> I believe they do. Maybe the step down transformer
> does a lot to reduce turn on current at phase peak
> due to it's inductance, and probably reduces startup
> current quite a bit due to saturation limits of its
> core and windings. I've never used them, but friends
> have and I have never heard mention of short bulb
> life. :o)
> -Roman

Halogens came up last time there was a long talk about dimming.
Don't recall anything said about life-time as such, but I have this
vague recollection of if you run them too cold for the evaporate-
condense cycle to work properly it can affect long-term operation.
And dimming is off the menu because of the temperature drop

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