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[Debs.]

I`ve got a Maytag (American) fridge freezer; it`s one I brought back with me when I relocated back to the U.K......internally, it`s all 120 volt but with a 230-120 v. line transformer underneath.
It must be 25 years old now and with all the original lamps.....even the one in the water/ice dispenser; which I use as a night-light and which also turns on and off each time the ice or water solenoid activates; so how many times that`s been on and off, the Lord only knows.

Yet, I`ve got dichroic 12v. downlighters in the bathroom, which I`m lucky to get 6 months use from before they blow :-/

Why is it that some filament lamps, seemingly last for ever and yet others (even quality ones) seem to have oddly short lives? :-?

[TheBoy]

In my house, when a bulb blows, it takes the trip with it. A PITA.  Had one go a couple of hours ago, and I'd moved the torch when I was playing with alcohol and fireworks last night

[Andy B]

In my house, when a bulb blows, it takes the trip with it. A PITA.  .....

Same here 

[TheBoy]

In my house, when a bulb blows, it takes the trip with it. A PITA.  .....

Same here 

Happening less and less as I slowly replace the tinkers with low energy ones

[tidla]

screwfix have an array of these bulbs for sale. heard similar stories to yours so bought the most expensive. 12 months so far.. 


(ting)..

ps my brother buys cheap car ebay bulbs which i change regular.   (2 months max)
my van has headlight bulbs used in my old carlton!

[Varche]

One of my pet hates is the life of bulbs. I have a peculiar mix of Englsh bayonet lamps and Spanish screw in jobs. On top of that I also have an array of "low energy" bulbs.


Just about everything you buy has a different type of light bulb. I never have one the right wattage or type when they blow and they do regularly. When old bulbs were phased out I went to buy a box full of 100Watt screw fitting lights only to find that our local "pound euro shop had been burned down the night before by Gypsies caught on CCTV.

The electric supply here is rubbish. We have 3 phase to get 5.5 Kw to the house. One of the phases is only 174 volts. The system spikes regularly for no reason. The naked light hbulb in the garage is the same one fitted by last owner in 1996.

[tidla]

osram in the best you can afford.ebay of net is the best source.watt an easy solution to a filimentual problem.

[Mr Skrunts]

I had a 7w LE bulb fitted in a table lamp, it was in use 24 hours a day as a bit of a security light.

The bulb blew last year but must have been in use since about a year after they were on sale.

[BigAl]

I`ve got a Maytag (American) fridge freezer; it`s one I brought back with me when I relocated back to the U.K......internally, it`s all 120 volt but with a 230-120 v. line transformer underneath.
It must be 25 years old now and with all the original lamps.....even the one in the water/ice dispenser; which I use as a night-light and which also turns on and off each time the ice or water solenoid activates; so how many times that`s been on and off, the Lord only knows.

Yet, I`ve got dichroic 12v. downlighters in the bathroom, which I`m lucky to get 6 months use from before they blow :-/

Why is it that some filament lamps, seemingly last for ever and yet others (even quality ones) seem to have oddly short lives? :-?

why do i see Debs as the basis for Rambo

[Chris_H]

You do get the odd bulb that refuses to die but I often struggle to notice the new energy-efficient CCF lamps being any better despite the specified life expectancy figures.

With filament lamps, switch-on surge and physical vibration while 'on' are the biggest problems if installed correctly.

My Senator and Omega both had extremely long life of all bulbs which I put down to the series sensors that would limit the switch-on surge.

I suspect that the dichroic halogen lamps are probably driven harder to get a whiter light.  That would make them more vulnerable.

[Richie London]

i had 3 bulbs go last week and they are £12 for a pk of 5. mind you lasted for about 3 yrs.  but i have a time controlled clock that i have had for about 15 years and only changed the AAA batteries 3 times 

[Kevin Wood]

You do get the odd bulb that refuses to die but I often struggle to notice the new energy-efficient CCF lamps being any better despite the specified life expectancy figures.

Yep, I suspect their advantages over filament lamps have been exaggerated in all areas. The political classes believed them and they got the outcome they wanted though.

I suspect that the dichroic halogen lamps are probably driven harder to get a whiter light.  That would make them more vulnerable.

This is exactly what the addition of a halogen to the gas in the envelope allows. The filament can be run hotter without evaporation of the tungsten shortening life excessively.

I used to have a load of GU10 mains voltage halogen bulbs and they were hopeless. Low voltage ones are better IME. A Bulb designed to work on 12v will have a much thicker filament than a 230v example, which will give longer life at the expense of some efficiency, all other things being equal (Maybe voltage is a factor in Debs' 'fridge light?). I suspect driving them from a transformer limits the inrush current when they are switched on too.

Kevin