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Canon Image Challenge | all galleries >> CIC 235 Straight Out Of The Camera >> Eligible > 15 Hydrobulb
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18-Sep-2022 Dave

15 Hydrobulb

So I finally got around to changing the bulb in the fixture over our garage door. I have no idea how the water got into the bulb or why it was blue. The interior of the fixture was totally dry, and once a new bulb was screwed in it worked perfectly. Anyway, I thought it looked interesting.

Canon EOS 80D ,Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
1/200s f/4.0 at 135.0mm iso1000 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
comment
Canon Image Challenge03-Oct-2022 11:11
I went as high on the ladder as I was comfortable, one step shy of being able to reach the top. It is what it is. Again, we seldom use this. I'll try to avoid turning it on when it's raining or there is snow on the top. Thanks for your help. Oh, I did take a photo, just haven't had time to upload and share it. I'll put it on the challenge thread.

Dave
Canon Image Challenge28-Sep-2022 11:55
I still don't know where to apply the silicon. I see no signs of water on the fixture's "floor", so if water is getting in, it's evaporating cleanly.

That's actually a small screw at the bottom of the hinged panel. It goes right into my pocket when removed.

Hoping to get to it in the next few days as our weather improves and my time allows. Maybe a photo today with a longer lens.

When we first bought the house, the fixture (which we had refurbished) had a HUGE 300W bulb in it. I'm not sure those are still available. I'll look for a 200W-equivalent LED to replace the bulb I just put in.

Thanks for all your help!

Dave
Canon Image Challenge28-Sep-2022 00:16

I could tell by the photo the glass was hinged and has a sliding pin on the other side of the glass to lock the door frame closed.

Caulking the bottom of the round upper trim would cause it to hold water in, BAD NEWS, never ever caulk the bottom of anything that is closed in. Another example is we never caulk the bottom of meter bases, the top and sides yes but never the bottom so water will have a escape path.

When I say high grade caulk I’m saying don’t pickup a tube of cheap caulk from the dime store or Walmart. GE is about the best I ever used. I always preferred the squeeze tubes over the caulking gun tubes since they come with a sealing cap and will last for months.
The pointed top decorative cap will screw off if it’s not too corroded then the round finial should lift off, FYI the cap is also considered part of the finial. A closer photo of it would be great then I can better guide you. But don’t do anything you’re not comfortable doing, it’s not worth it.
Canon Image Challenge27-Sep-2022 03:33
Reaching the top takes me up one more step. I wish I understood where it is you are instructing me to caulk and what is meant by high grade silicone. I should probably take off the pointy thing (the finial?) and take a picture. Why would caulking the round cover to the fixture body (roof?) be bad news? The front piece of glass is hinged. Opening it provides access to change the bulb. How am I doing so far?

Dave
Canon Image Challenge26-Sep-2022 02:50
The no fan of ladders comment pretty much hoses you but should you get to the point you feel comfortable and confident on a ladder then try this. If the top decorative cap isn’t corroded to the 3/8 inch threaded nipple then remove it and the round top cover. Use a high grade silicone caulk where the nipple goes into the body of the fixture. That’s where it has to be leaking. Do not under any circumstances caulk the outside of the round decorative cover where it contacts the fixture body. That would be bad news.
Paul
Canon Image Challenge25-Sep-2022 20:29
I don't recall seeing a washer. The fixture is probably original to the (early 1960s) house and the washer may have been long gone before we purchased the home (no idea how it escaped the inspector's attention). How best to find a new washer without one in hand to replace? I'm not a fan of going up on ladders so need to steel myself to do so again.

The wasp nest is from three years ago. An exterminator told us to leave it in place because (and this sounded odd to me) doing so would deter other wasps from building another nest.

Dave
Canon Image Challenge25-Sep-2022 03:10
After seeing the fixture the only logical explanation is the finial is leaking. Further evidence is the mineral deposits showing on top of the bulb at the crack.

I’d take the decorative nut off on the top, there should be a rubber washer there to keep out water. It may be cracked, damaged by the UV or missing. I also noted a wasp nest in the gable vent one might want to knock that sucker down first. Paul
Canon Image Challenge24-Sep-2022 05:16
That fixture photo takes my ideas of snow and rain away.

Jim
Canon Image Challenge24-Sep-2022 03:26
Photo of fixture posted in Pending: https://pbase.com/image/172999287

Dave
Guest 21-Sep-2022 00:14
Like a big flashbulb.
Canon Image Challenge20-Sep-2022 20:10
It has probably been three or four years since I last changed that bulb. I use a 200W E26.

Dave
Canon Image Challenge20-Sep-2022 18:27
Condensation would take years. Rain and snow are much more likely.

Jim
Canon Image Challenge20-Sep-2022 18:15
The fixture is over ten feet above our driveway, and we assiduously avoid having sprinklers spray water on our house because the well water stains over time. There are no apparent water signs within the fixture. Might condensation be a possibility? I will post an image.

Dave
Canon Image Challenge20-Sep-2022 11:46
The next reason I’ve seen for exterior cracked incandescent bulbs is misdirected sprinkler heads or the water spray accidentally being redirected by some object placed temporarily near a sprinkler head. If that’s not part of the equation it’s obvious water is getting in there some way and my guess is leaking from above. Post a photo or two of the fixture in pending so I might continue this long distance troubleshooting process. LED might be a better choice since they don’t generate enough heat to crack or damage the shell. Paul
Canon Image Challenge20-Sep-2022 03:40
Definitely a fun shot.
And it deserves a story. Paul is on it.

Jim
Canon Image Challenge20-Sep-2022 03:16
Yes, the bulb was cracked (though largely intact). How that happened, I have no idea. None of the fixtures four glass panes show any sign of damage, and there is no evidence of water having been inside the fixture. I even gave the fixture a gentle spray before replacing the bulb. Still dry. Hopefully a one-time thing. We don't use this light often, so bulbs are usually good for 4-5 years.

Dave
Canon Image Challenge20-Sep-2022 02:59
Oh yea, pretty darn interesting photo. Paul
Canon Image Challenge20-Sep-2022 02:58
I see what I would consider to be a crack in the glass. If the bulb was installed base down then water can enter the bulb. Further if the fixture itself is leaking water it will cause a hot bulb to crack. Sometimes it will even explode. The blue I can’t write explain other than if it might have been a grow or daylight filter inside the bulb. Paul