CFL is very dim?

kaney

Hello,

My compact fluorescent light is very dim when switched on.

I tired changing the bulb, but the same problem exists.

Does anybody have any idea what the problem may be and if it's possible to fix this myself?

Thanks :T

jbainbridge

Some of them do this. Try a different type or look for one that says 'fast start'.

From memory the ones that produce a warmer light tend to be slower to start up. The ones with exposed tubes producing a harsher light tend to be faster.

Nilrem

Were both the bulbs the same type and/or new?

I've found that some take a while to warm up to full strength when new, then get much faster after a while (I'm not sure if it's something to do with the electrics, the coating inside the tube, or a chemical reaction).
When I first got some Ikea R50 low energy bulbs a few years back they took an age to warm up, after a while they were warming up in a fairly short time.

Gloomendoom

Why not try putting a higher wattage bulb in?

kaney

I purchased my flat in August and the bulb was already in, when it went dim last week I purchased a new bulb of the same Watt/type, thinking it was the bulb, and the same problem seems to be occurring.

It's been on a fair amount of time, as it's just about enough to have a twilight shower, but it's by no means practical going forward. I'd say it's had up to twelve stints of 10-15 minutes on, but still not getting any brighter.

The light housing said 16W Max, so i'd be reluctant to try a higher Watt bulb. I'm almost certain it's a problem in the housing, but can't think what, power is obviously getting through as it does turn on, it's just very dim.

zax47

If you can, put a "normal" bulb in - does it work at all? Does your CCFL just give a glow, not proper full illumination? I suspect a wiring fault (loose or missing neutral), CCFLs will partly energise if supplied with a small current even if there is no full circuit.

Nilrem

If the housing says 16watt max, it's probably one of the special ones they use now for bathrooms (the pain in the neck ones that cost a small fortune and you can never find the right size/type for your fitting when it goes at 17:30).

Kaney, is the bulb one of those flat ones that looks a little like the element from an old kettle?
IIRC they come in 2 and 4 pin varieties, and I suspect if it's a 4 pin one and one of the connections on the housing has gone it could have that affect in addition to the possible wiring fault.

kaney

Nilrem wrote: »

Kaney, is the bulb one of those flat ones that looks a little like the element from an old kettle?
IIRC they come in 2 and 4 pin varieties, and I suspect if it's a 4 pin one and one of the connections on the housing has gone it could have that affect in addition to the possible wiring fault.

Hi Nilrem, thanks for your suggestion

The light is 4-pin and flat yes, as per the picture below

http://www.screwfix.com/p/sylvania-lynx-qe-2d-compact-fluorescent-lamp-4-pin-1050lm-16w/34654

Is there anything I can try before I have to call in an electritian?