One of my second-hand light canopies smells like B.O.!

[Omega]

I got a 20-gallon from my sister cycling right now.

The florescent light heats up and smells like plastic burning, sometimes I think it's BO but it turns out to be that, because the smell is similar. It's has a 24" All-Glass bulb in it that hasn't been changed in at least seven years.

It only really smells when you walk up to it and smell it, or, you sometimes catch wiffs of it as you walk by. There's no smoke or plastic warping from heat.

Time to replace the whole thing or just the bulb?

[tonytheboss1]

:cool: When was the last time it was broken down & thoroughly cleaned. You might try that + a bulb change before you toss the whole unit. "T"

[TipStylez]

Get rid of that bulb.

I dont know what type of smell it is, but if you say its like burning plastic.

Could be the bulb is starting to go and releasing a toxic gas that gives you head achs and even cause harm if kept around long enough.

[redswi]

TURN IT OFF......when a flourecent light starts to smell it is a sure sign that the ballast is going....if left on to long the ballast will leak a hot tar-like substance....replace the ballast or the whole light

[Omega]

TURN IT OFF......when a flourecent light starts to smell it is a sure sign that the ballast is going....if left on to long the ballast will leak a hot tar-like substance....replace the ballast or the whole lightI think I will, thanks.