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    diy-mike's Avatar
    diy-mike Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 11, 2008, 04:04 PM
    Specialty bulbs blowing
    We've already assessed that in this apartment, we are getting about 124 volts at the box.
    I've had a big problem with regular incandescents blowing, but will soon be replacing them with 130v bulbs (as soon as the current 120v ones burn out). So that problem should be solved.
    However, my girlfriend has an iguana that requires two different heat lamps. A 75 watt heat lamp, which is on all the time. Also, a 160 watt sun simulating lamp (which is a self-ballasted mercury vapor lamp), which is on approximately 14 hours a day. The 75 watt bulb has a tendency to blow at least every 2 months, and costs about $5-8 to replace. The 160 watt bulb blows almost every 5-6 months, and costs a whopping $70 to replace.
    As you can see, this adds up real quickly. I need to find a solution to this problem.
    I have heard someone mention some sort of insert that you can put into a light socket and then put a bulb in it that lowers the output voltage, but I can't seem to find anything about it (I'm not so sure it exists).
    The other option we've thought of is plugging both bulbs into a dimmer, and manually lowering the voltage. I've heard though, that some dimmer switches can cause rf interference with other electrical devices. Is this true?

    What would be the best way to prevent these bulbs from blowing? Any and all input would be appreciated.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
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    #2

    Feb 11, 2008, 05:31 PM
    You wouldn't be able to use a dimmer on the mercury vapor lamp anyhow. I would think the balast would control the voltage to this lamp, but I may be wrong.
    diy-mike's Avatar
    diy-mike Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Feb 14, 2008, 05:49 AM
    I'm still looking for a solution.
    peter030205's Avatar
    peter030205 Posts: 56, Reputation: 5
    Junior Member
    		  
    #4

    Feb 14, 2008, 12:33 PM
    125 Watt 130 Volt Heat lamp. May have to move it further away from the tank because of the higher wattage.

    Not sure what to tell you about the Mercury Vapor lamp. Pretty sure they can no longer be imported as January 1, 2008.
    diy-mike's Avatar
    diy-mike Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Feb 14, 2008, 09:48 PM
    Is there any way to step down the voltage to 115v? Even at the plug?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #6

    Feb 14, 2008, 11:43 PM
    What is the average life of the bulbs? I just check the package on a regular bulb and it is 1000 hours (I thought it was 755). Two months of 24 hours is 1440 hours.
    diy-mike's Avatar
    diy-mike Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Feb 15, 2008, 05:59 AM
    The package doesn't say. But the place we buy them from says that ours are lasting an unusually short time.
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