240v light bulbs

[Dan in MI]

Years ago I added a 240v light bulb to my infrared heater as a reminder to shut it off when I leave my shop. Same bulb for 10-15 years. I noticed it was out last week. I blamed it on age.

I replaced it and tested it. The first time I actually used it when I went to turn off the heater I noticed the bulb was already burned out.

My question to the hive is, would single digit temps create a thermal shock when I turned it on? I want to say I’ve run that heater when it was this cold before, but maybe not as I generally use the propane heater. The overhead is just for quick heat up.

 

[Killer Bee]

to avoid incandescent bulb fragility, install a 240v led bulb, or tap one 120v leg for the lamp, and install 120v led bulb.

personally, I would just install a timer switch if not maintaining thermostat control when not occupied. especially if it only runs for brief periods to augment other heaters.

good luck!

 

[blume357]

yep, I think the best choice is the 120 volt LED and tap into one side of the 240. 240 volt LED is the second and actually easier choice.

 

[Richard76]

Years ago I added a 240v light bulb to my infrared heater as a reminder to shut it off when I leave my shop. Same bulb for 10-15 years. I noticed it was out last week. I blamed it on age.

I replaced it and tested it. The first time I actually used it when I went to turn off the heater I noticed the bulb was already burned out.

My question to the hive is, would single digit temps create a thermal shock when I turned it on? I want to say I’ve run that heater when it was this cold before, but maybe not as I generally use the propane heater. The overhead is just for quick heat up.

temp shouldn't be an issue. I would try another bulb. If it burns out just as quick I would suspect the heater. If it lasts I would say you had a weak filament in the previous bulb

 

[coachk64]

240V bulbs are much less commonly used, so likely sit in storage for longer times, being occasionally moved around and being bounced more often than 120V bulbs, which spend less time in inventory. Bouncing will certainly weaken the filament, so that is the most likely problem, and the next 240V bulb has a chance of the same problem. I'd concur with the 240V LED bulb, but the timer really makes the most sense.

 

[Dan in MI]

Actually the movement makes sense. The replacement bulb was just as old as the original. I bought them both at the same time and based in the packaging they were very old then. It also wasn’t sitting in a very protected spot for 15 years.

I’ve considered all the “upgrade” options, but it lasted years this way.