is it ok for those compact fluorescent "bulbs" to get hot?

[dpopiz]

I want to buy this super cheap lamp on target.com but the customer reviews say it got so hot that it burned out their bulbs.

I use compact fluorescents though, and those don't generate as much heat as incandescents, but what I'm wondering is,
is it *ok* if they do get hot? will it make them burn out quickly or cause a safety hazard of any sort?

 

[Analog]

link?

 

[dpopiz]

http://www.target.com/gp/detai...=1&asin=B00005OU0P

I think it's pretty nice for $17

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
I want to buy this super cheap lamp on target.com but the customer reviews say it got so hot that it burned out their bulbs.

I use compact fluorescents though, and those don't generate as much heat as incandescents, but what I'm wondering is,
is it *ok* if they do get hot? will it make them burn out quickly or cause a safety hazard of any sort?

The people reviewing this used regular bulbs. I don't think that CFs will generate much heat in these, and you should be okay. Don't forget that CPs generate diffuse light, and these look more like directional lights, and they may not give you satisfactory results.

 

[dpopiz]

well they'll stick out pretty far anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem

 

[DrPizza]

There was another thread earlier today about CF's being installed facing downward... something about the electronics end getting hotter, resulting in them burning out in less time. No one provided a verifiable source of more info on the web though. I have my doubts about it, unless in some extreme situation where they couldn't radiate the excess heat away.