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Libertas1776

(2,888 posts)
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 12:22 AM Apr 2013

CFL bulb question (brown goopy droplets!)

Just a shot in the dark here, but has anyone here ever had their CFL bulb ooze brown droplets or residue?

the bulb is one of those CFLs that try not to look like a CFL. More like an incandescent.


the droplets are inside the housing it seems, no leakage, but i never heard of such a thing.

Anybody had any similar experience? Right now i feel like the travelocity gnome in that commercial where he gets zapped.....Am i going to die?

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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CFL bulb question (brown goopy droplets!) (Original Post) Libertas1776 Apr 2013 OP
Let me guess Mnpaul Apr 2013 #1
thanks for the response Libertas1776 Apr 2013 #2
I had some of them as well Mnpaul Apr 2013 #3
ah, Libertas1776 Apr 2013 #4
I hope it's not something with mercury. LiberalEsto Apr 2013 #5
thats what i had feared Libertas1776 Apr 2013 #6
Is there a hazmat collection in your community? LiberalEsto Apr 2013 #7
hmm Libertas1776 Apr 2013 #9
No leaking but HeiressofBickworth Apr 2013 #8
hmm Libertas1776 Apr 2013 #10
It might be a faulty bulb. peacefreak Apr 2013 #11

Mnpaul

(3,655 posts)
1. Let me guess
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 01:42 AM
Apr 2013

Made in China?

Probably the goop in the ballast is getting warm and melting out the side. Is the bulb in a socket of sorts?

I doubt you are in any danger but the bulb may cease to function.

Libertas1776

(2,888 posts)
2. thanks for the response
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 08:13 AM
Apr 2013

yes, in a socket. not sure if from china, though possible. possibly from mexico too. as for the bulbs, ive long since removed them and replaced them with old timey incandescent bulbs.

Mnpaul

(3,655 posts)
3. I had some of them as well
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 09:47 AM
Apr 2013

few lasted more than a couple of months. I'm waiting for the LEDs to come down a little more before I switch to them. I have a portable work light with 72 LEDs and I like that one a lot.

Libertas1776

(2,888 posts)
6. thats what i had feared
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 10:29 PM
Apr 2013

but i'm thinking, like a regular sized fluorescent bulb, the mercury is like a fine powder, not a liquid. Unfortunately it was a while ago that they were purchased so where they were purchased is lost to me. Hopefully i can find the darn box tho!

 

LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)
7. Is there a hazmat collection in your community?
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 10:32 PM
Apr 2013

My county accepts burned out CFL bulbs in the hazmat area of our recycling center.

HeiressofBickworth

(2,682 posts)
8. No leaking but
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 10:44 PM
Apr 2013

I have one in the over-head fixture that dims about 2 minutes after I turn it on. It's annoying as hell. I do a lot of embroidery, crochet and tatting and I need the brightness to see my work. I went back to the store where I bought it to ask if the dimming was a feature of the new bulbs or if there was something wrong with it. They assured me that neither was the case. So, I'll be replacing it shortly with regular incandescent bulbs that NEVER dimmed when they were on.

Libertas1776

(2,888 posts)
10. hmm
Wed Apr 17, 2013, 11:02 PM
Apr 2013

these bulbs would be dim and take time to light up after you just switched them, i wonder if that's related? Yeah, i'm not a big fan of these bulbs. I know they're are better for the environment, electricity savings wise, but i think i might just go and stock up on some incandescent bulbs.

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