Bulbs keep needing turning?

[cspcrx]

I have a several 4ft T8 cfl fixtures in my garage. On one in particular the bulbs will stop working every few months. I remove and reinstall the bulbs and they work just fine, sometimes I just turn them a little and they work. I have another that does this but its only one of the bulbs. Always the same one.

Any thoughts? Using Phillips T8 bulbs and fixtures are from home depot. Been in place for about 1.5 years.

Thanks all tired of turning my bulbs constantly.

 

[4xdog]

Maybe some oxidation-preventative on the contacts? DeoxIT or similar?

 

[OccupantRJ]

What kind of vibration might you be creating in there?

 

[cspcrx]

Only vibration would come from the garage door opener that is mounted to the ceiling about 4 feet from it. It is a chamberlain belt driver that runs very smoothly. It is next to the one that keeps having both go out.

The only that keeps having only 1 go out is not near any sources.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Bet if you replace the lamp holders the problem goes away.

FYI 4ft T8 is not CFL - it's just regular F32T8 Fluorescent.

 

[Gummi Bear]

Bet if you replace the lamp holders the problem goes away.

FYI 4ft T8 is not CFL - it's just regular F32T8 Fluorescent.

This^^^^^


The sockets (lamp holder, tombstone, etc) is likely a cheap-o

Make sure when you buy new ones, you get the correct configuration. They come as “shunted “ and non.

Here’s an explanation :

https://insights.regencylighting.com/shunted-vs.-non-shunted-sockets-tombstones-lampholders




I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[Bert_]

Most T8's sold are instant start and are pretty much immune to the issue. Maybe be more specific about what you have. Pics can help.

Honestly the only time I have had this problem was with rapid start F40T12's that had some crappy 90's ballasts with failing internal capacitors.

 

[LXCam]

Replace the tombstones (lamp holder). You have one pin that's slightly tweeked or the wire is loose in the clip and turning the lamp is enough vibration to maintain contact for a while.

 

[samkumar]

i keep fusing my bulbs very often when they come loose like it, just from kids stomping on the floor and the bulbs come loose.

 

[cspcrx]

thanks I will try and replace the tombstones and see what that does.

Sorry about the incorrect nomenclature, cfl.

I appreciate the help.