Halogen light problems - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Craven Morehead · 12-17-2005, 06:18 PM

The halogen ceiling light in the basement keeps blowing 'bulbs'. The bulbs are about the size of a pencil - tube like, 150w. Hardly use the light and the bulbs only last about two weeks. Obviously, something else is wrong, what should I be looking for?

thanks

macmanmike6100 · 12-17-2005, 07:59 PM

Has this problem just started, or has this been going on since the installation of the light? is it overheating (halogens, as you probably know, run really hot)?

What about the quality of the bulbs? Are they from the same manufacturer?

Beyond that, I would look at the fixture itself...maybe the transformer is simply not working probably.

Scorpion23 · 12-17-2005, 08:18 PM

Another thing to check is moisture accumulation in the fixture. Perhaps water condensing on the ceiling?

Craven Morehead · 12-17-2005, 10:05 PM

The light was installed about 5 years ago, the tubes just started blowing out in the last two months. Since it worked for the longest time w/o problem I doubt if its heat related. Forget the manufacturer of the tube, but its a name brand, Sylvania maybe.

The light is seldom on for a very long period of time. Rare if its more than an hour at a time. We're seldom in the basement.

No condensation in the area.

thingstodo · 12-18-2005, 04:51 PM

I had a problem with a regular light that took a certain kind of bulb. I finally figured out I was purchasing new bulbs from the same store, same brand, probably the same defect. I went to a different store and haven't had the problem any more.

Cynthetiq · 12-18-2005, 05:59 PM

also make sure not to touch the bulb the oil from skin heats up and busts the bulb.

Craven Morehead · 12-18-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

also make sure not to touch the bulb the oil from skin heats up and busts the bulb.

Good advice, I know I touched the bulbs with my fingers when installing them, however they show no signs of being burnt or burst. The bulbs look fine.

I'm afraid this may be the culprit....

Quote:

maybe the transformer is simply not working probably.

dlish · 01-05-2006, 02:38 AM

i'd go with cynth on this one..if you tyouch the bulb with your fingers you can kiss your bulb goodbye.

tell us how you go

clavus · 01-05-2006, 01:13 PM

one more vote for the "don't touch it" answer.

I speak from experience.

Hard8s · 01-18-2006, 07:06 PM

Check the outlet with a volt meter, you may have a bad ballast in there now, and it is supplying the wrong voltage to the light. Also try a piece of tissue of paper towel when you install the new bulb to keep you from touching it. You will not see the problem but the oils form your hands will cause localized heating.

p.s. If you don't know how to safely check the outlet with a voltmeter, find someone who does. It's not worth it if it kills you. you can always hire an electrician to come check it out for you.

shakran · 01-18-2006, 07:11 PM

Touching the bulb will create a hotspot on the bulb. The glass will generally darken, warp, or even crack/puncture at the spot where you touched it. The fact that the bulb looks fine tells me that it's probably not you touching it.

What brand of bulbs are you using? A lot of people use Abco/Westinghouse because they're cheap. I call them flashbulbs. Which is somewhat unfair because camera flashbulbs often last longer

Bulbs by Sylvania tend to be decently reliable.

If that doesn't work, it could be a heat generation problem in your light. Poorly designed (cheap) hallogen lights can trap so much heat that it damages the bulb.

What kind of bulbs are we talking here? Long, thin, with metal contact points on either end, screw in, 2-prong, what?

Gary Goodman · 01-26-2006, 03:05 PM

bad fixture I think. i'd replace the fixture as the cost of a new one may be cheaper than a repair. buying lights at a home centre is a crap-shoot. go to a lighting store and ask some questions.

Craven Morehead · 03-16-2006, 07:23 PM

thanks for all the responses, it seems to be working fine now.

I was extremely careful to not touch the bulb when I replaced it. So far, so good.

12-17-2005, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Craven Morehead Custom User Title	Halogen light problems The halogen ceiling light in the basement keeps blowing 'bulbs'. The bulbs are about the size of a pencil - tube like, 150w. Hardly use the light and the bulbs only last about two weeks. Obviously, something else is wrong, what should I be looking for? thanks

12-18-2005, 04:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I had a problem with a regular light that took a certain kind of bulb. I finally figured out I was purchasing new bulbs from the same store, same brand, probably the same defect. I went to a different store and haven't had the problem any more. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

12-18-2005, 05:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	also make sure not to touch the bulb the oil from skin heats up and busts the bulb. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

01-05-2006, 02:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
dlish Currently sour but formerly Dlishs Super Moderator Location: Australia/UAE	i'd go with cynth on this one..if you tyouch the bulb with your fingers you can kiss your bulb goodbye. tell us how you go __________________ An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay? - Filthy

01-05-2006, 01:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
clavus pow! Location: NorCal	one more vote for the "don't touch it" answer. I speak from experience. __________________ Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

12-17-2005, 07:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
macmanmike6100 High Honorary Junkie Location: Tri-state.	Has this problem just started, or has this been going on since the installation of the light? is it overheating (halogens, as you probably know, run really hot)? What about the quality of the bulbs? Are they from the same manufacturer? Beyond that, I would look at the fixture itself...maybe the transformer is simply not working probably.

12-17-2005, 08:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scorpion23 Psycho	Another thing to check is moisture accumulation in the fixture. Perhaps water condensing on the ceiling?

12-17-2005, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Craven Morehead Custom User Title	The light was installed about 5 years ago, the tubes just started blowing out in the last two months. Since it worked for the longest time w/o problem I doubt if its heat related. Forget the manufacturer of the tube, but its a name brand, Sylvania maybe. The light is seldom on for a very long period of time. Rare if its more than an hour at a time. We're seldom in the basement. No condensation in the area.

01-18-2006, 07:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Hard8s Addict Location: Wherever I am!	Check the outlet with a volt meter, you may have a bad ballast in there now, and it is supplying the wrong voltage to the light. Also try a piece of tissue of paper towel when you install the new bulb to keep you from touching it. You will not see the problem but the oils form your hands will cause localized heating. p.s. If you don't know how to safely check the outlet with a voltmeter, find someone who does. It's not worth it if it kills you. you can always hire an electrician to come check it out for you. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, then wipe this smile off my face! Last edited by Hard8s; 01-18-2006 at 07:07 PM.. Reason: adding caution statement

01-18-2006, 07:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	Touching the bulb will create a hotspot on the bulb. The glass will generally darken, warp, or even crack/puncture at the spot where you touched it. The fact that the bulb looks fine tells me that it's probably not you touching it. What brand of bulbs are you using? A lot of people use Abco/Westinghouse because they're cheap. I call them flashbulbs. Which is somewhat unfair because camera flashbulbs often last longer Bulbs by Sylvania tend to be decently reliable. If that doesn't work, it could be a heat generation problem in your light. Poorly designed (cheap) hallogen lights can trap so much heat that it damages the bulb. What kind of bulbs are we talking here? Long, thin, with metal contact points on either end, screw in, 2-prong, what?

01-26-2006, 03:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
Gary Goodman Upright	bad fixture I think. i'd replace the fixture as the cost of a new one may be cheaper than a repair. buying lights at a home centre is a crap-shoot. go to a lighting store and ask some questions.

03-16-2006, 07:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
Craven Morehead Custom User Title	thanks for all the responses, it seems to be working fine now. I was extremely careful to not touch the bulb when I replaced it. So far, so good.