Energy saver bulbs - some work, some don't.

[chuckalicious]

I have a 4 bulb spotlight in my kitchen, which takes 4 40w non-halogen spotlight bulbs. These are in a straight line.

I decided I would try replacing these bulbs with energy savers. I went for spiral eOn ones which we use in te rest of the house and are great. 9w per bulb.

I put the 4 in an only the middle 2 light. If I remove the middle 2 the 2 end ones stay off. If I put one of the working middle ones to either end, it won't light.

Can you think of any reason why 4 energy savers wouldn't work and only the middle 2 would? At the moment the middle 2 are energy savers and the ones either end are the 40w normal bulbs - is this safe?

Thanks all.

 

[JohnD]

poor contact between lamp and holder, probably. Are they screw-in?

Does the body of the lamp press against a plastic shroud as you are tyrying to push them in?

 

[chuckalicious]

I'll be a tad ashamed of myself if that's all it is! I admit I didn't try tightening them any more than I initially did.

Yes they are the mini screw type. I don't think the bulb was touching anything when it was in.

 

[JohnD]

if necessary, bend out the copper tongue from the base a bit so it presses harder against the tip of the lamp. If you have been running ordinary lamps it will have got very hot and may have taken a set. TURN OFF POWER AT THE BOARD FIRST

If either the lighting fitting or the lamps is American, the screw thread is a different size from European.

 

[chuckalicious]

Cool, I'll try that tonight. As long as its not indicating a more serious supply issue then I'm happy.