Moth trap doesn't work (1 Viewer)

[Reader]

I set my trap up tonight. Turned it on and nothing. I checked all the fuses and wires, all ok. I have undone the choke to see if any wires had gone adrift and they hadn't. Everything is totally lifeless.

I switched it off on the morning of the 24th June and everything was ok.

Usually when I switch on the choke hums but not this time. The last time my bulb went it actually went like a normal bulb would go and you would notice it but could the bulb just have stopped working.

I have attached the photo of my trap. I hope there is something I can do as I certainly can't go out to buy anything with my back complaint at the moment. The annoying thing is running my moth trap has helped me take my mind off my pain quite a bit so without it I will be bit lost.

Any ideas please.

John

 

[Angus T]

but could the bulb just have stopped working.

John

That's what happened with one of mine. No visible signs of anything wrong, but it didn't work, the spare did.

 

[Reader]

That's what happened with one of mine. No visible signs of anything wrong, but it didn't work, the spare did.

Can that just happen. Normally when a bulb is about to go you get that blowout noise and I didn't with this one. Has that happened to you Angus. Did yours just go from when you last switched off until the next time you switched it on again.

John

 

[Angus T]

Can that just happen. Normally when a bulb is about to go you get that blowout noise and I didn't with this one. Has that happened to you Angus. Did yours just go from when you last switched off until the next time you switched it on again.

John

These bulbs are sensitive and sometimes doesn't take much to break the filament. Though I've heard of plenty that last for years.

Yes one of mine mysteriously would not work after apparently in full health time before.

So, my advice is, get a bulb and see.

 

[Surreybirder]

It's probably worth getting a couple of spare bulbs anyway.... with the EU making noises about banning the sale of mercury bulbs.
Ken

 

[Reader]

These bulbs are sensitive and sometimes doesn't take much to break the filament. Though I've heard of plenty that last for years.

Yes one of mine mysteriously would not work after apparently in full health time before.

So, my advice is, get a bulb and see.

Thanks Angus

I still can't get around because of my back but I have done a search on the internet and found these bulbs. They seem to be the right product. What do you think?
http://www.bltdirect.com/products.php?cat=281&nm=MBTF+Self+Ballasted+(40mm+GES+Cap)

The one that has just gone on me was a Sylvania HSL - BW 250W

The one I used previously (which did blow) was a GE Mercury H250/40


John

 

[Surreybirder]

I only use an 80W. I imagine that the 250W are more inclined to blow as they must run very hot. I'm surprised you are going for self-balasted as you imply that you have a separate choke - but I'm probably just showing my ignorance.
I bought bulbs from BLT and they seem reliable.
Ken

 

[Reader]

I run both my Moth Trap and filters and pumps for my pond and waterfall from the garage. The switches are side by side. I have just gone out to switch on the pond system and inadvertently hit the Moth trap switch instead and hey presto the bulb lit up.

This tells me that it looks like I have an intermittent fault on the choke doesn't it? If I am having a problem with the choke how do I go about replacing it. Remember this was all a home made system, made by someone else. Will it be easy to get a new one and link it up so the bulb runs from it?

John

 

[Surreybirder]

I'm no electrician but I think it's possible that you have a loose connection somewhere. Have you tried swapping the plugs over (into different sockets) just to make sure that you don't have a faulty socket? I think BTL also sell chokes... in fact I think I remember seeing some at reasonable prices.
Ken

 

[Reader]

I'm no electrician but I think it's possible that you have a loose connection somewhere. Have you tried swapping the plugs over (into different sockets) just to make sure that you don't have a faulty socket? I think BTL also sell chokes... in fact I think I remember seeing some at reasonable prices.
Ken

Hi Ken

I did actually choose three different plug sockets to use. I also tried it direct from a socket as opposed from an extension socket and none of them worked.

I am now a bit confused. It seems like it could be either a broken wire or even a temperamental bulb (someone suggested that they guessed it could still be the bulb as they do contain a starter gap that could become temperamental with temperature).

Help!!

John

 

[Surreybirder]

Why don't you buy another bulb and test that? If it turns out to be the choke you will at least have a spare bulb ;0
Ken

 

[Reader]

Why don't you buy another bulb and test that? If it turns out to be the choke you will at least have a spare bulb ;0
Ken

You read my mind Ken. What with the advent of confusion surrounding the EU's decision to possibly ban these type of bulbs I thought it might be prudent to buy a couple of spares anyway.

John