The big compactor massacre

[fsjonsey]

Originally Posted by DENNYDOG

I have quite a few CFL's in my house and over the last couple years have had quite a few that last no longer the a standard incandescent bulb. I have reason to believe that after manufacturing and recycling costs they aren't saving anyone any money. It's just too bad that when these go bad they are probably getting thrown directly in the trash. Either people just don't care or they are too ignorant to know any better. And people wonder why the fish we catch in our lakes and ocean are laced with mercury. It's sad because flourescent bulbs have been around for a long time and I know people still smash them and throw them in the garbage when they go bad. You would think people should know they aren't supposed to do this. CFL's are no different. Take your pick, LAZY or IGNORANT. I don't think either is a good excuse.

Chinese companies are putting an unauthorized UL label on their cheap CFL lamps and selling them to bottom barrel discount stores, Dollar general, Biglots, etc. Some of these lamps have even been sold to name brands like sylvania, who were not aware of the questionable pedigree. They are known to melt, the thin glass envelopes explode, and have even caught fire.

I noticed that all CFL power supplies have a small iron core choke in them, i wonder if it could be used in homebrew power supplies?