Halogen Lights Burn Out Fast

[cpritchard]

Is it normal for halogen shop lights (Craftsman Dual) to burn out fast I have been using them every other night for 3 weeks at 3 hours a time. I installed the bulbs with Latex gloves on. They have already burned out. Does dust particles play a role in burn out?

[scorrpio]

I have a 500W worklight I bought summer last year at HD for $10 and used very extensively, including in dust, and even in light rain. Still has its original bulb.

[sweensdv]

I think a lot has to do with the quality of the fixture itself. I've got a dual bulb 300W unit that I bought years ago that I've only had to replace the bulbs once. I also had an el cheapo 500W unit that went through bulbs so fast that I ended up throwing it away. I replaced that one with a better quality model and have yet to replace either of the two bulbs in it.

[mschrank]

I bought a cheapie 1000w (2 x 500w) worklight about 5 years ago. The original bulbs lasted for most of that time. Recently, one burned out and I replaced it with an Ace branded bulb. That one burned out almost instantly, so I replaced it with another Ace (I had bought a 2-pack). That one burned out pretty quick too. I started thinking something was wrong with the fixture, but before giving up bought a 2-pack of GE (I think) bulbs, and they have been holding up quite well.

So, I'm still not sure if it's the fixture or the quality of the bulbs. The GE bulbs were almost 2x the cost of the Ace....

Short story long, I guess I'm saying you might try replacing the bulb with a "quality" one. Note that there are different grades; some are made for worklights and some are made for those upright facing torchiere lamps.

[cpritchard]

Has anyone had good results with the HF bulbs for .99 cents?

[Daryl]

I suggest you try a smaller wattage bulb. I use a pair of 500 watt halogen lights for photography, I have them wired in series and run 220 volts thru them, lots and lots of light. The thing is, I only have them on for maybe fifteen seconds max at a time. Usually before the filament fails, the glass envelope will melt.

[Stick]

I use those same type of lights as yard lights on the farm. I've changed one bulb in 4 years. The previous owner said they last about 5 years if they're not on all the time. I don't use them as all-night yard lights though, they're on 3 way switches and we only use them if we're expecting company or loading something. I use the same type in the shop too. They've lasted better than 4 years now, other than one I dropped.

[BrazosJake]

Has anyone had good results with the HF bulbs for .99 cents?

NO! I bought 5 them at $.50 each and they were overpriced. They lasted, maybe, a couple hours each.

The Sears bulb is worth it, it'll last for years.

[cpritchard]

Well, I feel stupid. The bulb had slipped out of connection. It was not burned out at all.

[MBG]

I had the same proble tillI bough some heavy-duty use bulbs a t Menard's.