Such a thing as photo-cell porch lights?

A few months ago I had a photo cell controlled (dusk to dawn) flood light installed under the eaves (overhangs) at the backside of my house. The additional cost of the electricity (about $2 a month) is no problem. However the cost of replacement bulbs is a problem (about $12 each). They burn out after only two or three months at the most. The last one only lasted 23 days.

I'm thinking about installing a regular wall-mounted porch light and globe under the eaves. Porch light bulbs only cost about a buck and last for up to six months.

Does anyone know if porch light fixtures are available that can used in conjunction with a photocell? I don't want to install a switch in the back bedroom to turn it off and on, because I'd probably forget to turn it off and on anyway. And I don't want it to burn 24/7. I've searched the net but haven't found a simple photo-cell-controlled wall mounted porch light.

 

I think almost any photo cell could be used with almost any incandescent bulb. Your choices are practically limitless.

 

Exterior bulbs are often killed pre-maturely by weather, especially wind, and other movement that causes vibration which breaks the filament of an ordinary bulb. The solution is to use what is called a rough service bulb.

 

I use these at my house. They're only 35 watts but nearly as bright as the 100 watt incandescent fixture they replaced. Major power savings, built in photocell and the bulbs last for years.

http://www.foxelectricsupply.com/con...oductNo=WPTS35

 

Thank you for the tip. Seems to be exactly what I need. But rough service bulbs are hard to find. Home depot and Lowes have never heard of them and offer none for sell online. Did you order yours from foxelectric? I googled on rough service bulbs to learn about them and they sound great. Apparently they are like ordinary bulbs but they are much better constructed and hence last much, much longer than ordinary bulbs.

That being the case, it causes me to wonder why everyone doesn't use rough service bulbs? Maybe they are like me -- and can't find any?

An electrician told me yesterday, that flourescent flood lights are also available and they last a lot longer than regular incandescent bulbs and use less electricity.

Oh well, thanks to all for your replies and suggestions. I don't know what the solution is to my light bulb problem. All I know is can't afford to keep replacing flood light bulbs every two or three months at $10 to $12 a piece.

 

Rough-service bulbs are sold under a lot of different names, such as ceiling fan bulbs and garage door opener bulbs. Bulbs marked "130V" or "double-life" are also much sturdier bulbs. You may have better luck finding such bulbs at a smaller hardware store (such as Ace) than a large box store.

Rough-service bulbs cost more, and don't give as many lumens per watt as regular bulbs.

 

Thanks, I took your advice and shopped outside the "box." I went to an independent lighting store and bought two 75 watt 130 volt floodlight bulbs. Halco, 5,000 hours. The owner guaranteed them to last at least a year (12 hours per day, dusk to dawn).

In response to my query as to why everyone doesn't use 130 volt, longer life bulbs, he said most homeowners are not all that aware of such bulbs and will just keep on buying their familiar and regular bulbs. And light bulb manufacturers want shoppers to buy shorter lived bulbs because they have to buy a lot more of them since they don't last very long.

Thanks again. Learned a lot on this forum!