A question about shop lights.

[doobiedo]

Here's my dilemma. I bought some of those clamp on work lights with the round metal reflector....like this

http://www.drillspot.com/products/274829/COLEMAN-CABLE-INC_05939_10-Clamp-On-Light?s=2

The ones I bought say they are rated for no more than a 150 watt Type A bulb, which I know is just a regular incandescent bulb. What I'm wondering is if I'm using CLFs, would I still need to use something that is no more than the equivalent of a 150 watt regular bulb? For example, I have some 42 watt CFLS that are supposed to equal the 150 watt Type A bulb. Would I be able to go to a higher wattage on the CFL, say to equal 200 watts of a regular bulb without worrying about a fire hazard?

Also, is it better to use the reflectors or let the bulb hang free, which is how I'm using them now?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Stoney Bud]

The fixture is rated for how much current is safe to run through it. The actual current is what is counted.

You shouldn't put any more than 150 actual watts of lights into that fixture or you would be creating a fire hazard.

The reflector just redirects light in a certain direction. If the light is going away from your plants, then use the reflector to direct it back.

TBG made a posting once that showed three bulbs in one fixture. Try looking in the lighting area for it. Or, if you PM him, he may have it on his PC still.

 

[doobiedo]

So I should probably be good if I were to use a CFL that was listed as 60 watts or 85 watts? I don't have to base it on the incandescent rating?

Thanks so much for all your help. I'll try to find that post by TBG.

 

[Stoney Bud]

So I should probably be good if I were to use a CFL that was listed as 60 watts or 85 watts? I don't have to base it on the incandescent rating?

You can use a multiple fixture that holds more than one bulb as long as you stay under the rated wattage in "real" watts, not the equivalent wattage junk they write on the packages.

The one TBG posted had three bulbs in it, I believe.

 

[doobiedo]

Thanks again. I'll PM Brother Grunt and see about that light holder you were talking about.