Has anyone heard of cfl bulbs burning down your home cause they catch fire..?

Applepie/vanilla icecream

Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #1

I have now been using cfl's now for over 1yr and this is the first that I have heard of this......has this happened to you or anyone that you know. I understand that there would be a possibility if not properly installed or a sorry butt rig of some sort, but if all is done correctly, gage of wire, etc. do you think its dangerous....?

 

TheBeardedStoner

Active Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #2

All is possible, especially when someone without know how just tries to jump into something.
Hasn't happened to me, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least to hear about it.

 

U

Uranium36

Well-Known Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #3

I once had 3 cfls litterally falling inside a fucking plant, it stayed there for about two hours, killed a couple leafs, nothing more. I think its really the safest, compared to hps which can litterally explode .

 

K

kermit2692

Well-Known Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #4

One time while buying cfls at the hardware store with a clamp light some stranger came up to me and claimed I shouldn't use them because they start fires..I have noticed running them on hot weather will turn the base a sort of tan color like it was too hot...I've never had a problem and run them many times but now I like to make sure the fan is keeping them cool enough just incase even though just a few inches away from the bulls is always pretty cool..

 

Applepie/vanilla icecream

Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #5

Good point.....I bet hps can real give a bang..... Thanks man

 

G

Genja

Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #6

Ok, now you make me ask...

Will my ordered 135w burn the shit out of my "60w" sockets? Where do you buy high watt sockets?

 

Applepie/vanilla icecream

Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #7

Ya keeping a fan will help eliminate a lot of the heat anyway... another good point...Thanks.

 

Applepie/vanilla icecream

Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #8

Hey man, not safe .... need to run to HomeDepot or something and buy the ceramic light bulb base socket. You won't find them with the bulbs nor in the electric allie - but over in where the ceiling fans and light housing are sold.....usually they have a section where they have parts/items like the pull chains and junk like that is where you will find these ceramic light sockets. Good luck bro...

 

Ammastor

Active Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #9

I used CFLs for my first grow. Never had any problems. But here at the house I use CFLs around the rooms. I have had a few do some weird things. Get super hot. Deform the coiled tubing (which is glass of course) and also have had a few build a bubble on them selves. The kids threw a ball one time and hit a CFL he had in the ceiling. It popped apart and sparks flew everwhere.

Don't forget your dealing with electricity. Anything can happen. I worked construction for a few years and there was a power surge that shattered a few T12s that were in the office we were working on. I thought it had to be one hell of a power surge. But It has happened.

Also if your using tubes T5, T8, T12. The ballasts get hot and sometimes when they burn out the wires do melt, smoke, and I have seen one catch fire but go right out on its own.

So ya it is possible.

 

K

kermit2692

Well-Known Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #10

Lol irrelevant but I once was working i'm an undeveloped community and watched a truck run over the power ped in the front yard while I was on the porch thing sparked like crazy and everyone started running lol...no more nail gun, yay off work early lol

 

Applepie/vanilla icecream

Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #11

I Guess I got silly nervous reading these scary stories on the web.... I am only running four 23 watt bulbs - got everything boxed in where there is a wire connection - used ceramic sockets with double spliters ( thats what I am concerned about are the splitters ) I think I should be ok...if anyone has any ideas to add, please do....thanks

 

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OgreTheFat

Member

• Nov 5, 2013

• #12

If you're referring to that youtube video where the dumb shit replaced his incandescent bulb with a cfl and it caught fire spreading rumors beware cfl bulbs are hazardous its bullshit. The only time its hazardous is when half-wits try to use it in a manner than otherwise specified. Ive been using them for 3 years and find the only hazard is the heat build up....they do get hot as hell if the heat is contained with literally no ventilation (and thats the 250 watt)...self fuckin explanatory! I've even broke one and it just goes out...the danger in that is the fumes contain a lot of nasty elements including mercury! Other than that they are the safest second to LED. Unless your brain isn't properly working they are pretty damn safe.

 

I

Idontevensmoke

Active Member

• Nov 6, 2013

• #13

Ya if you've got them close to your plant (like you're supposed to) and running the fan on them to build stem strength (like you're supposed to), then it kind of takes care of itself. Shit can happen, but then again, it's probably the least likely way to have shit happen.

 

Applepie/vanilla icecream

Member

• Nov 6, 2013

• #14

Ya your right, I've been using in grow for a little over a year now but been using cfl in my home for 15 yrs and never had a problem. Your right, you got to be a dumb shit to make one of these burn. Thanks bro

 

ii dP ii

Member

• Nov 6, 2013

• #15

I've broken 3 bulbs in my grow space, no fires... I have noticed some bubbling on the tubes on old CFL's that are burnt out.

 

Banana444

Well-Known Member

• Nov 6, 2013

• #16

I did some research and the bulbs that caught fire were made in china and some of the electronic components in the ballasts were cheaply made. The brand of bulbs were Globe. The main danger with cfl bulbs are when you happen to break one. Proper containment is crucial for minimizing any contact with heavy metals and mercury gases. After airing out the room you want to use paper or cardboard to pick up the peices. Avoid using bare hands to pick up peices. You also want to avoid using things like vacuums or brooms as this can spread contaminates to other areas of your home. Use duct tape to pick up the small peices. The best container to place the peices in is a glass jar with metal lid. Plastic bags do not contain mercury gases, so If you use one, make sure to remove it from the home immediately. I would even go as far as removing plants if I knew they were contaminated. Hope this helps a bit.

 

B

bondoman

Well-Known Member

• Nov 6, 2013

• #17

I like when people use cardboard for their hoods, dumbest of the dumb.

 

Banana444

Well-Known Member

• Nov 6, 2013

• #18

While we are using cardboard for the hoods, why not tape a bunch of matchsticks together to support our under lit, over fert, overwatered, 3 month old seedlings?

 

Applepie/vanilla icecream

Member

• Nov 6, 2013

• #19

Banana444 said:

While we are using cardboard for the hoods, why not tape a bunch of matchsticks together to support our under lit, over fert, overwatered, 3 month old seedlings?

Click to expand...

OK... Thats some funny shit.... but its true..... we see people doing all the time on the web.....its real scary out there, just shows that you never know who you might live next door to......

 

Banana444

Well-Known Member

• Nov 6, 2013

• #20

I'm more scared I might have actually bought something from one of these people....on second thought, no I'm not.