong too. I think perhaps I had bought-in too early.
These were quite expensive, but it's fantastic to be able to light my entire hallway and living room with so little power and I like the fact that they run much cooler than halogens too.
Costco
has the FEIT on sale right now. I got 2 par30 floods 40Weq for $9.00
And one 100Weq flood for $9. CRI-93 K=2700 nice bulbs !1
has the FEIT on sale right now. I got 2 par30 floods 40Weq for $9.00
And one 100Weq flood for $9. CRI-93 K=2700 nice bulbs !1
The two warranty replacement bulbs arrived yesterday.
That's 57 days wait-time on warranty fulfillment.
A prepaid shipping label to return the bad bulbs was not included. An e-mail follow-up to the customer support contact advised to "recycle the bad bulbs."
The remaining original bulb of the 3-pack failed this evening.
100% failure rate of the three bulbs within less than 3 hrs of total usage time.
mayken4now
Well-known member
Guess You're
done Glen! Nope aint doing it. Old hardware store near where we live bought up all the 100 watt incandescent bulbs he could, Like 8 cases total #16000 bulbs. PSST, he shares them with me when I ante up for a few.
done Glen! Nope aint doing it. Old hardware store near where we live bought up all the 100 watt incandescent bulbs he could, Like 8 cases total #16000 bulbs. PSST, he shares them with me when I ante up for a few.
Disappointed in this story from the beginning, Glenn, that really sucks. I bought six Cree bulbs at Home Depot for a new bath light fixture and have had good luck so far. If I do have a problem, I will trot them right back to Home Depot, they're usually pretty good about returns.
16,000 bulbs?? That's great Steve, you'll never have to run out. I think I have a few 100W incandescents around but I don't have many fixtures that will even take them anymore.
16,000 bulbs?? That's great Steve, you'll never have to run out. I think I have a few 100W incandescents around but I don't have many fixtures that will even take them anymore.
kb0nes
Well-known member
Well with the failure of the 3rd lamp that pretty much confirms you got a bad lot. I'd bet Cree is aware of this problem and may be why they didn't ask for the return of the defective ones. Its a darn shame to see this from a company like Cree, which is generally considered to be on the forefront of this technology, and one of the few companies assembling here in the US. Of course issues can happen with any product, at least this one is pretty minor compared to GM's problems...
I have six of the PAR38's, the oldest few dating back into July running 12 hours a day at work, not a flicker out of any of them. Between work and home I have another ~30 Cree A19 lamps and never had a hitch with any of them either. I assume the replacements you got from Cree are doing fine?
Out of all the LED lamps I have bought (more then 75) I have had only one failure and that was an early Lights of America lamp that was built with discrete leaded plastic encapsulated LED's. Autopsy found a solder joint failure.
I have six of the PAR38's, the oldest few dating back into July running 12 hours a day at work, not a flicker out of any of them. Between work and home I have another ~30 Cree A19 lamps and never had a hitch with any of them either. I assume the replacements you got from Cree are doing fine?
Out of all the LED lamps I have bought (more then 75) I have had only one failure and that was an early Lights of America lamp that was built with discrete leaded plastic encapsulated LED's. Autopsy found a solder joint failure.
*whistling as he quitely looks over the *ahem* large supply of items that produce heat with light as an afterthought. ;-)
The more problematic is these. I have five of these in operation between two houses and a workshop.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-century...iers_and_Ceiling_Fixtures&hash=item418934dcd9
They take 300-500 watt Silver Bowl bulbs like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SYLVANIA-30...8895798?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&hash=item4ade675cb6
They would have to pry these lamps from my cold, dead, hands before I give them up. The quality of light is unbelievable.
The more problematic is these. I have five of these in operation between two houses and a workshop.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-century...iers_and_Ceiling_Fixtures&hash=item418934dcd9
They take 300-500 watt Silver Bowl bulbs like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SYLVANIA-30...8895798?pt=US_Light_Bulbs&hash=item4ade675cb6
They would have to pry these lamps from my cold, dead, hands before I give them up. The quality of light is unbelievable.
mayken4now
Well-known member
Greg
Yep, 16,000 totaled the 8 cases. They are huge boxes.
Yep, 16,000 totaled the 8 cases. They are huge boxes.
More Cree Failure
One of the replacement bulbs went dead this morning. That's four bulbs failed of six total ... three original and three replacements. I have e-mailed the customer service rep with whom I dealt previously, awaiting her reply.
One of the replacement bulbs went dead this morning. That's four bulbs failed of six total ... three original and three replacements. I have e-mailed the customer service rep with whom I dealt previously, awaiting her reply.
joeekaitis
Well-known member
As soon as I saw "100 watt equivalent" . . .
. . . I bought two of the CREE daylight (5000K) globe-type LED bulbs, about $20 each (anyone remember the first-generation hundred-dollar LED bulbs?). They're bigger than an incandescent and coated in a shatter-containing film. One's in the range hood, the other is over the kitchen sink.
SO nice to have plenty of instant-on light for just 18 watts each.
. . . I bought two of the CREE daylight (5000K) globe-type LED bulbs, about $20 each (anyone remember the first-generation hundred-dollar LED bulbs?). They're bigger than an incandescent and coated in a shatter-containing film. One's in the range hood, the other is over the kitchen sink.
SO nice to have plenty of instant-on light for just 18 watts each.
gusherb
Well-known member
My CREE LED's and the ones in my sisters office are working fine last I heard. Been 8 months for hers and well over a year for mine.
sudsmaster
Well-known member
Glenn,
I'm wondering if your installation is having an effect on the LED longevity. Is there enough space around the bulbs in the recessed fixtures to allow for adequate cooling? LED's put out about as much heat as CFL's, but are more sensitive to the deleterious effects of heat. As I'm sure you know. Since others here do not appear to have your rate of failure with these bulbs, there's got to be something different about your site. Assuming the bulbs you're using are of same quality/design as what others are using?
I'm wondering if your installation is having an effect on the LED longevity. Is there enough space around the bulbs in the recessed fixtures to allow for adequate cooling? LED's put out about as much heat as CFL's, but are more sensitive to the deleterious effects of heat. As I'm sure you know. Since others here do not appear to have your rate of failure with these bulbs, there's got to be something different about your site. Assuming the bulbs you're using are of same quality/design as what others are using?
I've considered that possibility, and the package says "Lifetime may be reduced if used in air tight enclosures or in insulated ceiling air tight (ICAT) recessed down light enclosures" [don't think that's what I have] ... but --
1) 20-ish years reduced to two months??
2) The fixtures are intended for BR40, which fit slightly proud of the trim ring. These Cree bulbs are PAR38 so fit a little recessed from the ring which allows slightly more space for convection airflow.
3) The duty cycle likely is not long enough for overheating to be a relevant factor. I usually turn them on for only a minute or two to fetch something from storage in there (two closets, several cabinets and drawers). Only time they'd typically be on 10+ mins is if I'm folding clothes.
I have a couple WalMart-brand BR30s dating to Jan 2014 in the same type of fixtures in my office room, which are often are on for 4- to 6-hr stretches. Those haven't failed.
sudsmaster
Well-known member
Well, since you have other brand LED floods that work in the same types of fixtures... that seems to rule out the fixtures as the issue.
Bad luck there.
Bad luck there.
Similar threads
