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Probably a dumb question (about bulbs)

15 years ago

Sorry if this sounds dumb, but...can I use a halogen bulb (for example, a halogen long-neck PAR30) in a regular recessed fixture?

Related question: how do I know if it takes halogen or regular bulbs?

Just moved into a house with all kinds of unusual lights. I have an extremely deep recessed light in the living room. There was a regular incandescent bulb in it but the light doesn't reach down to the room. I think a long-necked bulb might be the answer. If I can't use a halogen floodlight, is there a regular long-necked floodlight I can use?

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Comments (5)

lightguy
15 years ago
You most probably can. But it's best to confirm. Usually the recessed lights have some sort of sticker inside showing which bulbs can be used.
If not, then I probably wouldn't risk it.

I don't know if there is a long neck incandescent bulb.

You can use LED though... as long as it will physically fit within the housing.
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azlighting
15 years ago
You can as it has the same threaded base, however I would caution you as all fixtures have a maximum recommended wattage. If you cannot see the sticker on the inside of the fixture, it may be located on the exterior and you may need to take the entire fixture out to locate it.
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jjaazzy
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I don't know if this helps and I am certainly no expert but we have small recessed lights and the prior owners put in those plastic extenders that have recepticals on either side they are cheep like 3.00 they screw in to the socet and then you screw the light into that. When we moved in we replaced them all cause the plastic when we removed the light showed they melted a little from the heat of the 50 watt light. We have since replaced them again but it works really well and brings the light closer to the surface of the ceiling instead of being so far up in the hole.
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elisabeth411
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks so much guys! I checked the sticker and it says a maximum of 75 watts, so I should be all right trying a halogen bulb as long as it's less than that?

I might also try to find the socket extenders you mention, jjaazzy.
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lightguy
15 years ago
Well... as long as it specifies halogen. A halogen 75 watt (although much brighter) is hotter than an incandescent 75 watt.
So if it says "PAR XX 75 watt" then you're okay.
With XX being the size of the bulb- 20, 30, 26. That part isn't so important.
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