Changing a lightbulb - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 05:56:37 pm
content: That's why MTBF matters ;-)

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 08:42:45 pm
content: Try this one:

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 08:46:23 pm
content: Pretty cool. Wonder how that video was taken, drone perhaps?

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 08:51:08 pm
content: Very good camera work.

author: Maxlor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 08:51:31 pm
content: You know where this leads.How many EEVBlog forum members does it take to change a light bulb?Many!6 to argue about which terminal current passes through2 to point out that the light bulb behaves in a non-ohmic fashion under some circumstances, so everyone using simplified ohmic equations is ignorant and stupid3 to ask about upgrading the light bulb to a 100MHz one1 to ask about the best place to buy one5 to rant at the above guy about setting his country of residence in the forum profile4 claiming that the light bulb's input protection is insufficient and that it's therefore dangerous to use with 2kV4 responding that the light bulb is perfectly fine for bench use...Please add more

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 08:53:49 pm
content: I wonder what sort of lamp it is?Perhaps they should upgrade to LEDs to increase the life of the lamp.

author: Retep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:06:06 pm
content: Quote from: dr.diesel on January 04, 2015, 08:46:23 pmSuperman

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:08:44 pm
content: Retrofit LED replacements are rather popular for this application. For the obvious reasons.From the size of those turnstile wings, it looks like a rather low VHF TV channel.That is about the size of the wings on our local (obsolete) channel 2 (50-56 MHz) antenna.In the US, they have moved everybody out of the low-band VHF range, and pretty much everybody out of the high-band VHF range, also.They have to feed the opposite pairs of "wings" with 90 degree phased signal to create the omnidirectional radiation pattern.So they need a phasing circuit down at the bottom, and TWO feedlines up the tower to the antenna.Looks like it is out in the US midwest plains somewhere, so they need those lightning rods extending above the warning light.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:09:18 pm
content: Quote from: Maxlor on January 04, 2015, 08:51:31 pm4 to argue that a microprocessor should be used2 newbies asking how to change the bulb because they don't want to read the long thread1 suggesting it should not be turned on but do a teardown (...)4 complaining about the frame rate being too high/too low

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:10:52 pm
content: There's the MTBF of the lightbulb and there's the MTBF of the guy that has to change it ... there's only one letter difference between FAIL and FALL ( actually one stump ...)

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:13:34 pm
content: Quote from: Maxlor on January 04, 2015, 08:51:31 pm5 arguing it was designed with the wrong CAD package9 asking why they can't find light bulb symbols in their CAD package.417212 asking how to caculate the series resistor for the .. no wait ... scrap this one.2 anal rententives pointing out caculate has a spelling error in it. ( It doesn't. It's a typing error. I perfectly know well how to spell calclulate1 guy claiming any kind of glass balloon with bits of metal scrap in it should be widlarized into extinction and replaced by something more modern.666 guys asking for open source lightbulb designs555 huys asking if the blinking circuit was made with .. well you know ...oodles stating the bulb would not have crashed if it ran linux as an operating systemsame guy that wanted to widlarize them asking why on earth a lightbulb needs an operating system in the first place17 guys wondering what would hit the ground first : the guy , or the iphone he accidentally dropped while snapping a selfie up thereone guy wondering what you do if halfway up you realise you need to pee... or the other thing ...3 people wondering if they turn off the transmitter5 people wondering if the antenna loops he attaches the safety clips to really would hold him if he slippedone guy wondering why he holds on to the excess looped coax cables at one pointone guy wondering why the light bulb is still under power and blinking... it clearly works so why does it need swapping ?i hope he didn't forget a snack. you could get the munchies while you're up there... not a good idea to run out of fuel56 people debating whether lightbulbs should be thru-hole or SMDout of those 56 at least 14 firing up the war between 0805 and 0603 lightbulbs.one hung lo posting a spam topic to promote his business selling cheap lightbulbs

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:23:42 pm
content: Hopefully he didn't forget the screwdriver in the van.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:25:34 pm
content: Quote from: Maxlor on January 04, 2015, 08:51:31 pm4 to ask about hacking to unlock hidden features like blinking random patterns6 to complain that the pricing of the bulb is higher in their country than anywhere elseThe same 6 to also complain about the long ship times to get it cheaper from somewhere elseeveryone to argue over the lumens per watt rating, PRI, color temp, etcThe 4 then arguing which microprocessor to use, extolling the benefits of their favorites

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:28:47 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on January 04, 2015, 09:13:34 pmBIG smile

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 09:32:33 pm
content: - one guy posting he collects burned out lightbulbs and where to get this one to add to his collection- dave doing a teardown of the tower and associated equipment with an in depth analysis of the defunct tv transmitter. oh wait . no that has been done already ..

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 10:08:32 pm
content: I use to have to fix/change things on really high (nothinglike the vid) towers/poles/masts years and years ago when elf and safety was no ones concern but your own. No fear whatsoever!A few weeks ago strong winds caused our outside tv aerial to need re-positioning. Got the extension ladder out, climbed onto the roof (5-6 meters) and I was shitting bricks!Age, it seems, smacks the bravado out of you

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 10:48:57 pm
content: Yup, was younger and dumber as well. Climbing hangers to do safety signage, helped ever so helpfully by my boss GI Joe ( looks just like the cartoon figure.....) using a crane. I brought along a safety harness, he wanted to just use a cargo sling.

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 10:58:46 pm
content: Quote from: Maxlor on January 04, 2015, 08:51:31 pm2 more arguing about what time to start the job in case it interferes with prayer time.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 11:24:59 pm
content: How can we forget the forum member who complains about government intervention and safety regulations when he has to change his light bulb?Also the guy who recommends they install a pulley system to bring the light fixture down to ground level when it is time to change it.

author: EvilGeniusSkis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2015, 11:39:50 pm
content: so far we are at 1402 people to change the light bulb. still only about 10% of the number of people required to make changes in a bureaucracy.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 01:26:34 am
content: The idea of "free climbing" (without using a safety tether) gives me the heebie jeebies.

author: devanno
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 04:35:02 am
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on January 04, 2015, 10:08:32 pmDon't feel bad... just watching the video made my knees weak!

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 09:31:02 am
content: 7. Thread or bayonet?8. Is the bulb driven by current or voltage?9. Is the bulb real or a Chineese fake?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 07:25:49 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on January 05, 2015, 09:31:02 amare the emitted photons particles or a wave ? (now the cat's out of the bag ... this will all end up in tears , i just know it )

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 08:18:12 pm
content: And you guys are only running off on the frivolous and fanciful tangents here.No mention of the ACTUAL issues with constant monitoring the lamp circuit current to detect if the circuit is shorted or open (or one or more lamps blown out).Remember that both US FCC (communication) and FAA (aviation) regulations require constant monitoring and prompt (10 minute?) notification of ANY lamp problem.This is life-safety stuff and we don't want planes running into towers because the lights went out. I believe most civilized parts of world have similar requirements.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 08:34:42 pm
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on January 05, 2015, 08:18:12 pmThey should carry their own light, just like my bike.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 08:44:36 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on January 05, 2015, 07:25:49 pmIs the cat dead or alive? I thought it was in a box.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 08:52:45 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on January 05, 2015, 08:44:36 pmReminds me of an old joke:How many Zen Buddhists does it take to change a light bulb?Two. One to change the bulb and one not to...Maybe the joke should be changed to how many Quantum Physicists?

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 09:07:16 pm
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on January 05, 2015, 08:18:12 pmYou might like this short youtube doc.Found that the age of the topic and old photos added to it for me.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 09:43:48 pm
content: Looks like a fun thing to climb, especially on a nice day.

author: sunnyhighway
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 09:58:15 pm
content: Quote from: Maxlor on January 04, 2015, 08:51:31 pmone guy complaining you hardly can’t buy classic lightbulbs anymore.another guy moaning about the short life-span of the classic lightbulbs you can buy.2 guys debating about wether the industrie or the government is behind the short life-span.2 advocating led bulbs.8 guys ranting about the horrible light led bulbs emit.one guy trolling about the environmental impact of classic lightbulbs.2 guys feeding the troll.3 guys warning not to feed the troll.one guy suggesting the old bulb was probably bought from a chines seller.4 guys suggesting the new bulb can be bought cheaply from eBay.8 sharing their horror stories from purchases from eBay.a guy swearing the new bulb should be bought from Farnell.another guy promoting it can be sourced faster from DigiKey.a newbie asking where the datasheet can be found.. for free…other newbie asking to identify the old bulb, using a generic image from the inter-webs.a guy asking for a photo of the actual old bulb.the same newbie posting a completely blurred photo which resembles just about any lightbulb ever made.

author: devanno
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 10:39:51 pm
content: 6 guys arguing over what frame rate causes the new bulb to appear to be flickering...

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 10:50:58 pm
content: Quote from: mtdoc on January 05, 2015, 08:52:45 pmQuantum Physics : the dreams stuff is made from ...

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2015, 10:56:29 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on January 05, 2015, 10:50:58 pmThey did ask some QED experts. They ran an experiment at CERN and it will take a few more years to reconcile the data they got back. They may have inadvertently caused a small change in Timespace where lights change themselves which may alter the results, but thats for a different post.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 03:02:53 am
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on January 05, 2015, 08:18:12 pmIt used to be very strict in Oz,back in the day,but thanks to the marvels of "deregulation",it's pretty much left up to the tower owner nowadays.You get good owners & bad owners!The normal setup was to have two separate lamp circuits,so that if one was lost,or had most of its globes out,the tower would still be illuminated.There were ammeters on each circuit so the currents of each circuit could be compared,& in some cases,automatic devices which sent an alarm if they were out of balance (indicating one or more failed lamps).The highest tower I ever climbed was a 475ft "self-supporting"tower----these aren't bad,as they are really just like a building with out any skin,with landings,& levels you could rest at on the way up.I never had any wish to climb any of the "guyed masts",the biggest in Western Australia(apart from "tower Zero" at Exmouth,which is 1200ft),is around 700ft---straight up!CH10 put strobelights on their tower,which worked well,but the locals complained that the flashing lights kept them awake at night,so now they only use the strobes during the day,& have conventional lights for nightime use.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2015, 03:49:26 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on January 05, 2015, 08:52:45 pmA newly wedded bride noticed that her husband placed two cups on the nightstand, one full with water and the other empty. When asked, the husband explained, "when I wake up in the middle of the night, sometimes I am thirsty and sometimes I am not."

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 01:28:02 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on January 06, 2015, 03:02:53 amhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVLY-TV_mastandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KXJB-TV_mastBoth about a 3 1/2 hour drive from where I live. Hurts the neck to look at it from the road.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2015, 09:40:32 pm
content: "The top of the KTHI mast is reachable by a two-person service elevator".Be still my beating heart, that is one elevator repair call I would hesitate to make (assuming I came out of retirement).

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 02:38:05 am
content: Quote from: Skimask on January 08, 2015, 01:28:02 pmPretty flat country in North Dakota!!Even in most parts of Oz,we can find some sort of hill to stick a mast on,but sometimes they are in funny places.I used to work right at the bottom of a "four hundred & something foot" guyed mast---right in the middle of a farmer's paddock!One day,I heard this roaring sound .Looking outside, I expected to see the farmer showing off his new tractor,but no!---it was a crop-spraying aircraft happily weaving his way between the guy wires as he did his job.I did a quick mental survey of what part of the building was likely to withstand hundreds of tons of mast falling on it,& decided --none!.Oh well!He missed them all,so everything was OK.The MF Broadcast masts are even more interesting,as the whole vertical structure is the antenna,which rests on a huge porcelain insulator.I have delightful memories of lying under one of these,at 2am one chilly winter's morning,checking & cleaning the insulator.Not what most people think of as Electronics work!

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 03:47:23 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on January 09, 2015, 02:38:05 amSomeone from Dakota told me that if you think you see a hill there, its just the curvature of the earth fooling you.

author: Riotpack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 04:36:42 am
content: They should stack 4 beacons on top of each other, or have 4 bulbs so when 1 blows the next one turns on

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 05:10:41 am
content: Quote from: Riotpack on January 09, 2015, 04:36:42 amThey often do that, having redundant lights along with redundant power supplies for them.Think about the guys who have the job of painting the tower, you have to have a winch to haul paint up, and start from the top first checking for corrosion, repairing it then painting and working your way down. Think how long an extension cord you need to go up to the top to use things like welders, drills and grinders. That is one reason for the tower workers to love inverter welders, can you think of carrying a iron cored buzzbox up to the top.

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2015, 11:41:07 am
content: Not antenna masts, but in UK we used to have this old chap who was a a bit of a celeb steeple jack.He was also a huge engineering boffin within his "age/field" (think old victorian stuff).Anyhoo, have a search for Fred Dibnah, he did lots of filming of his work.Here's one I found first google:Not sure if that's my PC being funny or the vid has sound problems, here's another: