Flashing energy saving lightbulb.

[McJamweasel]

As per the title really, the energy saver in the landing light flashes after its turned off. The longer its been on for, the brighter it flashes and the longer it goes on, I assume that this means its a capacitor discharging or similar. Is it a problem? If I just carry on ignoring it (which is easy as the light isn't on for very long very often) is it going to kill kittens and eat babies or will it be OK?
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[CRAZY_BIKER]

How long does this go on for ?

[McJamweasel]

Not long, a few minutes.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[CRAZY_BIKER]

HAHA! That is mental !

[Stelmer]

Strange, I use eco bulbs everywhere and never experienced this.

Is the bulb blackened when lit (where the electrodes are)?

I have had loads of cheap ones burn themselves out in a few months

[Itchy]

its normal if you keep them long enough, I had a few from the 90s , used as stairwell lights , they would do the same on and off , all these energy saving bulbs are I reckon are just floresent tubes but in bent glass, and anybody who has those floresent tubes knows the starters die after a few years of use, since starters are non replacable in these things you have to chuck them.

Also due to such things they are not as tolerant as std bulbs in places like toilets where the bulb is on many times but only for a short while.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Walloper]

THIS THREAD IS USELESS WITHOUT PHOTOGRAPHS!
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[Stelmer]

[Ichy]

I've got one outside thats been doing it for two years. I personally don't think its down to starters, I put it down to the loop wiring, you know, like how you can light up a florescent tube by touching it?

[carvell]

Mine does exactly that too.

Guess it's just as they get old or something.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[leiba1]

i have exactly the same thing so I contacted the bulb makers. This is the reply I got.

"There is actually no fault with your electrics. Unfortunately with the old style of energy saver lamps this phenomenen can occur where the lights are on a 2 way circuit. between the 2 switches used there are 2 strapper cables one of which will always have a voltage going down it. This voltage is induced onto the other strapper and your lamp is seeing it trying to ignite but ultimately switching off again as there is no current flowing.

Richard Kellaway
Philips Lighting Technical
Tel 01483 29 3258
Fax 01483 29 8822 "

Still seems odd though.

[Ichy]

Thats what I said, sort of

[mr.z]

[iCraig]

Never heard of it happening, but we have a energy saver thats 11 years old and still working!

Also don't break Energy Savers Mr Z, they contain mercury!

[Finglonga]

[garyd]

And here lies the trap.....its not well known that each flash clocks up around £3 worth of leccy used........repeated flashing is clocked up at the power of 4 so you my friend are looking at a hefty bill...................................probably! you didnt think "energy saving" was aimed at you /us did you ??its a government ploy
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CRF230 all you need

[Walloper]

[Stelmer]

Eco lamps have no starters in them. They are started electronically. A 7w eco lamp will actually draw around 5w when warmed up.

The only ones to have starters are the ones with a removable bulb
like the butterfly ones.

Conventional fluorescent lamps do use more elecc than what it says on the tube though.

A 18w 2ft fluorescent lamp uses 30w. it starts off at about 10w and rises once the tube is energised.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

The one in my bedroom does it too, a little strange but I can't say I stay awake at night worrying about it.