desk lamps and basking lamps

[rockanfo]

I picked up a $10 cheapy desk lamp from kmart the other day with the aim of using it as a "basking" lamp for my stimmy enclosure. Works a treat, she loves it.
The only issue is now I'm concerned about leaving it on unattended in the house all day as these things are notorious for generating alot of heat (metal lamp shade) and worried about it potentially starting a fire or something.

Just wondering whether anyone is using or has come across this issue with desklamps before?

My main aim is trying to avoid paying $80 or more for a packaged basking lamp from the pet store, as I always thought they were just overpriced desklamps.

And another question while I'm on the topic.
Are the 'official' basking lamps designed not to generate alot of heat behind it (like desklamps do) and are therefore considered intrinsically safe?

 

[saximus]

I have a basking lamp and it still gets quite hot around the back. I've also used desk lamps for basking for hatchy beardies. If you have it set up somewhere that it won't some into contact with anything there shouldn't be a fire hazard. Just be careful how close it gets to the side of the enclosure. I melted the side of a click clack with one of them

 

[cadwallader]

Hey mate i use a clip-on desk lamp for one of my turtle tanks attached the a timer and it worked a treat, my aim was also money the lamp was $20 bulb $10 bargain

 

[saximus]

Also if you get proper basking globes they are designed to aim most of their heat forward too

 

[LippyM]

One of the main things to be careful with when buying desk lamps is to check if the socket is ceramic or not. A ceramic socket can take high wattage globes, mine takes up to 150w.

Most desk lamps don't have a ceramic socket so are only good for globes of 40 watt or small 60watt.

If you're using a higher wattage globe than that then you will need a ceramic socket for it. Most desk lamps or household lamps aren't desgined to be on all day and are only for low wattage globes so their housing doesn't need to be very heat proof.

I learned the hard way about 10 years ago but luckily was home to watch the lamp casing melt, smoulder and burn....and that was with a recommended wattage globe in it.

 

[saximus]

Wow I guess I stand corrected on the fire hazard thing then. Glad to hear the story didn't end too badly Lippy. You'd like to think that since that was 10 years ago they have improved safety standards though

 

[rockanfo]

Thanks for the replies. Yeh $10 cheap lamp from kmart, with a $2 40W incandescant needle bayonet globe in it. (Note these are a pain in the rear to find).
It's pointing sideways into a glass fronted front opening enclosure. So no chance of a meltdown event. It's a wooden box otherwise. Was thinking of cutting a hole in the top and putting flymesh over the hole and having the lamp point down through it in a "sun bask" fashion.

 

[sesa-sayin]

i had about 20 of the asian-shop. clip-on desk lamps a couple of yearsago over many tanks..fire not a problem..have moved on from them for several reasons, average cost about $11 each

 

[rockanfo]

Nah, standards don't mean jack when the goods are imported from China and the 'duty of care" and "due diligence" is not applicable for the importee... until they get dragged through our debacle that we call a justice system.
So yeh... think I may have to look at getting a proper bask lamp and set it on a timer. Damn... another $200.

 

[saximus]

Have you considered getting a proper ceramic socket installed in the enclosure? They are quite cheap to buy and probably about the same as a basking lamp once it's installed by a professional

 

[rockanfo]

Nope, not considered at all. Sources? PM if we not allowed to advertise freely here.

 

[LippyM]

Have you considered getting a proper ceramic socket installed in the enclosure? They are quite cheap to buy and probably about the same as a basking lamp once it's installed by a professional

I agree, a good ceramic socket might cost a little more but it'll last you forever.

For snakes I use the flange ones with a cage over them and for lizards I use the (exo terra?) ones that have the dome on them that is coated in glow in the dark stuff on the inside. Does a great job at keeping the heat focused down and the moonglow after lights out is great. I've used the sames ones for 10 years.

I use phillips spotone globes from bunnings or k-mart, target etc.

Having said that, if you're only using 40w globes then it shouldn't be a problem using a desk lamp. As long as it's no higher than the recommended wattage then it should be fine.