Puck Light Questions

[PassPort]

Hey, I haven't been on here in a while, but I have a few questions regarding halogen puck lights. If this is the wrong forum, well, then Ethan can $@#^ my $^*$&

I've been using this style lighting for my Phelsuma and Anolis for about 4 years now, but I keep having having problems with them burning and/or blowing out every few weeks. Some will last maybe a month or two, others maybe a week. It's getting really old and is driving me nuts. I've tried plugging them straight in and using a dimmer switch with about the same results. Having them on a thermostat that flicks on and off killed them even faster. The replacement bulbs at Home Depot seem to last the longest (3 months tops), and the studio lighting flash bulbs found online (cheapest) seem to burn out the quickest, but again, the average range is one week to two months.

Basically I'd like to here from others and find out if this is common and I just need to deal with it, or if I just am buying bad bulbs. Also, if anyone knows of a good/reasonably priced source on them that would be phenomenal.

Currently I have most of my Phelsuma just under fluorescent lighting, but temps are about 10F too low. I'd like to get this resolved before fall temps arrive. Thanks,

 

[daggekko]

Hey, I know of 2 keepers that use pucks for most of their collections. Dimmer switches were recommended to keep the bulbs from blowing out. I personally tried pucks a couple years back before I started hanging around here and had the same issue. My bulbs were probably only lasting on average 4-7 days and after replacing them a few rounds I threw the lighting out. I did not have mine on dimmers though. I have been reluctant to try them out again but they are on my list of things to buy.

I have just one question for you about your use. Did you touch the replacement bulbs with your bare fingers?

Other than that I'd really like to hear more about other people's use of the puck lighting.

 

[PassPort]

Growing up around cars I've learned to never touch a halogen bulb with bare fingers. I always wear fresh nitrile surgeon's gloves when changing these bulbs.

 

[acpart]

I use puck lights on my 2 Phelsuma cages. One is plugged straight into the outlet and the other is at about 50% on a dimmer. I get all my bulbs from Home Depot and have had these cages set up for 6 and 7 years. Most of the time the bulbs last a good number of months. I would say that in the last 7 years I've had about 4 bulbs last only a few weeks, never just days. I think it would be good to ask a lighting expert if there are any controllable quality issues with these halogen bulbs. There's someone who does advertise with a banner on the forums.

Aliza

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Growing up around cars I've learned to never touch a halogen bulb with bare fingers. I always wear fresh nitrile surgeon's gloves when changing these bulbs.

Kevin ~

Check out this thread: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/day-geckos-phelsuma/64630-puck-lights-heat-uvb.html

Do you feel that the "fresh nitrile surgeon's gloves" are superior to paper towels when replacing the halogen puck bulbs?

 

[PassPort]

Elizabeth,

When handling a halogen bulb the idea is cleanliness. Any oils from your skin can/will cause the bulb to burn out prematurely. Paper towels are probably fine, but I already keep the gloves around for handling adhesives, so I use them for this too.

 

[Mantisdragon91]

As an FYI bulbs can be purchased cheaply on Amazon in quantities of 12. I think I end up paying about $1.50 each after shipping. If your bulbs are continuing to blow out it may be time to replace the puck lights themselves since if you remove the UV shield over time they ended up getting corroded.

 

[PassPort]

I always leave the UV shield in place and when I catch the shields getting corroded I'll take them out and clean them with CLR then isopropyl alcohol to remove residue. I tried the cheapy bulbs off of Amazon, those seemed to burn out the fasted. Running out of ideas, hence me posting on here.