Pesky Energy Saving Bulbs

[angryjonny]

Right so I've just bought a new house and the outside light at the front has one of those 4-pin energy saving fittings in it. The bulb is too bright and I want to swap it for a dimmer one. Here's where the fun starts. I bought a smaller bulb and, spot the obvious problem:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/angryjonny/bulbs_zps4dd72131.jpg

New bulb on the left, old bulb on the right. The plastic teeth on the side are in different places on each bulb. There are gaps in the holder for the teeth to slot into. The old bulb fits, the new one doesn't.

Is there a reason why they've done this? Is it unsafe to fit a 10w bulb where there was an 18w one? Or can I just file the teeth off the new bulb and shove it in there?

for sensible answers, ta.

I've done a quick Google but I don't really know how to ask the question in a few words.

[Sako]

Just stick a candle in it.

[Marmalade]

File off the tabs so it'll fit in.

10w in place of a 18 will be fine.
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[angryjonny]

Ta. Thought so. Just seems an odd thing to do - like they really don't want me using any other bulb.

[Suntan Sid]

[swampy]

Cut the fitting off, replace by standard bayonet fitting, use whatever bulb you like, profit ??
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[angryjonny]

It isn't so much a light fitting as much as bulb holder inside a daylight-sensing lantern unit, so it'd mean chucking the whole lantern. Anyway. I've filed the tabs off the bulb now so when I get a chance I'll plug it in and away we go.

I still don't get why they make them like this though. Needlessly contrary.

[Marmalade]

It'll all be down to electrical safety bullshit, since we all know you are likely to be killed changing to different wattage bulbs.

Plus the retard factor of the populace, if it won't fit then they can go back and change it for the item the should have bought.
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[benyboy]

hi im a sparky, yeah there is a reason for this, without going into it too much, the light fitting is for ie 18w and no more no less.
like said in the previous post, remove lamp holder and replace with what ever you want, 230V mind.
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Get out of the way, you dithering fool

[Marmalade]

[angryjonny]

[groovylee]

Won't cause you any problems at all dude


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[Lord Percy]

Looks like you have two different brands of bulb, possibly the manufacturers are trying to monopolise somehow?

This 10W version also has the off-centre notches, as do the 13W, 18W and 26W versions, so with those you could mix and match as you please.

So my Internet-educated guess says you can probably file off those notches as it's just the manufacturers being dicks

[drzsta]

Gx24q-1 on the left and gx24q-2 on the right.

You could file them down but easiest thing would be to buy the correct lamp in the first place.


Bases are specific to wattages btw so SA your wrong IMO.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Paint the bulb white. It'll glow, but be much dimmer.
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[Lord Percy]

[Crazy-Duck]

I had a similar problem a few weeks ago.

We rent our house so can't really go round changing light fittings. The bulb at the top of the stairs went, I thought it was just a bog standard energy saving one so went to change it and it was a bulb by a specialist manufacturer with 3 metal prongs on the base instead of 2. The only place I could find one cost me £9.95! I hope it last a few years for that amount!

[angryjonny]

[angryjonny]

[angryjonny]

[fatjames]

Maybe these bulbs originate from somewhere where the wattage is an important factor? Maybe, and this is a guess, in a caravan or on a boat or something?

[Andyk]

for the geeky and possible reason it could be that either its a progression from where maximum wattage was an issue or as the wattage is a product of the current draw vs voltage it could be used as a form of resistance and as such needed to keep the system running "correctly", which could mean you need to adjust sensitivity or something equally.

However personally i would sack it hack the thing up make sure there's no bare metal and use it, just don't blame me if it goes bang.

[drzsta]

[stinkwheel]

All bulbs in my house are now halogen capsules. They are all standard bayonet cap unless totaly unavoidable by reasons of space in the fitting.

I have rooted out and destroyed all examples of fluorescent tube fucktardery and non-standardised fittings.

I do have a couple of LED strips in cupboards.
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