FIRST Fundraiser: Selling LED "Lightbulbs"

[Ether]

Originally Posted by TD912

The main problems with these LEDs is the lumen output, which is about half of a 60w incandescent bulb, and the price due to the new tech.

I believe that's exactly what I said in my post. Sounds like we agree.

The "Made in China" factor is debatable, although most of Cree's LEDs are made in the US.

Last time I checked, all the CFLs on the shelves were made in China. There's no need to debate. If you come across any CFLs made in the US I will stand corrected.

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by Ether

Last time I checked, all the CFLs on the shelves were made in China. There's no need to debate. If you come across any CFLs made in the US I will stand corrected.

Lights of America designs lights that are made in the US for the US. Thats kind of their "calling card"

Made in USA: http://www.esplighting.com/2814s-4vp.html

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Brandon Holley

Lights of America designs lights that are made in the US for the US. Thats kind of their "calling card"

Made in USA: http://www.esplighting.com/2814s-4vp.html

Read the fine print:

we are a manufacturer's representative of US & China made lighting products by a company called Lights of America

[Robert Cawthon]

Two comments. First, can one of the moderators move this to the General Forum? It seems to me that it has matured out of the rumor stage and would be better served there.

Second, since I tend to be cynical and don't trust venders very much, I wouldn't feel comfortable selling these bulbs for any reason until I have tried them out for a year or two. My experience with LED lights has not been very good. I have no problem selling Worlds Finest Chocolate for a buck a bar since I have 'tested to the extreme' and found them worthy of trust. I just don't have the trust for a brand I am not familiar with and a general product I have not had success with. Sorry!

[IndySam]

Lowe's has 8w Sylvanias at $19.98 now

[Ether]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Lowe's has 8w Sylvanias at $19.98 now

Is that the regular price or a special sale price ?

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Ether

Is that the regular price or a special sale price ?

new lower price

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by IndySam

new lower price

That could be problemmatic to the fundraiser...

On the other topic:

The electrical grid in the US is all interconnected, so the aggregate energy usage of those who live in areas powered by nuclear energy still has an impact on fossil fuel usage at large.

It would also have a net effect on cost for that nuclear energy specifically.

(Of course, nothing ever being as simple as it seems, if we all switched all of our lighting to LEDs, it's quite possible that the depressed demand and resulting depressed cost of energy would result in more fossil fuels being used... I'm not an expert on the economic interconnectivity and the long-range ramifications of a switch to ultra-high efficiency lighting.)

[Ether]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

On the other topic:

The electrical grid in the US is all interconnected, so the aggregate energy usage of those who live in areas powered by nuclear energy still has an impact on fossil fuel usage at large.

You raise an excellent point, but I think it's a bit more complicated than that. For example, is there a radius beyond which the transmission losses make it too inefficient to export/import power on a continuing (non-emergency) basis?

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by Ether

...but I think it's a bit more complicated than that.

It always, always, always is.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

The electrical grid in the US is all interconnected, so the aggregate energy usage of those who live in areas powered by nuclear energy still has an impact on fossil fuel usage at large.)

Sort of. The United States actually has three independent electric grids that aren't connected to each other. There have been proposals to build a super-conducting hub to connect the three to allow for better utilization of potential wind farms in the Great Plains. Other proposals have been made to build new super-conducting transmission lines along railroads; electric companies benefit from having a clear right of way and railroads benefit from electrification.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

Sort of.

Yeah, I know. Please refer to my previous post!

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Lowe's has 8w Sylvanias at $19.98 now

I think that is OK, the spin is: For one more penny, you can support an awesome robotics team, and save the hassle of going to Lowe's to buy your bulbs. Or you can save a penny at Lowe's... your call.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by rsisk

I think that is OK, the spin is: For one more penny, you can support an awesome robotics team, and save the hassle of going to Lowe's to buy your bulbs. Or you can save a penny at Lowe's... your call.

I think I've read all the literature, and I can't find anywhere that says what is the lowest price you are allowed to sell those $6 bulbs for. Anybody know ?

[rsisk]

@Ether I've read the documents too and the best I can tell, the $19.99 is a suggested price but teams can choose whatever price they want to sell the bulbs for.