Cresso
August 28th, 2007, 12:24 AM
About 9 months ago, I picked up three GE Helical 26w CFLs (http://genet.gelighting.com/LightProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=CONSUMERSPECPAGE&PRODUCTCODE=00262&BreadCrumbValues=General%20Purpose_Standard_,T3&ModelSelectionFilter=FT0010:General%20Purpose_Standard) to replace some 100w incandescent bulbs. The three bulbs are in three different fixtures in one room. They've worked brilliantly for the 9 months and I'm quite pleased with the light they put out.
Yesterday, I turned the lights on and one of them wouldn't come on. No flicker, nuthin. Figured that was an awfully short life for these supposed long-life bulbs, but maybe it was just a bad one. I replaced it with an incandescent and it came on fine, so I don't think the wiring is messed up.
Today, I turn on the same lights (still with one incandescent) and one of the two remaining CFLs briefly flickered, which I had never seen before. Seemed fine after that, so I turned away. Looked back after a minute or so and it's billowing smoke. I immediately turned it off.
Both bulbs look intact and normal. I found one thread online where several people had the same exact problem with the same bulbs (http://www.discovervancouver.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=142878). Anyone here have any experience? Can I try a different brand of CFL (and does anyone have a recommendation)? Or should I look into the wiring first, since these bulbs are apparently very picky about the voltage they receive?
Yesterday, I turned the lights on and one of them wouldn't come on. No flicker, nuthin. Figured that was an awfully short life for these supposed long-life bulbs, but maybe it was just a bad one. I replaced it with an incandescent and it came on fine, so I don't think the wiring is messed up.
Today, I turn on the same lights (still with one incandescent) and one of the two remaining CFLs briefly flickered, which I had never seen before. Seemed fine after that, so I turned away. Looked back after a minute or so and it's billowing smoke. I immediately turned it off.
Both bulbs look intact and normal. I found one thread online where several people had the same exact problem with the same bulbs (http://www.discovervancouver.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=142878). Anyone here have any experience? Can I try a different brand of CFL (and does anyone have a recommendation)? Or should I look into the wiring first, since these bulbs are apparently very picky about the voltage they receive?