Best CFL Manufacturer

In terms of reliability, safety and overall quality, which manufacturer stands out as best? If need be, separate out answers for:

1. bulbs, and
2. sockets.

I'm a novice looking for information on the Cool White (4100K) CFL bulbs and sockets for them.

Well i am not sure on brand, but why are you looking at 4100k CFL's. They are almost useless to plants. 6500k and 2700k are the best numbers to look at.

It was advice from J. Cervantes' book, " . . . Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible".

Since then, I've been reading this form and realizing that Cervantes' 2006 advice on CFLs runs a bit behind what's happening in the world today. Is the 2700K better than the 4100K for flowering? I'm looking at a spectral map that would suggest otherwise.

Regardless, I'd love to know which manufacturer maintains the highest standards and strictest quality control. After all, it is something made of thin glass that can explode and start fires - I'd like to have the best.

yeah 2700k and 6500k are the numbers your looking for power plant does a decent enough range if your looking for the larger type 150w+ i've had mine on 24/7 for months with no probs and will definitely be investing in some more. sorry mate all i got from personal info regarding cfl's

they are all the same pretty much, their isnt really a *best cfl maker*. what do you mean by sockets?
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=55235 I like these, well, similar ones. You can get em alot cheaper at your local fleet farm/hardware store/wal mart. then get a y splitter for each one and get 2 6 bulbboxes of 23wor 26w or 30w whatever you can afford and is in stock, but the bigger the better. 1 box of 6500k and one of 2700k.

Sockets? Perhaps I used the wrong word. The cord and fixture thing that you screw the ballasted CFL into. The larger ones are referred to as "Mogul" Base Sockets I think.

Perhaps I don't need to worry so much about quality, it's just that assembly lines in different places have different standards.

Next question. Regarding a given Kelvin rating, say 6500K: they come in more than one wattage. 65W, 85W and 105W where I was just looking. Do I want the highest wattage for a given Kelvin rating or does it matter? Or am I thinking backwards. For a given Kelvin rating do I want the lowest power rating to conserve energy, one of CFL's virtues?

yes. all kelvins come in different wattages. Most cfls do not need a mogul socket, they are self ballasted. just use some of those clamp light sockets i linked you to, but from a store in your area, lots of places carry em.

darkdestruction420, we crossed but I have another question for you above. I thought reflector hoods wasted lumens from CFLs.

No, where did you hear that?

wait, let me clarify. If you only use it for one bulb it is since the middle of the bulb is where most the light is, thats part of why the y sockets are needed, they will make it so it hangs more horizontal than like it is w/o the y splitter.

Thanks for the link, by the way. OK, I get it: I missed the splitter.

I read it in the same "Bible" where I got my other misinformation. I think I need better books.

OK, those splitters are for two 25W CFL bulbs, be they 2700K or 6400K. Lets say we're starting out and it's 6400K season. Would you rather have two of these setups (equaling 100W) or a single 105W CFL at the same temperature rating:
https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/6051/FC105-S65.html (for instance)?

Alternately, would you rather have four 105W 6500K bulbs from 1000bulbs.com?

they can be any watt actually. The thing with big cfls is that you cant surround your plant and totally bathe it top to bottom in light like you can if you have more little bulbs.

Then what's the limiting factor? The amperage? The temperature (K), power (W), physical space available? Why can't I surround my garden with light and bathe it top to bottom with 105W bulbs? If I were in America that would be around 1.25 amps per bulb on say a 16amp (80% of max) circuit. With an empty circuit I could safely run a dozen CFLs and my grow-room would look like the tunnel to heaven when I cracked the door.

Again, what's the limiting factor?

The best CFL bulbs are the ones that cost the least amount of money... I bought Great Values from Wally and they are working dandy.

stumpjumper, thanks for the tip - and for taking the time to write. Wal-Mart is down the street. You were able to find high enough wattage CFLs to satisfy your needs at Wal-Mart? If I may ask, what watt bulbs are you employing?

SirTitanium said:

stumpjumper, thanks for the tip - and for taking the time to write. Wal-Mart is down the street. You were able to find high enough wattage CFLs to satisfy your needs at Wal-Mart? If I may ask, what watt bulbs are you employing?

Click to expand...

Well I use a 42W (Had to buy at Menards) and the rest are 23W from Wallys.. Lots of 23's are the ticket..

Would you prefer four 23W or four 85W? I have space for four and available amperage for either wattage. Is there any reason not to use the 85W bulbs?

I would buy the adapters that turn one outlet into two and use 8 23w..