Living room light bulbs short life.

[arcamalpha2003]

I read somewhere that over power is a major cause of blowing light bulbs.
For example, only a couple of weeks ago I replaced the light bulbs in our light/ fan fitting in our living room.
One day last week after switching the light on...pop goes another light bulb, is this down to poor quality bulbs, or is there some underlying factor?
This seems to be a regular occurence.
Your expert feedback much appreciated.
Bill

 

[breezer]

i wouldn't say expert just opinion.

Its a combination of both, "cheap" lamps and being in a fan. a coil causes a spike, when you switch it off (you may notice this at night if you have a flourescent light, you may see a bright spark at the switch as you turn it off) as a fan motor is essentaily a bunch of coils it generates a high voltage (for less then 0. something of a second)which then goes through the lamps shortening their life expectancey. also the vibration does not help

there is availaable a "work lamp" lamp that is very durable, screwfix used to have them but it would seem not any more. also lookout for coiled coil lamps they last a bit longer

 

[arcamalpha2003]

Thanks Breezer, any opinion is most welcome, and thinking about it now your opinion seems viable.
On the subject of the bulbs I placed in the holdes, they are "philips" bulbs,which I thought would be quite reliable, the only other thing or things it could be then is the vibrating factor of the fan or as you mentioned the motor.
Looks like one of the joys of having a fan/light fitting

 

[paulfromswindon]

Hiya,

I agree with Breezer, but just to add another posibility, is the shade on the light quite close-fitting around the bulb? In my experience the bulb will last less time in a fitting where the heat cannot escape - the cooler a bulb can stay, the longer it will last.

That said, the bulb should last for more than a few weeks. Has it happened since? I have had problems in the past like this, and it disappeared when I used different bulbs.

For double life bulbs try this: http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...ps_and_Tubes_Index/GLS_Double_Life/index.html

Or for Rough Service lamps try this: http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...amps_and_Tubes_Index/Rough_Service/index.html

This wholesaler is happy to sell to the General public, and they do mail order, I believe.

Take care

Paul

 

[Scoby_Beasley]

paul from swindon,
I'm about to put a fan light in our bedroom (tomorrow when her indoors p+ss+s off to Cyprus with the kids ) I know I'm gonna need to brace the ceiling somehow (house built by WOODROW, could do better with Lego meself) but would these bulbs fare better than the "long life/low energy" equivalent ? Must do something before she comes back or I'll have been partying all the time !!! (Que moi??)

 

[masona]

I'll have been partying all the time !!! (Que moi??)

How come we're not invited

 

[paulfromswindon]

scoby,

As for bracing the ceiling, the existing light is probably screwed to a joist, anyway - if you do the same it won't need bracing, just ensure yours is screwed through the palsterboard into the wooden joist.

If your existing light is just screwed into plasterboard between two joists, get a piece of 2" x 2" timber, and run it between the two joists above the light (against the top of the ceiling) and nail it to the joists - you'll probably need to cut a notch or hole in it for the wires (or run one piece of wood each side of the wires) - then screw up through the plasterboard into the wood.

As for the bulbs, I doubt the bulbs above would last anywhere near as long as the low energy ones, but they are supposed to have quite good life, certainly longer than normal bulbs, and they would probably cope with any vibration. I know I should not say this as a sparks but I hate low energy bulbs and don't use them, I think the light from them is grim ( I use either low-voltage or normal lights at home). I would just try normal or low energy bulbs first and see how they go. Try the double life or rough service ones if you have problems. I've never heard of the problems with fanlight bulbs blowing quckly before today, but in fairness I don't have any in my house!!

In bedrooms, the light isn't usually on for long anyway, so bulbs usually last longer in those rooms. I've been married twelve years, so I rarely do anything in my bedroom that I may need the light on for

Enjoy your partying anyway - save us all a beer!

Cheers

Paul

 

[Scoby_Beasley]

How come we're not invited

ANYTIME !!

 

[paulfromswindon]

By the way, if you do go for one of the bulbs I suggested above, I'd try the double life one first. I have a vague recollection that someone once told me rough service lamps don't give out as much light for the wattage. I can't say whether this is true though, I guess it's trial and error...

Cheer

P

 

[Scoby_Beasley]

I've been married twelve years, so I rarely do anything in my bedroom that I may need the light on for

You found your way round then ?? say no more ,eh eh?

 

[arcamalpha2003]

How come we're not invited

ANYTIME !!

Just bring your own lightbulb !

 

[arcamalpha2003]

Hiya Paul,
Thanks a lot for the reply and the links you provided, I will certainly have a look later.
However, you could be on the right track with what you said about the gap between the bulb and shade, or it could be just coincidence, but I checked the gap between the bulb which has blown and the shade, and there does seem a bit of a problem there, the other 2 bulbs which are still working both have a good gap around them.
Thanks a lot matey.
Bill.

 

[breezer]

If i bring this can i come for a beer or two?

 

[breezer]

If i bring this can i come for a beer or two?

you may also want to see (humor) this

 

[masona]

Nice try Breezer's but I think we're going to have to accept we are not invited