cooked tailight - don't burn up your bus

[Dave5Cs]

I always use Bulbs.com because they are cheaper than most, no shipping charge, 3 days or less delivery and they always have all the bulbs on one site 12 or 24volt.

[richard5933]

Cheaper isn't always better. Some of the import bulbs are so poorly made that they'll twist apart the first time you go to install them. Not saying that they're all bad, but I'd rather pay a few cents more to buy from someone like Luke that knows he's got something that will last.

[dtcerrato]

I used to think that way too before retirement now there's too much month left at the end of the money! Inflation has a fixed income thinking more frugal then the cash flow years... I'll say this - even in the income years when I purchased crew tools - I could buy a dozen HF side grinders for example for the cost of one Milwaukee. One drop from heights & the tool is done - guess which one I bought... 

[chessie4905]

find nos on ebay.

[richard5933]

I used to think that way too before retirement now there's too much month left at the end of the money! Inflation has a fixed income thinking more frugal then the cash flow years... I'll say this - even in the income years when I purchased crew tools - I could buy a dozen HF side grinders for example for the cost of one Milwaukee. One drop from heights & the tool is done - guess which one I bought... 

I hear you Dan, but some things are important enough to me to get the good stuff. Electrical components are on that list. I've seen some cheaper components which just weren't up to the task and could be a fire hazard, such as crimp on terminals without enough metal to actually hold a crimp. Same for bulbs which have the glass spin in the base because they weren't fastened properly. Things like bulbs and wire terminals don't add that much to the budget, even with the good stuff.

[Jim Blackwood]

Getting close to time for me to stock up on angle grinders again. I like to keep at least 4 of them on the bench. One with a zip blade, maybe 2 with flapper wheels, and one with a wire brush, and then if I have an extra, put a hard wheel on that one. Saves a lot of time and if I can buy them for $20 each it makes sense.

Jim

[Dave5Cs]

Cheaper isn't always better. Some of the import bulbs are so poorly made that they'll twist apart the first time you go to install them. Not saying that they're all bad, but I'd rather pay a few cents more to buy from someone like Luke that knows he's got something that will last.

These are good bulbs Richard they are G.E.'s and the like.
I like Luke too but for we west coasters it take a while to get things and the price is high for shipping.

Same here Dan I did a lot of tile and grout work over the years and those grinders would load up with sand etc. We would just take them back and they give you a new one. I had three in my truck at all times, LOL

Richard its funny how you put down the bulbs I suggested without even knowing what they were but in your mind Luke would be better. Your a funny guy sometimes. Way to much time on your hands.

[richard5933]

...Richard its funny how you put down the bulbs I suggested without even knowing what they were but in your mind Luke would be better. Your a funny guy sometimes. Way to much time on your hands.

If you read what I wrote, it wasn't a comment specifically about the bulbs you got at all. I even said not all imported bulbs are bad. It was more a general warning about going for the cheaper (usually imported) bulbs which are often of unknown quality and not name brands.

Why do I recommend Luke's items so often? He knows how we're using them, knows what we expect, and generally speaking will source out items which will actually do the job even if they cost a little more.

Having bought more than a few bulbs in the process of owning two buses and a lot of vintage cars, I stand behind my advice to use caution when trying to save money on electrical components, whether bulbs or other items like terminals.

[dtcerrato]

We purchased two ultraviolet sterilization pond lights. Name brand were over a $100 a pop we ordered the two from China - took awhile to get here and both were under $32 and are running fine. In our metal gang box on the top shelf when tou open it are six side grinders with a variety of cutting & grinding blades & wire wheels & cones - no changing needed - just grab & do...

[richard5933]

We purchased two ultraviolet sterilization pond lights. Name brand were over a $100 a pop we ordered the two from China - took awhile to get here and both were under $32 and are running fine. In our metal gang box on the top shelf when tou open it are six side grinders with a variety of cutting & grinding blades & wire wheels & cones - no changing needed - just grab & do...

Dan - there's no need to prove to me that there are quality items coming from China, just like there's no need for me to prove that some no-name imported items are junk. We both know that it's possible for both to be true.

All I was saying was that with things like electrical components it's important to use a quality item. In my experience name brand items deliver that more often than not, as does buying from a reputable dealer like Luke.

I'm all in favor of saving a buck when possible, but I think that there are times when it's possible to be penny wise and pound foolish.

[Jim Blackwood]

With electrical connectors you should always use the best you can get any time you plan to keep the vehicle. If at all possible always use gas sealed connectors and cross link insulated wires as they are now proven to have a decades old life expectancy. Do everything possible to exclude air from the conductors. Air contains oxygen and oxygen corrodes nearly all metals. Corrosion is your enemy. As for bulbs, advances have been made in bulb connectors and if you can take advantage of those reliability goes up. However it is still possible to grease up the contacts with something like this product:

https://rrtools.com/product/no-ox/

Which will improve reliability considerably by both keeping the air out and deoxidizing the contacts.

Jim

[Dave5Cs]

Quote from Richard,"It was more a general warning about going for the cheaper (usually imported) bulbs which are often of unknown quality and not name brands."

Thanks Richard but I really don't need or want your advice every time I make a suggestion. It is only from something that worked for me and might work for someone else. Like Dan I must watch the end of the month also and do look for good quality but also price and free shipping when possible.

[Van]

C'mon man! Aren't all bulbs created equal? like engine oil right? 

[richard5933]

Quote from Richard, It was more a general warning about going for the cheaper (usually imported) bulbs which are often of unknown quality and not name brands.

Thanks Richard but I really don't need or want your advice every time I make a suggestion. It is only from something that worked for me and might work for someone else. Like Dan I must watch the end of the month also and do look for good quality but also price and free shipping when possible.

Not sure how to respond here...

I thought that this was an interactive forum. Get the feeling I'm being told to sit back and shut up. How long does one need to be on this forum to be allowed to comment about what others post?

[Dave5Cs]

Not at all I gave my suggestion on the Bulbs I buy because of what has worked for me. That didn't involve you. I was responding to the thread poster.
You have every right to respond also not a problem. But when you had said that he should try Luke that was your response and then I responded not putting down your's but explaining why I use them and you proceeded to give me advice and tell me again about Luke as you always do. I explained why I don't use him much because it cost to much to send across the country thats all.
Again not a problem except it had already been said and then you explained to me why I was wrong. Just sayin.