Philips BR19 and BR25 Spot Lights Discontinued

I'm not sure if it was because of the Energy Conservation mandate or if it was just a product that Philips had delisted along the way. But, you will no longer be able to find any BR19 or BR25 Spot Light Bulbs from Philips.

These were great little bulbs because of their size and function. There are very few flood type bulbs that are as small as this one was. On top of that there are fewer incandescent light bulbs that act as spot lights! That's the real kicker in most cases.

So, where do you go from here? You have some decisions to make. Do you want to stick with an incandescent but you don't need a "spot" light? If so and you were using the BR19, you might consider the R20 Flood Lights or the K19 Director Light Bulbs. Both are very close in size. They don't look anything like what you've been using but there is nothing out there like the bulb we show here to the left. If you were using the BR25 bulb, your options are not as clear cut. It really depends on the size of your fixture as to which direction you can go. Contact us at Light Bulb Market and we can help you sort it out.

If a "spot" is really what you were going for, you are going to be forced to look at halogen bulbs. And the closest thing you are going to get to a spot in the size that you need is a PAR 20 Spot Light Bulb. Again, it is going to look totally different and is going to be about 3/4" shorter than what you are using above (BR19) but it's a spot...... If you were using a BR25 and you need a spot, you can consider the previous item or a PAR 30S Spot Light Bulb which is going to be 5/8" wider and 1/2" shorter. Or you can consider the PAR 30L Spot Light Bulb which is going to be again 5/8" wider and 3/8" longer than the BR25.

Bottom line there isn't a perfect replacement and it's going to be a tough decision....unfortunately.

Holly Eddins

Hz in Relation to Light Bulbs

We often get calls from customers who want us to confirm what Hz a bulb is or needs when researching what they need. In general any bulb being sold on the shelf or on the web in the US is going to work in the US. Honestly, we don't even advertise Hz on our website because the bases are different depending on if a bulb is made for the US or Asia so you don't need to be as concerned what the Hz is. It's if you are crossing the border that you need to be aware of and concerned with the Hz.

US is 60 Hz and Europe & Asia are 50 Hz. Beyond that there are many other variables that you might need to detect to find the correct bulb. But when it comes to Hz, anything 60 Hz will work here at home!

Holly Eddins

Philips 50 Watt BR19 Light Bulbs are Discontinued

It is quite unfortunately that these bulbs got caught up in the Energy Bill passed in 2005. These 50 watt BR19 bulbs were unique as they were an incandescent that were also a spot light bulb. There are not very many incandescents that are manufactured to be a spot light.

So, what can you do? There are really only 2 options and neither are perfect so you'll need to decide what is most important.

First, there is a 45 watt R20 incandescent light bulb. The shape is similar. They only have 5 less lumens than the 50 watt BR19 and that's not each to tell the difference. The R20 is only 3/16" shorter so the size is pretty similar. Biggest difference??? The R20 is a flood light where the BR19 was a spot light.

So, secondly, if you need a spot and aren't as concerned about the bulb being the same or similar, you can look at a halogen bulb. The 50 Watt PAR20 light bulb. The PAR20 bulbs are going to be 3/4" shorter than the BR19. The beam of spot is the same. 25 degree. The bulbs are very different. The halogen is a heavy bumpy glass to diffuse the lighting. Where the BR19 was a smoother lighter glass. The PAR20 is also going to be a brighter bulb. It has 530 lumens where the BR19 only had 385 lumens.

As you can see, neither is a perfect replacement. But they are the best options available.

Holly Eddins

Introducing Philips DIMMABLE LED Light Bulbs

The time has arrived when Philips has brought the dimmable LED technology to the states. This technology has been present in European markets but only in the last several days have they been sold in the US.

Advances in the dimmable led light bulbs don't only include the fact that they dim but many of them are also brighter and provide a higher quality of light measured in CRI. The higher the CRI the crisper the light.

They still are not incandescents but when you look at the energy savings, the LED bulbs will be a fast replacement. Check out the following bulbs available currently in the Endura LED collection:

R20 Endura LED Dimmable Light Bulbs

A19 Endura LED Dimmable Light Bulbs

MR16 Endura LED Dimmable Light Bulbs

Holly Eddins

Looking for the 40 Watt F10 1/2 Halogena' Philips Light Bulbs?

Well, we are too. In mid May, Philips ran out of their stock on these bulbs and no one seems to have these in stock any longer. At this point, we estimate that it will be anywhere from August of 2010 to October of 2010 before they come in stock.

It's a bummer but with large companies, there is no way to predict how production schedules are set and when items will arrive in the states and so on and so forth. These 40 Watt F10 1/2 Halogena' bulbs are great for chandeliers and sconces that have room for their size. And they are more energy efficient than their incandescent sister.

If you can wait, they will be totally worth the wait!

Holly Eddins

Can I use a 240 volt bulb in an outlet made for 120/110 volts?

It is not a problem to use a bulb made at any voltage for any application. You will however have differing results based on the testing of the particular bulb that you are using.

If you are using a bulb that is made to take a higher voltage than you are exposing it to, it will be less light and will last longer. Because the bulb will not be stressed to it's maximum potential it will live longer. The light output could be significantly less. Unfortunately, there aren't tests done for a particular bulb at voltages different from what they are specifically made for so there is no way to give you a solid answer of how much longer they will live or how much dimmer they will be. You'll just have to try it and see.

Then if you are using a bulb that is made for a lower voltage than what what you are using it for, the bulb will be brighter and will live a much shorter life than it's testing. Simply reverse the reasons above and that's your answer why.

So, you can use a bulb that is not made for the particular voltage that you have just know that there will be consequences.

Holly Eddins

I need a BR30 flood without any writing on the bulb!!!

Many times we get calls from customers who are looking for flood lights that do not have writing on the top part of the bulb. (Or the part that you see when it's screwed in to the can) Philips has 3 bulbs that are completely free of writing on the face of the bulb; all in 65 watt BR30 form. See links to them below if you are looking for such an item:

65 Watt BR30 120 Volt Philips Light Bulb

65 Watt BR30 130 Volt Philips Light Bulb

65 Watt BR30 120 Volt Generic Light Bulb

Holly Eddins

What is an E27 Socket?

This pic is actually not an E27 socket but a socket extender but work with me here. An E27 socket is a European socket. There is no difference in diameter from the sockets we use here in the states which is an E26 socket. In fact the only difference is the an E27 socket has one more thread to the screw in part. So, as long as the bulb you are using has a little bit of a neck, an American bulb will possibly work for you. May take a little trial and error but sometimes the European Bulbs are hard to find.

Holly Eddins

How do I figure out what replacement to use in my linear fluroescent fixture?

When it comes to linear fluorescent light bulbs, they come in many different lengths. Most are in nice even lengths: 22", 24", 36", 48" but there are also many special lengths in amongst those for your non main stream linear fluorescents.

We will occasionally get calls from customers who have a linear fluorescent fixture but no bulb and no idea how to figure out what bulb they need to purchase.

The easiest way to figure out what bulb you need is to open up your fixture and look at your ballast. If it's from a quality company, it will state on the ballast what bulb to purchase.

If that fails, the only way to figure it out is by trial and error. Meaning go to the store and get one you think is right and keep trying 'til you get the one that works. If you don't want to go through that, you should just take the fixture out and replace it.

That may not have been what you wanted to hear but there are soooo many fluorescent choices, it's tough to give you a simple answer! Good luck.

Holly Eddins

What does "Spark Out" mean?

If you've ever heard this term mentioned, you probably can guess what it means. But we will confirm that it's not a good term. If you are using a light bulb that is not meant to be used as a 3 way bulb but are trying to use it as one, when you turn the knob, you may experience a "spark out."

So, spark out is a technical or semi technical work for causing a spark which could lead to a flame. So, it's a fire hazard. Some customers of ours are determined to use bulb improperly and that's certainly your choice but it's important with light bulbs that you use them for the uses that are manufactured.

Holly Eddins

Philips Halogena' Energy Saver Light Bulbs

For everyone looking for light bulbs to replace their discontinued incandescent light bulbs, there is possibly a solution for you. Philips has started to produce a halogena' collection light bulb in the BR30 and BR40 styles that give out the same amount of light as some of the high wattage incandescents that have been outlawed by Congress.

In the box stores you might find them under the Halogena' Energy Savor collection. Other distributors have the exact same bulb but it is called Philips Halogena' Energy Advantage. Everything about the two are exactly the same from the light provided, size and shape of bulb and the average rated life of the bulb.

The lumens aren't going to be the same but a halogena' will appear brighter than an incandescent because of the technology behind manufacturing the bulb. So, to replace a 85Watt BR30 incandescent, you can use a 40Watt BR30 Halogena' Energy Advantage/Energy Saver Bulb. Then to replace a 120Watt BR40, you can use a 70Watt BR40 Halogena' Energy Advantage/Energy Saver Bulb.

This is great news for those of you out there who want to keep the bulb you've been using AND want to get similar amount of light as before.

Holly Eddins

Philips R50 Spotline Spotone Mini Flood Lights

Philips 40 Watt European Spotline Spotone R50 Mini Flood Light Bulbs will be discontinued in the next year or so. These bulbs were made to be distributed in Europe but have found their way into the states because of the European lighting fixtures that are being sold here. Many folks can only use these bulbs for their lighting fixtures and will be forced to change out those fixtures when these bulbs are no longer available.

As of now we do still have ample stock of these but know that that won't last forever.

Holly Eddins

Philips 75 Watt R20 Light Bulbs now Discontinued

If you are looking for the Philips 75 Watt R20 Light Bulb, I'm afraid to tell you that they are now long longer available. As a result of the 2005 energy bill that Congress passed, all R20 bulbs 50 watts and over are to be discontinued in 2010. You will find them nowhere!

In this bulb type the 75 watt version is the first to go. The 50 watt and 100 watt are still available and you can find them at Light Bulb Market.

Holly Eddins

What is the ANSI Code?

An ANSI Code stands for the "American National Standards Institute." For most Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium and Medium/Low Pressure Sodium bulbs, the fixture contains the "ballast" or starting mechanism that lights up the light bulb. (In incandescent, halogen, led and compact fluorescent light bulbs this starting mechanism or ballast is built into the bulb.)

The ANSI is an organization that regulates or agrees upon certain standards for each of the HID light bulbs that require a ballast to ignite the bulbs. When using a bulb that requires a ballast the ANSI code must match for the light bulb to function properly.

Holly Eddins