In a basement bathroom, I installed three LED corn bulbs. They're the type sold on eBay direct from a manufacturer and have rows of LED's arranged in rows like a corn cob. I appreciate being able to buy these discounted energy saving bulbs, but they sometimes fail mysteriously. they're the same style, but from different manufacturers.
The three installed downstairs stopped shining brightly, and now glow only dimly when I turn on the power. After turning off the power, all three glow for a few seconds before fading out. The three outlets work fine for an incandescent bulb, so the outlet doesn't seem to be a problem. The basement switch is standard and not a dimmer dial or slide.
Has anyone else had corn bulbs break as a group like this? I'd like to install new ones, but don't want them to meet the same problem as these three.
My guesses:
- glitchy switch transmitted partial voltage while being switched on too slowly
- humidity from shower damaged inner circuits? Other LED's survived outdoors for years
- recent wind storm downed power lines, voltage spike damaged LED's
Best Answer
Direct sale eBay "finds" are not direct from a manufacturer, they're either factory seconds, counterfeits or built-to-be-cheap models. Even when "competing" products are offered by several "makers", they are often the same production hucked by several marketers or under several eBay aliases. In any case, they all "fell off a truck" in Shenzhen.
No reputable maker anywhere makes corncobs.
That's a big problem with awesome new technology: people who buy cheap, have a bad experience, and blame the technology.
Try it again with top shelf suppliers like Cree, GE, Sylvania, Siemens etc. Target frequently has GE LEDs on sale for as little as $3 each.