Mini Strip Bulb Question...

[jezthomp]

Couple of our under cupboard 221mm strip bulbs have gone, with one working remaining.


I bought a couple of replacements and they dont work, the only different being they are 230V rather than the 240V.


Same length, Wattage etc as the one remaining one that does work, just 230 not 240.


I've checked the connections by moving the one that does work round and it works in each one.


I'm assuming the voltage needs to be 240 and i cannot blag a 230 in there as its not working?


Thank you for any help

 

[Mark_Burgess]

Take them back, just because it they are new does not mean they cant be faulty, I had the same problem with new 58w T8's.

 

[jezthomp]

Hmm i dont think its that, i bought a pack of 5 (so i had some spare)

None of them worked, i then ordered some 240v and they sent me the same as above (230v) and they didnt work either.

So thats 7 230v ones none of them working

 

[DPG]

After changing the bulb 7 times I would suspect the fitting or the supply maybe??!

 

[jezthomp]

But the current working bulb of 240v works in all 3 of the light fittings?

 

[polo1]

Don't worry about the 230/240 volts issue. 230v is now the reference voltage for the main supply but can be +10%/-6%!.

What type/make of lamp is the current working one (detail any markings, numbers etc)? You have to ensure that the replacements are exactly the same physical length and if the ends have two pins, that the pins are the same size and length as the original, working one.

 

[DPG]

Apologies. Only half-concentrating! I've also had a couple of these faulty from new - they seem quite fragile. Were they all in the one box? Maybe it's been dropped?

If they're the standard filament type tube bulbs try a multimeter across the ends and see if they are open circuit.

Cheers, Daz

 

[jezthomp]

Ah an update.

I can get the bulbs to work if i push each end up slightly.

Basically the dimeter is not wide enough i think.

Comparing to the ones that work fine its a couple of mill maybe on 1mill larger than the ones that 'dont' work.

Surely there is only 1 type of end cap and its not changed that much?

God knows, i could order any and it could be too thin again

I've also found the fitting its this..

 

[telectrix]

obviously then a poor connection on the end caps. could just need bending a bit, with the supply OFF. it's the centre spring loaded contact that's not quite making contact with the lamp.

 

[jezthomp]

Well seemed to have solved the problem.

With a tiny bit of solder and end of a tiny screw i've managed to raise it up the necessary mill and all work fine now

 

[telectrix]

and that's applying common sense and a bit of ingenuity to the job.

 

[jezthomp]

I'm assuming a head of a tiny nail and solder between the silver/metal bit of the tube bulb and plastic light fitting wont cause a home made bomb or something?

They never on permanently just in evening when we're there anyway.

At least i have 5 spare bulbs now for when the others go!

 

[telectrix]

a slight advance on using the silver foil out of a smoke packet, i suppose.