Problems with Father & Child Lamp

nobile

I have a lamp similar to this. For some reason, the top lamp bulb no longer works, Ive tried 2 replacements and none works! Changed the fuse on the plug and had a quick look to see if all cables & switches are fine.

Any idea what it could be? Only had it 2 years so feel short changed!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31uFClOx%2ByL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

matbe

Is the top lamp a thin strip halogen?
If it is check that that the lamp is fitted into the two metal round pins correctly its very easy to not locate it right.

remember to unplug before fiddling!!

searchlight123

i actually sell these 'mother and child' lamps.
previous poster is correct, the top halogen strip lamp is very easy to mis-align when fitting. remember not to touch the glass of the halogen lamp with your bare fingers, use a tissue or similar. ensure it is located between the 2 springy contacts and rotate back and forth to ensure it is seated correctly.
also worth checking on better quality models of this lamp there is a pop out fuse to the rear of the dimmer module. this frequently is the cause, although it would mean both the mother and child part of the lamp would not light.
if it is only the main lamp not working, 9 times out of 10 it is an incorrectly fitted lamp or more unusually a faulty replacement tube thats been purchased.

macman

If the 'child' was still working, then why did you bother changing the plug fuse?!

nobile

macman wrote: »

If the 'child' was still working, then why did you bother changing the plug fuse?!

Because I did.

nobile

matbe wrote: »

Is the top lamp a thin strip halogen?
If it is check that that the lamp is fitted into the two metal round pins correctly its very easy to not locate it right.

remember to unplug before fiddling!!

Yes, its those thin halogen strips. Pretty certain that I conncted it properly but will try again in a bit

nobile

tonygold wrote: »

i actually sell these 'mother and child' lamps.
previous poster is correct, the top halogen strip lamp is very easy to mis-align when fitting. remember not to touch the glass of the halogen lamp with your bare fingers, use a tissue or similar. ensure it is located between the 2 springy contacts and rotate back and forth to ensure it is seated correctly.
also worth checking on better quality models of this lamp there is a pop out fuse to the rear of the dimmer module. this frequently is the cause, although it would mean both the mother and child part of the lamp would not light.
if it is only the main lamp not working, 9 times out of 10 it is an incorrectly fitted lamp or more unusually a faulty replacement tube thats been purchased.

Thanks, will have another attempt!

VfM4meplse

You have inspired me to try again with mine - got 10 years of nightly use with the first bulb, I miss it!

ETA: well I have given it another go just now and managed to get it working :T .

Changing a light bulb shouldn't be a big deal, but it's the free good advice from fellow MSE'rs that exemplifies the value of this site, thank you tonygold.

BertieUK

We have two 'Mother and Child' lamps and are very disappointed with them, we purchased them less than three years ago and find that the halogen bulbs do not last as long as you would expect, when we mentioned this to the owner of the shop where we purchased the lamps there was a look of his disappointment as well, he replaced the halogen bulbs on two occasions and then we gave up, replacing the bulbs is no easy task for a pensioner, they are now in the loft where all the other non working items are.

We would like to change from the halogen bulbs to energy efficiant bulbs if we could but not sure if it would be possible.

macman

nobile wrote: »

Because I did.

Obviously-it was the thought process behind it that I was trying to get a grasp on.

BertieUK

BertieUK wrote: »

We have two 'Mother and Child' lamps and are very disappointed with them, we purchased them less than three years ago and find that the halogen bulbs do not last as long as you would expect, when we mentioned this to the owner of the shop where we purchased the lamps there was a look of his disappointment as well, he replaced the halogen bulbs on two occasions and then we gave up, replacing the bulbs is no easy task for a pensioner, they are now in the loft where all the other non working items are.

We would like to change from the halogen bulbs to energy efficiant bulbs if we could but not sure if it would be possible.

Could I ask if there is anyone that could give me any information where I may get appropriate fittins to be able to comvert from the old style to the new.

Shop where I bought them are not interested in finding out. Mm