Lightbulbs

MikeVic · 05-01-2009, 01:40 PM

Ok, so I have a light in my kitchen that takes three bulbs. There are two existing bulbs in there that say 60watts, and one smaller one that doesn't have anything on it.

The 60watt bulbs have burned out, and I put in new 60watt bulbs... they don't work. So I tried 40watt, and that didn't work. So I tried one of those energy-efficient spiral ones... that didn't work.

So then I thought maybe I'm using the wrong type... everything I tried was an "A19" bulb, so I tried an "A15" bulb... got one to work, and the other didn't.

Is there a lightbulb expert on here that can help me out as to why it's so hard to find replacement bulbs?? I only have one of the A15s that worked, and it just doesn't make sense why other bulbs aren't working... A15s are apparently for like, stoves and ceiling fans too...

Dr. Sak · 05-01-2009, 01:46 PM

Are you sure there isn't a short?

MikeVic · 05-01-2009, 01:54 PM

No I'm not sure... how do I check for that?

Dr. Sak · 05-01-2009, 01:58 PM

Do you have a voltage gage? If so you can stick in in the bulb socket to see if there is current running to that particular one.

MikeVic · 05-01-2009, 02:00 PM

Why would one bulb work and the other wouldn't though? I can try that one "working" bulb again I guess. I know I tried the existing bulb and it worked in another of the three sockets.

I have one of those so I can try that too.

Dr. Sak · 05-01-2009, 02:02 PM

Oh I can almost guarantee there is a short. There are wires running from the main line to each of the bulbs...one of the wires must have a short in it.

MikeVic · 05-01-2009, 02:05 PM

Thanks I can try that.

And since I like threads with images, here's one:

sterlingice · 05-01-2009, 02:11 PM

That just sounds dangerous

SI

bbor · 05-01-2009, 02:25 PM

Stick your tongue in it.

flere-imsaho · 05-01-2009, 02:40 PM

Set the fixture on fire. You'll have light.

CU Tiger · 05-01-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

Oh I can almost guarantee there is a short. There are wires running from the main line to each of the bulbs...one of the wires must have a short in it.

there is almost zero chance you have a short,
a short should trip a breaker.
If anything you have an "open"

I can explain the theory later if anyone cares....

each of the sockets will have a lead coming of it tied to a single wire which will go up and be connected to the power supply in the house. Most likely the connection has become loose and the junction is broke.

turn the light switch off remove all three bulbs and take the fixture down. check the wires and if nothing is obvious take a picture and post it.

Do not attempt to test with a meter as suggested, the bottom of the receptacle is the "hot" and the outside edge is the "negative" sticking a meter in a light socket in all but the best trained hands will result in a tripped breakeer, a burned up meter lead and a possible shocked operator.

Poli · 05-01-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

there is almost zero chance you have a short,
a short should trip a breaker.
If anything you have an "open"

I can explain the theory later if anyone cares....

each of the sockets will have a lead coming of it tied to a single wire which will go up and be connected to the power supply in the house. Most likely the connection has become loose and the junction is broke.

turn the light switch off remove all three bulbs and take the fixture down. check the wires and if nothing is obvious take a picture and post it.

Do not attempt to test with a meter as suggested, the bottom of the receptacle is the "hot" and the outside edge is the "negative" sticking a meter in a light socket in all but the best trained hands will result in a tripped breakeer, a burned up meter lead and a possible shocked operator.

As an electronic technician, I agree with this post.

Fidatelo · 05-01-2009, 10:49 PM

CU Tiger basically wired my house. Listen to the man.

MikeVic · 05-05-2009, 12:41 PM

Well, I bought some "Reveal" 40-watt ceiling fan bulbs and they work in all three sockets. The existing bulb works in all three sockets too. I don't quite understand it, but maybe it's just picky with the type of bulb... it works right now so I think I'll just keep buying these "Reveal" bulbs.

edit: Thanks for all the help!

Dr. Sak · 05-05-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

each of the sockets will have a lead coming of it tied to a single wire which will go up and be connected to the power supply in the house. Most likely the connection has become loose and the junction is broke.

Thanks for correcting me. In my haste to post the (possible) solution I didn't word it correctly, but what you said was what I was trying to get at. Thanks for correcting me.

05-01-2009, 02:11 PM	#8
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	That just sounds dangerous SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

05-01-2009, 02:25 PM	#9
bbor Pro Starter Join Date: May 2001 Location: toronto	Stick your tongue in it. __________________ Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob.

05-01-2009, 10:49 PM	#13
Fidatelo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB	CU Tiger basically wired my house. Listen to the man. __________________ "Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime."

05-05-2009, 12:41 PM	#14
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Well, I bought some "Reveal" 40-watt ceiling fan bulbs and they work in all three sockets. The existing bulb works in all three sockets too. I don't quite understand it, but maybe it's just picky with the type of bulb... it works right now so I think I'll just keep buying these "Reveal" bulbs. edit: Thanks for all the help! Last edited by MikeVic : 05-05-2009 at 12:47 PM.

05-01-2009, 01:46 PM	#2
Dr. Sak Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA	Are you sure there isn't a short?

05-01-2009, 01:54 PM	#3
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	No I'm not sure... how do I check for that?

05-01-2009, 01:58 PM	#4
Dr. Sak Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA	Do you have a voltage gage? If so you can stick in in the bulb socket to see if there is current running to that particular one.

05-01-2009, 02:00 PM	#5
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Why would one bulb work and the other wouldn't though? I can try that one "working" bulb again I guess. I know I tried the existing bulb and it worked in another of the three sockets. I have one of those so I can try that too.

05-01-2009, 02:02 PM	#6
Dr. Sak Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA	Oh I can almost guarantee there is a short. There are wires running from the main line to each of the bulbs...one of the wires must have a short in it.

05-01-2009, 02:05 PM	#7
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Thanks I can try that. And since I like threads with images, here's one:

05-01-2009, 02:40 PM	#10
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	Set the fixture on fire. You'll have light.

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