CFLs and ceiling fans?

[az2000]

Are there any known problems using CFL bulbs in a ceiling fan's light fixture? I've had a couple go out very quickly.

Since I've been dismantling and oiling (and rubberizing mating surfaces of) my fans, I thought I would replace the light socket and cushion the light kit with some fiber and rubber washers. I was thinking maybe something was corroded with the old sockets causing resistance and high voltage(?). Or, vibration was the problem.

I haven't tried a CFL yet. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced short-lived CFLs, and if they related it to any cause (like vibration).

Thanks,
Mark

[Cole S.]

I've never heard of any problems, but I don't use CFLs in fans.

[Andrew G.]

I use CFLs in most of my fans and I haven't had any issues.

[John Shelley]

Apr 6, 2009 19:12:05 GMT -5 Andrew G. said:

I use CFLs in most of my fans and I haven't had any issues.

I have not had any issues with cfls either I would recomend using ge or nvision cfls. I have also had good results with truevalue's store brand ,westpointe,(westing house) cfls.

[Andrew G.]

Clearly, CFLs outlast incandescent bulbs, it REALLY shows with ceiling fans, for they're more resistant to vibration

[az2000]

Apr 6, 2009 20:43:06 GMT -5 Andrew G. said:

Clearly, CFLs outlast incandescent bulbs, it REALLY shows with ceiling fans, for they're more resistant to vibration

I forgot I've had two CFLs in the garage-door opener for 3 years. It has a lot of vibration. I had to use special incandescent bulbs made for garage door openers.

The only reason I can think a couple fans went through bulbs (incandescent and CFL) is that the socket was corroded.

I'm using incandescent right now just to see (sacrifice) if there's still a problem.

Mark

[Deleted]

Check your sockets, make sure they are clean and the tabs arent bent too far back.

I've had them go out a lot in track lights and recessed lighting. They also tend to go out a lot in my bathroom mirror. I've had 3 in my kitchen ceiling fan since 2002 and only one has burned out. I have 5 in my parents kitchen ceiling fan and those HAVE burned out a lot. Interesting as the fan in my kitchen wobbles a little, my parents fan does not.

[az2000]

Apr 6, 2009 22:02:58 GMT -5 @spiffy said:

Check your sockets, make sure they are clean and the tabs aren't bent too far back.

The fan that went through the most incandescent bulbs (and burned out in two days the only CFL I tried) was the one that made noise. I attributed it to vibration. But, it had a loose screw holding the socket to the c-shaped bracket (which itself threads onto the 1/8" pipe thread at the top of the light fixture). And, the center tab (electrical contact) was brown and pitted like rust. So was the loose screw.

I think I remember from school that a poor electrical connection (corrosion) can increase voltage due to resistance. Maybe that did it. And/or, maybe the loose screw shorted out the center contact.

I'm going to run an incandescent bulb for awhile. If that works, I'll try a CFL and update this thread. If the problem goes away, my guess is it was the bulb socket making a poor fit (perhaps the fit being worse due to vibration loosening the bulb).

Apr 6, 2009 22:02:58 GMT -5 @spiffy said:

I've had them go out a lot in track lights and recessed lighting. They also tend to go out a lot in my bathroom mirror.

That's strange. A co-worker said he has some recessed lighting that goes through bulbs quickly. I told him about my ceiling fan problem. I should tell him to replace his sockets, making sure they're tight and make a clean contact with the bulb.

Do you know if something like electrical grease exists? Something that can be used in electrical connections? That would help resist corrosion, improve conductivity? (Is lithium white grease safe for electrical connections?).

I might be obsessing. But, some bulb sockets (especially the ones in ceiling fans) seem to have a very rough, dry fit. They make a dry rubbing sound when screwing the bulb. Like fingernails on a chalkboard. Even the new sockets have this poor, rough fit.

Maybe they're made that way to lock the bulb in the socket and prevent it from unscrewing.

I just never felt like it was making good, smooth contact. That might contribute to corrosion. Corrosion would contribute to bulbs burning out?

EDIT: I guess I could have googled for "electrical grease." I found the following. I might try something like this in my bulb sockets.

www [dot] boatersworld [dot] com/product/176640498.htm?utm_medium=productsearch&utm_source=google

Mark

[Cole S.]

I agree, fan light sockets, especially older ones have that rough, hard to screw in feel. I haven't noticed it on newer lights, I've bought various types of lights, and none had that "problem".

[az2000]

Apr 7, 2009 15:58:44 GMT -5 Cole S. said:

I agree, fan light sockets, especially older ones have that rough, hard to screw in feel. I haven't noticed it on newer lights, I've bought various types of lights, and none had that "problem".

Thanks. I'm glad someone knows what I'm talking about. I thought I was just imagining it (or, just too sensitive to a stupid old light socket).

Even the new socket I bought at Home Depot for $3 has that dry, chalky fit. It's not like some table lamps I have, where the bulb seems to screw in with a slick, brass feeling.

I might try some electrical grease. I'm going to Home Depot and Ace Hardware today. I'll see if they have any.

Mark

[Deleted]

I have used vasoline, but that's because I'm a G. I dont know how safe it is.

[az2000]

Apr 7, 2009 17:13:51 GMT -5 @spiffy said:

I have used vasoline, but that's because I'm a G. I dont know how safe it is.

I've been googling this topic. I found something about "fretting corrosion:" connectors.delphi.com/dcsgdmcs/Del/attachments/Promotions/fretting.pdf

This says that minute movements between electrical surfaces can cause corrosion, introducing resistance. Just the movement from heating and cooling (although, certainly a ceiling fan's vibrations would do that too). Considering the dry, chalky fit of some bulb sockets, they might be prone to movement.

I found CRC dielectric grease at Ace Hardware. But, it was $9.50. It looks like many automotive stores sell this stuff for about $3.00:

www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/specialized_maintenance_repair/electrical_system_maintenance/auto_Permatex_Dielectric_Tune-Up_Grease.htm

I read that it's important to use electrical contact cleaner before using dielectric grease. I found CRC brand at Home Depot for $3.50.

Considering Permatex's $3 cost, I think I'd use it instead of Vaseline.

Maybe I'm going overboard. But, with the price of CFLs, I don't mind cleaning and lubricating contacts with each replacement (just to eliminate one potential source of failure). That one ceiling fan that blew a CFL in two days really bummed me out.

Mark

[Deleted]

Two days sounds like a dud bulb.

[az2000]

Apr 8, 2009 0:12:14 GMT -5 @spiffy said:

Two days sounds like a dud bulb.

The same fan/light fixture went through incandescents very quickly too. (5-10 times faster than anything else in the house.).

It could have been that the incandescents went out due to vibration, and the CFL was a dud (by coincidence). That would be a strange coincidence because I haven't had any other duds in the house.

One other ceiling fan's CFL went out after a year or two, which seemed quick (especially for a light that was only on 20 minutes per day).

So, I was thinking there might be something peculiar about ceiling fans. Now I'm thinking it was the bulb socket (corrosion).

It will be good to find out over time after replacing the socket, and using contact cleaner and dielectric grease.

Mark

[J.J. A.]

I use CFL bulbs in every ceiling fan light in my house. They use less energy, don't generate as much heat, and have outlasted standard incandescent bulbs. To this day I have not had one bulb burn out as yet.