New fluorescent bulb won't fit

[Steve]

Hi,

I'm trying to replace a fluorescent bulb (1500mm x 38mm). The old and new ones seem identical in size, except that the old one has pointed prongs, which makes for easy insertion.

The prongs on the new one (General Electric) have flatish-round tips on the prongs.

Whatever I try, the new one won't go into the holder (either end). I'm tempted to file the prongs to a point but suspect the vibration would damage the seal.

Any suggestions?

Steve

[meow2222]

just hammer it in. If I'm imagining you right, the flattened bits are where it crimps the wires that come out the glass tube, making fileability limited. Unfit for purpose maybe?

BTW they're 5', not 150000 sillimetres.

NT

[Steve]

Thanks NT. I finally decided to carefully file each prong (the crimped bits weren't too near the ends). And it worked!

It's a crumby design for the prongs. I'm sure others must have had the same problem. A tiny bit more effort by the designer would have prevented the problem.

Cheers

Steve