All true, but 'disposable' (aka 'throw away'), a concept which I find somewhat offensive
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Flourescent/strip light help if possible please.
- Thread starter scooby1
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To a very large extent I agree with you. There are times when newer is better, i.e. when it is less polluting, less wasteful on the planet's resources, etc. But I still stick by the old adage "if it aint broke then don't fix it"All true, but 'disposable' (aka 'throw away'), a concept which I find somewhat offensive
Yes, ther obviously can be cases when that is true, but I would think fairly rarely.
Same here, but we're talk about a slight variant on that, namely "if just a bit is broke, don't replace the whole thing". Imagine the situation if car tyres or batteries were irremovable and not replaceable
I fear we're up against the problem that it is in the interests of manufacturers (and everyone else in the supply chain) to 'force' consumers to repeatedly buy new products, rather than 'mend' existing ones (which may simply mean 'plugging in a replacement part').
Quite apart from 'matters of principle' (and usually also both financial and environmental cost), there is a practical issue with light fittings, given that there is little standardisation of shape, size and, probably most importantly, position and nature of fittings,which means that 'replacement with new' will not only be somewhat of a hassle but also may result in cosmetic damage to ceilings and walls. That's particularly an issue given that, as with nearly all manufactured products, the shape of the 'failure curve' is such that some 'very early failures' are not uncommon!
All true, but 'disposable' (aka 'throw away'), a concept which I find somewhat offensive
Most of the cost, and value, is in the parts of the module which fail, so little point in making those separately replaceable, or manufacturing parts for them. Of course, nowt to stop you buying replacement components, to fix them, as I sometimes do.
As a generalisation, I would totally agree with that.
However, in the case of things like 'LED tube' light fittings, where the (only) parts which can really 'fail' are the LED elements and the 'driving electronics', it surely would make sense to include all those in a replaceable tube, which can be easily replaced in just a few seconds, without causing any disruption, just as with a fluoro tube, wouldn't?
Not really, you listed above, most of the parts and cost, in such a LED fitting. The only thing left, is the casing.
And the time and effort to get the tools out, strip the fitting to get to the screws, remove it then redecorate the damaged paintwork or the replacement is a different shape /size as opposed to replacing a tube?
Yes, I agree with that because it is what I have to do. My problem is that my age is against me and balancing on ladders isn't as easy as it used to be.
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Two lamps 
similar, first integral, second uses a bulb, in spite of making a reflector above the bulb, the first one with the LED's built into the top, so all shining down, lights below it far better to the one on the pole. However, don't know rating of the wall lamp, must measure it sometime.
I am sure if bulb faced the other way, it would be far better.
But also if the bulb fails, far easier to change to the whole lamp, and keep bulbs in stock, don't keep whole lamps in stock.
Cost, the integral was £4, the adaptor in the house, so it only lights when required, about £16, so lot £18, the light on the stick £26 and another £10 for the smart bulb. So the wall light half the price, but can't turn it Green for Halloween. This is why I have that integral lamp, it was cheap, being sold off the end of line or something.
If it fails, not a big problem, as a light either side of it. The light on the pole, is a light if it fails, want to replace ASAP. I hate integral lamps, but must admit they can work, if one an easy change system. At work, the ceiling lights used these,
so could change the whole fitting without turning off the rest of the lights in the room.
similar, first integral, second uses a bulb, in spite of making a reflector above the bulb, the first one with the LED's built into the top, so all shining down, lights below it far better to the one on the pole. However, don't know rating of the wall lamp, must measure it sometime.I am sure if bulb faced the other way, it would be far better.
But also if the bulb fails, far easier to change to the whole lamp, and keep bulbs in stock, don't keep whole lamps in stock.
Cost, the integral was £4, the adaptor in the house, so it only lights when required, about £16, so lot £18, the light on the stick £26 and another £10 for the smart bulb. So the wall light half the price, but can't turn it Green for Halloween. This is why I have that integral lamp, it was cheap, being sold off the end of line or something.
If it fails, not a big problem, as a light either side of it. The light on the pole, is a light if it fails, want to replace ASAP. I hate integral lamps, but must admit they can work, if one an easy change system. At work, the ceiling lights used these,
I have a similar problem, but I feel obliged to find solutions
Actually, I don't have a problem with 'heights'. Provided I am happy about its 'security', I'm very happy up very tall ladders (I was working up at about 10m a couple of weeks ago), but I am much less comfortable with step ladders!
Indeed, but it's replacing the casing that takes much more time/effort (than simply replacing a tube or lamp/bulb), and which is quite likely to result in the need for some 'making good' and decoration.
Then you think ahead, and buy spares. For the lights in my kitchen, I have spares. The mount on a plug in base, it takes just a second to slide a failed one out, and slot a replacement in. Actually quicker/`easier, than changing a fluorescent tube.
With some items (particularly when there are multiple 'matching' ones, I do do that at the time of the initial purchase - but (a) many things are not quite as easy to replace as in the example you cite and (b) particularly if the items are reasonably expensive, I am not happy with the negative effect this has on my 'cashflow' and, even worse, the fact that the 'just in case' items I've bought may actually never be needed (i.e. 'wasted money').
On the other hand, I never had any problem buying fluorescent tubes or lambs/bulbs for fittings I had, at the time I needed them, even decades later, and it very rarely took more than 'a few seconds' to replace them (give or take the occasion nightmare when the lampholder fell apart
).Do you really believe that 'throwaway' light fittings etc. are a good idea?
On the other hand, I never had any problem buying fluorescent tubes or lambs/bulbs for fittings I had, at the time I needed them, even decades later, and it very rarely took more than 'a few seconds' to replace them (give or take the occasion nightmare when the lampholder fell apart
Scattered around my home, counting all the fluorescent lights, it would come to around 20 tubes. I have a few spare, brand-new fittings, and spare tubes/starters for all of them, stashed away. I also have a box of old tungsten lamps, plus CFL's, left over from when I swapped most of the lamps to LED, kept for in case I'm stuck for a lamp.
Yes, for modern cheap light fittings, that the ordinary home-owner would not expect to be able to repair. How far do you want to go with your repairs?
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