TiffanyMariexo
New Member
25 watt bulb in a metal desk lamp ? And a uv reptile glow bulb in a small house lamp ? Safe ???? Or no ???
Reptile lights in desk lamps ?
- Thread starter TiffanyMariexo
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Video Master
New Member
First, why would you do this? Next, there is a reason they make special fixtures for the bulbs. They have to stay on for long periods of time and desk lamps and house lamps are not designed to be on 12+ hours a day 7 days a week.
TiffanyMariexo
New Member
Its BECAUSE I want to know !! I have proper lighting for all my chams and other reptiles. I'm looking into extra lighting to have back up for upcoming winter.
Video Master
New Member
I would just save up and get the proper fixture. the cone fixtures aren't super expensive and are made to handle the longer periods of time on. That is why they have the ceramic base instead of plastic like desk lamps.
TiffanyMariexo
New Member
I do agree, we just have spare heat bulbs everywhere and last winter our hot water ran out for a day or two so we had no heat. If I needed to use an extra source for a few hours its nice to know if these would burn my house down or not lol
Video Master
New Member
For a couple hours I think you will be just fine. Just don't try to go longer than that. They will work in a pinch like you are thinking though.
CLP
New Member
I have used desk lamps (removed the "arm") for a uv spiral bulb and also am using one now with a 40 watt incandescent as a heat lamp. I have been using it for 4 months 12 hours a day with no issues. I don't agree that they can't handle it so long as you're not exceeding the maximum wattage for the lamp. But I would make sure the lamp has a ceramic base, which most of them do these days. What is the difference between a metal "reptile" lamp with a ceramic base and a metal "household" lamp with a ceramic base. Seems like one and the same to me. Just like we don't need to use a "reptile" bulb for a basking spot when a regular household bulb is fine.
The only thing I wouldn't do is use a ceramic heat bulb with anything but the wire fixtures designed to hold them.
kgallego
Member
Just as long as the fixture can handle the bulb wattage. It should say on the package it comes in what it's designed for.
Video man has good thinking. Some things are designed for specific situations.
From the engineering point of view, here are your concerns:
- Does the fixture deliver the necissary amp's needed for the bulb? To much will cause the bulb to burn out, to little will cause the bulb to be dim.
- Does the fixture get hot enough to melt the plastic around the wires? If so, this could cause a fire hazard.
- Is the desk lamp able to anchored with wire or a non-flamable material? Probably should do this - fire hazard again.
If these all check out, then you should be good to go!
