LED Tubes.

[tanto]

Hi, not been on here for a good few years so sorry if this has been discussed previously.
Bought a new Energizer LED 5ft tube to replace the knackered fluorescent tube in our utility today. However the new tube is not a very secure fit in the end holders. It does work ( also replaced the old starter with the new “fuse”. End fittings are the same. Slightest touch to the fitting when trying to put the diffuser cover back on dislodges the tube and the light goes off. It appears the new LED tubes are around 2 - 3 mm shorter than old fluorescent tubes therefore not making a great contact. I went back out, bought another LED tube (STATUS brand) ,thinking I maybe had a dodgy first tube. Turns out the 2nd one is the same. Anyone came across this issue , not much difference in the length but enough to be an issue.
Looks like I will just need to replace the whole unit now for safety and piece of mind.
Thanks,
Dave.

 

[robinbanks]

Perhaps the end caps have lost their springiness

A wrap of electrical tape starting on the tube, round the end cap and finishing on the other side of the tube should secure it enough to get the cover back on, where it will then work in disturbed. They don't get hot (and I wouldn't worry about putting some plastic tape on a plastic bulb cover)

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Slightest touch to the fitting when trying to put the diffuser cover back on dislodges the tube and the light goes off. It appears the new LED tubes are around 2 - 3 mm shorter than old fluorescent tubes therefore not making a great contact. I went back out, bought another LED tube (STATUS brand) ,thinking I maybe had a dodgy first tube. Turns out the 2nd one is the same.

There was a style of lamp holder, which simply pushed onto the ends of the cover, using barbs of a spring, to retain them on the ends of the cover. If it's that type, the holders/spring brackets, may not have been pushed fully into place. Other possibility, is that the springs on the lamp holder, have been overstretched, can you tighten them up?

 

[tanto]

Thanks for the replies.
I have put a piece of Gorilla tape over the tube ends and up to the casing to hold itt in place for now. Not bothered about putting the diffuser back on.
I don’t think the springs can be tightened. I will just replace the whole unit after the New Year and save some hassle.
You can see how short the tube is in the pics.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I have put a piece of Gorilla tape over the tube ends and up to the casing to hold itt in place for now. Not bothered about putting the diffuser back on.

I think that's the type, where the diffuser end caps, hook over the socket, and tends to strain them out a bit. The tube pins, are slotted into the socket vertically, then the tube rotated, a quarter turn, to lock it in - rather than springing the socket apart to get the tube in.

 

[foxhole]

Better to replace with led fitting rather than just tube.

 

[333rocky333]

You should have turned the tube 90 degrees first to remove it, take the tube right out again and use the tube end to twist one at a time each one 90 degrees
Then slip the tube upwards through the two slots then turn 90 degrees

 

[tanto]

You should have turned the tube 90 degrees first to remove it, take the tube right out again and use the tube end to twist one at a time each one 90 degrees
Then slip the tube upwards through the two slots then turn 90 degrees

I do know how to fit them. The problem is the pins are not long enough to fit in the sockets.
Complete units will be replaced soon.