Help with bathroom ceiling light fitting / 16W 2D compact florescent bulbs

General_query

Hi,

Just after advice please. We live in a rented flat (social housing provider) and have the below bathroom light fitting. There is no window in the bathroom so went the bulb goes, it's pitch black and the landing light outside isn't directly opposite the bathroom doorway either.

We are not allowed to replace the bulbs ourselves as it classed as electrical work, so have to report it then wait upto 72 hours for someone to come an replace the bulb, which is not on, especially when you have a young child with no light in the bathroom.

Looking at the below photo's, (yes I removed the flickering soon to blow bulb myself), can you only have a 16W in the fitting as it's so dark with such a yellowy light when the light is working. Have googled replacement bulbs (16W 2D 2 pin) and they don't seem to go brighter than 3500k.

Would rather pop to local DIY store and change bulb at our own cost than have to wait for someone to come and change the bulb for another unheard of brand that will only last 6 months.

Current one is flickering like mad and unusable and migraine inducing. Looks almost burnt out too.

Thanks.

General_query

Hope the photo's help.

BUFF

General_query said:

Looking at the below photo's, (yes I removed the flickering soon to blow bulb myself), can you only have a 16W in the fitting as it's so dark with such a yellowy light when the light is working. Have googled replacement bulbs (16W 2D 2 pin) and they don't seem to go brighter than 3500k.

Would rather pop to local DIY store and change bulb at our own cost than have to wait for someone to come and change the bulb for another unheard of brand that will only last 6 months.

 the ballast is only for a 16W lamp. 3500K (Kelvins) is a measure of colour not brightness (measured in lumens).
There are also LED replacements available (dearer to buy, cheaper to run & hopefully longer life).

FreeBear

You seem to be capable of getting up there and removing the old tube - They are not going to know if you have replaced it, so in your shoes, I'd crack on and do it. If you can find an LED equivalent at a decent price and that will work in that fitting, grab one.

The alternative is to push the HA to install a new fitting that uses easily obtainable LED bulbs.

GDB2222

Don't forget that those bulbs come in 2 pin and 4 pin versions. 

Ectophile

Given that some of the plastics in that light fitting are already looking a bit yellowed, it would probably overheat if you did manage to fit a higher wattage lamp.  A well functioning 16W fluorescent should be quite bright.

If you shop around, there are "cool white" ones which are whiter, rather than yellow.  But won't actually be significantly brighter.

But fluorescents are really unsuitable for places where you keep turning the light on and off.  I'm not surprised they keep blowing.

General_query

Thanks everyone, had broadband trouble and only just got back on. Appreciate the advice / suggestions.

I actually reported it after posting on here and an electrician came to change the bulb today. I asked him about could it be upgraded to a more modern fitting and he pointed to the artex and mentioned they don't want to disturb any asbestos in the ceiling (these flats were built in the late 60's and previous "scrapes" had revealed asbestos )

He did mention I could put in a written request for a "conversion kit" when I asked about LED lights but didn't elaborate on exactly what he meant and rushed off to the next job.

So, if they can't / won't screw in (fix) a new fitting, what does he mean by a conversion kit? I have no idea.

I did find this by Googling > https://www.screwfix.com/p/luceco-gr8-2-pin-2d-led-light-bulb-750lm-6-5w/8156X?tc=UC9&ds_kid=92700055281954481&ds_rl=1249401&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh5rWz6Pk9wIVku3tCh2uwgfQEAQYBSABEgIhDvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds   

...but it's less wattage than the 16w I had, and the one he's just replaced it with, but does it give a brighter light? Any further opinions please!

Worried if I paid for that out my own pocket and it burned out and caught fire / did damage to the fitting I'd be right in trouble as the tenants handbook says I am responsible for replacing my own "normal" lightbulbs (fair enough), but any covered light fitting - as this - can only be dealt with by one of their electricians.

Thank you 

General_query

..and when he unclipped the old bulb I swear something plastic snapped / came with it which he hastily picked up and took away with the old bulb. Looked like something that holds the bub in place in photo 4 above. One of the bits above and below the bulb holder....

casper_gutman

Light output is measured in lumens (lm). The LED bulb you linked to gives out 750 lumens but the 16W fluorescent Gr8 bulb Screwfix sells gives out 1050 lumens. It looks like the LED item is quite a bit dimmer.

Confusingly, Screwfix says the LED bulb is "750lm - Equivalent to 16W" while the fluorescent is described as "1050lm - Equivalent to 80W". I've no idea how they worked out these equivalents. Possibly the LED one should say "equivalent to 60W"?

BUFF

This claims to be 1050 lumen & you could select "cool white" if you want a less yellow, more bluer light. It's cheap enough that you could consider trying it.
 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294776364892