Replace Fluorescent Light Fixtures?

Yeah I got four with U tubes over a spiral stairwell. With little to no room to swing them open to replace the bulbs. Been looking for alternative lighting. These lights stay on 24/7.

An interesting set of questions.

Many electronic devices exhibit "infant mortality" ie they fail early in use or they keep going forever. But like many of these problems it's impossible to assign a rating/probability to the events and desirability of each outcome, so the correct course of action isn't obvious.

If it was at work where safety is paramount and I'd be spending someone else's money I'd replace everything. At home I'd wait to see if it happened again.

I'm a bit mystified about the statement "The Bible has almost nobody's full name in it". How would a holy book help you decide what the best course would be?

Best of luck with the dating. ffeJ

My dear people.... I too have struggled in the past with odd fluorescent lighting, well, pretty much any type of electrical lighting, but I must tell you something positive.

It is now becoming the era of the LED. It's been around for a while, but not like this...

We are capable of replacing our existing problemsome, costly lighting that may have higher upstart costs, but provide just as much light with longer shelf lives, and lower power consumption.

I am currently implementing LED lighting systems, and have embarked on a quest to power decently sized systems by solar power. Now the fun begins...

http://csoulpro.com/New.html

Yours is a great answer, for areas of my home that my wife ignores. My wife wants "nice" fixtures, not shop lights, for living areas. The NIV Bible (Colossians 3:19) says, "Husbands, love your wives (one wife per husband) and do not be harsh with them". Therefore, I am more likely to live successfully to not get cheap looking fixtures using straight 4 foot fluorescent bulbs.

Your answer would cost $110 per fixture. It is unlikely to ever be worthwhile to switch fixtures. $100 buys a lot of inefficient circuline bulbs at 15 cents/KWH.

Questions:

1. Is it reasonable the new (Phillips brand) circuline bulbs will be replaced free if I fax the manufacturer with the receipt within the next 4 years (they have a 4 year warranty)?

2. Is it best to buy fixtures using incadescent light bulbs and use spherical fluorescent bulbs ($1 each) that burn 23 watts and illuminate like 100 watt incadescent bulbs? I have a 75% chance I can get fixtures ($15/fixture) before the circuline bulbs burn out if I start looking now.

Jesus said - "Who so ever shall profess Me before men," i.e., confess his love not merely by his words, but by everything he does.

If my wife liked the current fixtures I'd keep them and suck up the cost. On the other hand if could I'd find something more economical at www.jkllamps.com possibly LED, then build an enclosure with decorative style and be done with it.

It may or may not be the bulb itself that is causing this problem. The ballast may be bad.

All lamps have rated lifes. These are based on averages and of course some falter early.

I'd recommend changing the bulb first. If that fails early, check the ballast or find an alternative fixture.

The replacement bulbs have worked for over a week. If the ballast is bad, would the replacement bulbs work this long?

often these small lamps have ballasts rated 14-21W or some such range. If the bulb is 14 watt, the ballast may over drive it and allow excess current, which will drastically shorten the life of the lamp.

Why is this done? bad design or ?? Of course, I may be wrong, suggest you read the ballast raing and compare to bulb rating. Solution...? are there bigger bulbs in terms opf watts you can buy with the same fit?

These things are sent to try us...