[TheForge] OT: Government waste

[jerry Frost]

The GVT mandate to switch to CFLs was . . . blankety blank thinking. Their
own standards for haz mat disposal made cleaning up after a single broken
CFL cost thousands. 

On the gripping claw I love LEDs, I've been changing all the lights in the
house out for LEDs as the incandescents burn out. The ceiling fixtures in
the living room are rated for two 40 watt bulbs max, with LEDs I get the
equivalent of 2oo watts for 36 draw. 

The first two LED strip lights I hung in the shop cost $53 each but are the
equivalent of two 40 watt fluorescents for under 15 draw, they're BRIGHT HOT
white and don't care what the temp is. I went out at -22f one morning just
to see and they came on as soon as I flipped the switch. The price has come
down significantly since I bought the first two, now I can get the same
thing for $20 apiece. 

I do prefer my old incandescents where I want the heat like in the old (yard
sale) dorm fridge I keep welding rod in, one 25 watt bulb keeps it a nice
90f on cold days. I know it's not industry spec for keeping welding rod to
certification but I haven't needed to make a weld to pass inspection or do a
job safety depended on for years so the hot fridge is good enough.

Frosty.