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Gardening in Oz

light bulbs

19 years ago

We have a few light fittings that require those small candle lightbulbs. Not too many brands available and our nearest retailers usually only stock one. We had to throw a few new ones out because the first time they warmed up they smelled so bad. So we eventually complained to the manufacturer. The response was that sometimes the cement that the glass is set into hasn't cured fully in the factory. It should finish curing when it's switched on and if the smell is too unpleasant we could put them in the garage and leave them on until the smell is gone. This was four or five years ago. I hope those idiots aren't giving out advice like that any more.

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Comments (2)

sterculias
19 years ago
Now I wonder where the light fitting was made. Let me guess.
China?

Unfortunately 99% of all electrical products now come from China and again unfortunately it is poor quality and in many cases doesn't comply with the relevant Aus/NZ standard. In some cases they are downright dangerous.
With this influx of Chinese rubbish we now have a multitude of bulbs which up to a few years ago were non standard in Aust. Now we have a mix of Edison Screw lamps as well as the standard baynet type with the ES taking over. Not that the base of the lamp is a problem other than we now have to support another type whether we like it or not.

Doug. (electrician)
macbirch
Original Author
14 years ago
Poor quality, tell me about it! One new light fitting, didn't check it until the electrician arrived to install, faulty, had to take back and exchange it and call him out a second time, another light fitting installed in a different room and first time we had to change the bulb we couldn't get it out so we had to have the lot replaced, not unheard of with that style the lighting store admitted, both cheap imports though not actually that cheap, we now have a few rooms with bare bulbs because we can't be bothered with the hassle and interestingly I've noticed on decorating websites that the plain lightbulb industrial look is becoming trendy, personally I'd prefer to get a nice fitting installed but I'd rather avoid the hassle.
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It looks like something that is strictly ornamental. Usually has a bottom piece for a candle, and can be used inside or outside, although, it looks like that piece is missing on yours. If you want something solar powered there, just remove it, and put up a solar powered light. Make sure, it can get enough sun there to keep recharging, or it wont light when you want it too.
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