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Comment by danielvf | Hacker News Reader

I've had two Cree brand LED bulbs melt apart and blow fire. I was glad to be around so I could get them shut down. And a little terrier afterwords of what could have happened. I've had at least three Walmart brand LED bulbs that have lasted less than a couple months. (No fires though!)

Surely I'm not the only one seeing this kind of failure rate?

I'm making a personal collection of the failed LED bulbs for future purchasing decision....

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It's worth mentioning that Cree are the company that make the actual LED, and they are used in a huge spectrum of low to high quality products. Cheap Chinese manufacturers often buy these LEDs, and put them behind really cheap electronics, then sell them with a generic name including "Cree" in the brand (or -fire, for flashlights). The lumen output can also be widely inaccurate.

So if you do end up buying more online, you should be wary.

These were actual Cree brand bulbs, in Cree boxes, bought from a big box store, and I talked to Cree customer support after the problem. They sent me replacements but in fear I've never installed the replacements.

It sounds like you have more serious problems here, better check your electric installation. I have cheap Chinese LED bulbs from eBay and even they shine happily after >2 years now.

Yeah, I have probably have 25 LED bulbs in the house. I've so far only had troubles with two brands

Out of curiosity though, what kind of electrical problem would disproportionately affect LEDs?

LED bulbs have drivers (usually AC to constant current converter) integrated so they should stabilize power themselves. My guess would be that there might be high voltage spikes that managed to burn a driver. Another possibility, that just came to my mind -- LED's, especially high power ones like Creed, become very hot, maybe your bulb slot is very tight and isolated and there's not enough room to dissipate the excess heat?

The LEDs are working great, the halogen went explody. I have no problems with the LED.

My answer was dedicated to danielvf's comment.

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