[Greenbuilding] smoking cfl's

[Stephen Collette]

Everybody knows that when you let the magic smoke out of electrical  
things, that they don't work anymore. It's all about the magic smoke!

I have let the magic smoke out of a cfl or two. The home despot Globe  
brand bulbs to be specific. They were real duds. I lost half of them  
within the first year that I had them. Some smoked, some crackled,  
some just stopped flickering. As for the smoke, it wasn't a lot, but  
yes the base was a bit blackened by it. Of course I probably could  
have prevented that, but I was up on the dining room chair checking  
out the process.  Curiosity killed the cat I suppose. I still can't  
figure out what is in the magic smoke to make it work though.

I was keen guy and did our whole apartment at the time. I ended up  
with a pile of them and even with no receipt the depot took them  
back. (fist waving helps). I've even seen dollar store cfls now too,  
and I can't help but wonder how long before they  flame out. It does  
absolutely nothing for those of us trying to promote them (I still  
have some straight tube ones kicking around).

CBC is getting into a bit more sensationalism in their journalism.  
It's really disappointing. there is only a very small point made in  
that article that says the manufacturers, but the headlines make it  
seem like everyone will blow up any minute.

Stephen

Stephen Collette B.B.E.C
Principal

Your Healthy House
Indoor Environmental Inspections & Building Consulting
www.yourhealthyhouse.ca
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
705.652.5159


>
> Rob, the smell is likely the acrid odor generated by burning  
> electronics.
>> From the photo, enough heat is melted to char the plastic  
>> container, so
> there's got to be a bunch of contributions to the 'stank'.
>
> Has anybody on the list had a CF die in this way? I've gone through  
> some and
> never had them die in such a dramatic method.