"Bad" products---

Hi All,
FYI---
A couple of months ago, or so, there was a discussion about bad, new, tubes--
At that time I stated that I had run across some new 5U4's that only lasted about 90 days, some EH 6973's, that were "bad from the get go", and some EH 12AX7's that were also bad from the start--At that time I did not know any of the code dates of these tubes. Upon "cleaning up" my bench, yesterday, I found a bad 12AX7,from that batch--the code date is 0810. I must re-state that not all of the 12AX7's with this code date were bad, but MOST were.
On another "bad product"--I just got some "Eico" (brand) flour. lamp starters. These are marked "FSU-120 volt--FSU-120 volt- 4 to 30 watt, with condenser China". (no--not my typo--they are marked that twice ) Well, they "ain't worth a hoot" for a 30 watt lamp--tried the whole box, none would lite several different 36 in T-8 lamps/sockets ballasts. I used one the other day for a 20 watt lamp--no problem--- Ron Rich

Those so-called "universal" starters aren't worth a hoot. I like to use the correct size starter for the size of the tube.

I prefer to use the Surelite brand:

http://www.fluorescentstarter.com/

In my experience, the Surelite has been the most reliable.

Hi Ken,
I agree--I have had good luck with Surelite--however, they are no longer made in the USA. Hopefully, the quality has not degenerated--Ron Rich

I got a box of 7-watt light bulbs at a warehouse clearance store about ten years ago. Every one of them burned out when first turned on, smoking inside as a lamp does when it loses vacuum. The idiot merchandiser had them drilled through the bases to mark them as seconds - right through the sealed exhausting tips.

Hi All,
My "stink-O-meter" went off on this one--
I don't know what, other then the outrageous price, is wrong with eBay Item: 281046568338--but SOMETHING sure is! The picture shown, of the inside, is not that of a working SMC. A critical part is missing, without which it can not "work". Ron Rich