Paint Can Heater - light bulb life span?

[ultra_cas]

How long have you guys been getting your bulbs to last? Mine is only a 40 watt bulb, after my 4th use, it went out. Had a Belgian in there set at 71, I checked and it had dropped to 66. Checked the bulb, not working.

Basement is about 55 or 60 in the winter, so it is running quite a bit for 4 batches, although the other batches it was set mostly around 65. This last one, set a little higher temp, but it's only been just over 2 days in there with this last Belgian set at 70/71.

How long have you guys been getting with the bulbs before they go out on you?

 

[Greatbreweh]

How long have you guys been getting your bulbs to last? Mine is only a 40 watt bulb, after my 4th use, it went out. Had a Belgian in there set at 71, I checked and it had dropped to 66. Checked the bulb, not working.

Basement is about 55 or 60 in the winter, so it is running quite a bit for 4 batches, although the other batches it was set mostly around 65. This last one, set a little higher temp, but it's only been just over 2 days in there with this last Belgian set at 70/71.

How long have you guys been getting with the bulbs before they go out on you?

Let me give u best advise I can....never buy another light bulb again, use a reptile bulb (no light just heat last long long time)

 

[MaxStout]

I use 25W incandescents, and yes, they tend to have a short lifespan. Maybe the heat concentrating inside the can degrades the life of the bulb? I do have a few holes punched in the can for ventilation.

I'd get one of the reptile infrared heaters, but those are typically 100W or more and generate way too much heat for my small ferm chamber.

 

[BigFloyd]

I use a 40W double life bulb. Mine only sees use part of the year here in TX, so I'm still on the original one from 2012.

 

[Picker]

I use a 40 watt "oven" bulb in mine. Still burning after about 15 batches.

 

[flars]

I use a 40 watt "oven" bulb in mine. Still burning after about 15 batches.

It is heat that really shortens the life of a standard bulb. Moving a bulb, unless it is like a heavy duty used in a trouble light, while it is on and hot can shorten the life instantly.

 

[govner1]

let me give u best advise i can....never buy another light bulb again, use a reptile bulb (no light just heat last long long time)

^^^^this!!!

 

[LLBeanJ]

40W appliance bulb. It's been going for about 11 months now.

Edit: Come to think of it, I did have to replace the bulb a few months back. I'd say I got about 8 months out of the first bulb.

 

[day_trippr]

Also 40 watt appliance bulb here. It's almost two full years in service so far, and pretty cheap at Ace...

Cheers!

 

[KartRacer54]

Have a 100W in a popcorn tin, been burning for hours and hours. Connected to a temp control to regulate temp.

 

[raysmithtx]

In my experience the "rough service" bulbs tend to last longer. I believe the filaments are thicker. That's all I use in my shop equipment but I use a reptile bulb in my ferm chamber.

 

[Zepth]

Let me give u best advise I can....never buy another light bulb again, use a reptile bulb (no light just heat last long long time)

I was going to mention these existed. I am currently building my chamber and ordered one with free shipping. I didn't want to suggest something that I didn't have experience with. This post makes me happy about my decision to use one.

 

[ultra_cas]

Thanks for the info. I'll look at both alternatives. For those of you using the reptile heaters, are you using them in a paint-can style heater, or just exposed? Since it is basically a heater, I'm guessing it would make the paint can (or other small enclosure) too hot? I do have one small hole drilled in the paint can, but might add more holes.

 

[raysmithtx]

Thanks for the info. I'll look at both alternatives. For those of you using the reptile heaters, are you using them in a paint-can style heater, or just exposed? Since it is basically a heater, I'm guessing it would make the paint can (or other small enclosure) too hot? I do have one small hole drilled in the paint can, but might add more holes.

My reptile light is exposed. I have it on one of those squeeze clamps to be able to attach it. I sometimes just clamp it to the neck of one of the carboys with the light pointing away. Gets it out of the way.

 

[doomy86]

Blame planned obsolescence:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel

The oldest light bulb still works

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Light

 

[Greatbreweh]

Thanks for the info. I'll look at both alternatives. For those of you using the reptile heaters, are you using them in a paint-can style heater, or just exposed? Since it is basically a heater, I'm guessing it would make the paint can (or other small enclosure) too hot? I do have one small hole drilled in the paint can, but might add more holes.

Mine are just exposed mounted to electrical hex boxes

 

[augiedoggy]

Blame planned obsolescence:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebus_cartel

The oldest light bulb still works

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Light

very interesting reading!
This is a lot like what tv manufacturers are doing now..