CFL bulb size problem

UncommonName on 24/06/2014 - 15:20

Last night my lounge room incandescent bulb got fused and I bought 20w spiral cfl twin pack from ALDI. But when I tried to install the bulb, the casing seemed too small for the new bulb. I contacted the rental agent and she told me I should put in the previous type/model of bulb, and the landlord will not send a technician to remove the cover/casing.

Pics of casing:
http://imgur.com/GMQA4ue
http://imgur.com/qWNF4j1

Is there any small size spiral cfl bulb available that can fit inside the cover? Or any other type bulbs that can? I do not like the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs, I prefer cfl.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • pjetson on 24/06/2014 - 16:57

    What rating was the incandescent bulb that you removed?

    If a CFL will not fit, the only other options are a halogen bulb (same size/shape as an incandescent bulb, but hotter) or an LED lamp (some are the same sise/shape as an incandescent, but they're expensive).

    Basically, though, neither CFL nor LED lamps are intended for enclosed fittings, and halogen probably aren't either. If it wasn't a rental, I'd put a new light fitting in, using a T5 circular fluorescent tube.

    • UncommonName on 24/06/2014 - 21:42

      That was a 42 watt bulb. But I need something stronger, 60-80 watt. That's why I bought the 20 watt cfl.

      • pjetson on 24/06/2014 - 21:46

        42 watt sounds like a halogen bulb already. Being in an enclosed fitting is probably why it blew. CFL sounds like your only real option.

        • UncommonName on 24/06/2014 - 22:01

          I think any cfl bulb of this size will fit there - http://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/871016321151010/tornado-5-w-30-…

          Any idea about the availability of this size?

        • pjetson on 24/06/2014 - 22:19

          I've not seen those anywhere. Why don't you ring Philips and ask them? 1300 304 404 seems to be their phone number.

        • UncommonName on 25/06/2014 - 06:13

          Which one is better, halogen or CFL? I need something with 1000 lumen, preferably 5000k.

        • pjetson on 25/06/2014 - 08:58

          5000k is (I believe) "cool daylight". Halogen is much more yellow, which I think you said you didn't like. If you've become used to cool daylight lighting, it'll be tough to get used to yellow lighting again.

          CFL will be much more expensive than halogen, but consume less power.

          CFL (in my opinion) consumes about 25% of the power of an incandescent globe for the same light output. Some manufacturers say 20%, but I think that's a bit generous. So, multiply the CFL watt rating by four (or five) to get the equivalent incandescent rating.

          I think halogen lamps are supposed to provide about a third more light output than normal incandescent globes, but they burn hotter, which means that they are not as suitable for enclosed fittings.

          CFL globes also run hot, and are also not recommended for enclosed fittings. There's also the issue, as you've found, that they are physically larger around the fitting end and may be too big for some fittings.

          Give Philips a ring and see if they sell those smaller CFL globes in Australia. My guess would be no (I've called them in the past about interesting Philips globes that I've heard of), but only they can tell you for sure.

        • UncommonName on 25/06/2014 - 09:40

          Philips is too pricey. I have found one here but its only 5w, need 15-20w. - http://www.bunnings.com.au/globe-spiral-cfl-philips-5w-bc-t2…

          I would be happy to get a cheap one from any brand.

        • pjetson on 25/06/2014 - 10:09

          Then buy a cheap one from any brand!

          I thought your problem was that CFLs would not fit. If Philips is the only brand that will fit, and they're available, then the price they're asking is what you have to pay.

        • UncommonName on 25/06/2014 - 10:42

          Yes its the size that I'm stuck on. I'll go to bunnings today to see if they have any 15-20w extra small cfl. Otherwise I have to buy some Halogen :(

          What about some cheap small LED at the size of my fused bulb? Can they be used in enclosed casing?

  • hangdog on 24/06/2014 - 17:19

    Bring the blown bulbs with you to Bunnings or wherever offers a decent choice of CFLs. We also had size constraints when replacing incandescents with CFLs in our semi flush mount ceiling lights. You just have to figure out the nearest equivalent in brightness, that will still fit.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2014 - 18:32

    Remove the light fitting yourself. Usually you just turn the piece at the bottom and whilst holding the cover and then it will come off. Make sure you have removed the lightbulb before you do this.

    I bought the Oscam LED bulbs from Bunnings and I had this problem. Eventually I decided to change all my light fittings to something that would fit more bulbs universally as it was just a cheap plastic cover.

    Put the light fitting aside, preferably somewhere safe where it will not be damaged. You can reinstall it once you complete your rental lease.

    • UncommonName on 24/06/2014 - 21:40

      That's not an option. The light fittings can not be removed at all, the rental agent has regular inspection and will not allow this.

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