Mike Hawkshaw writes:

> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jinx"
> Subject: Re: [OT] 240-volt Power
> > Also, adding a series resistor can increase bulb life significantly
> > http://home.clear.net.nz./pages/joecolquitt/0bulblife.html
> 
> Jinx, that is brilliant, thanks for sharing. I have been thinking along
> similar lines but using an auto transformer to drop the supply to the whole
> lighting circuit by a similar amount. The series resistor is such a simple
> low cost idea that it would be almost daft to not try it.

Unfortunately, this is not without it's downside.  Not only does it
reduce the brightness of hte bulb, but it reduces the *efficiency* of
the bulb as well -- the filaments are more efficient at converting
electricity into visible light at higher temperatures.

While this may be a penny-wise solution in terms of bulb cost, it
could very well be pound-foolish in terms of electricity cost.

-p.
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