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Bathroom light problem

6 replies

catchyjem · 04/10/2017 14:11

Bathroom light stopped working properly the other day. It comes on but only a little bit. I've tried replacing the bulb (it takes a Philips pl-q 4 pin 16 watt) but it's just the same. It lights a very little but not all along the tubes. So, before I call an electrician just thought I'd ask if anyone knows what this problem is on the off chance of a quick fix?!

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DOLLYDAYDREAMER · 04/10/2017 17:45

That is a type of flourescent tube bulb. so does the fittjng have a starter ? It sends a current to get the bulb fully alight

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PigletJohn · 04/10/2017 18:01

it's a bit past it now. They used to be a good, energy-saving solyrion, but this year LEDs have become so cheap, and reasonably powerful ones have arrived, that the CFL is now a dead end.

I wouldn't spend money on it, I'd go for a new lamp that takes an ordinary (BC or RS) lamp fitting that you can buy in any high street.

In a bathroom it's better to have an enclosed luminaire. For some positions above or close to a bath or shower it may need to be IP44

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PigletJohn · 04/10/2017 18:03

BC or ES

BC is bayonet cap (UK most common)
ES is Edison screw (European most common)

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catchyjem · 05/10/2017 09:21

Thanks for the replies. I don't think it has a starter. I've looked and it's just a kind of U shaped bulb that pulls out, nothing else in there apart from wires. It is an enclosed unit that I had to open to access the bulb. It's only 4 years old. It was installed by Wickes as part of a bathroom refurb. I'm pretty annoyed it's gone wrong already. So do you think I'd be better just choosing a whole new fitting and getting it installed rather than getting someone out to look at this one?

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PigletJohn · 05/10/2017 10:08

Yes

It's unlikely to be worth repairing.

You can still get parts for fluorescent lamps with tubes, because there are hundreds of millions of them in offices. I didn't see spares for your kind of lamp. There might be some in a warehouse somewhere.

I had one fail about a year ago and swapped it for an LED lamp that uses half as much power and will probably last longer.

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catchyjem · 05/10/2017 13:42

Thanks that's been really helpful. I won't waste any more time on this light, I'm off to look at new ones.