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[LST-1162]

I have found that when a light bulb burns out in a socket rocket, that particular unit no longer works!  Is this something that can be repaired by me, or just toss it out and buy a new one?  Since I am retired and having a limited income, that last option doesn't look good to me.

Thanks for and all responses.

[Brian H]

Best to just toss it out. As trying to get one apart so it can be reassembled is not possible.
I have seen tear down information on them but the part that most likely failed is riveted to the heat sink.
 
Was the failed bulb a incandescent or one of the energy saving halogen ones that replace the banned incandescent bulbs?
You may want to try a different brand bulb as some are less likely to short when the filament fails.

[dave w]

LST for what it's worth:

A long time ago an X10 employee told me that Phillips brand bulb has better filament support so are less likely to generate the high inductive kick when the filament fails (that bright blue flash and "tink" sound when the bulb burns out). That flash is what causes the Socket Rocket to fail (usually in the ON state). Also you could try a "Rough Service" style bulb which generally has strong filament support. Also my personal experience with halogen bulbs is when they burn out, it tends to be a "slow" burn out with out the bright flash, so the Socket Rocket may withstand a halogen burnout. Also the Socket Rocket should play nice with either CFL or LED bulbs, which do not "burn out" and fail in the conventional sense. If you switch to CFL or LED I would recommend the dimmable variety, even though the Socket Rocket can not dim. The dimmable bulb will be more tolerant of the slight distortion of the AC power that the Socket Rocket injects when on.

Both Brian H and I have technical backgrounds and have tried to replace the "triac" (the part that fails) in the Socket Rocket. It is a small bodied part, not readily available (like at Radio Shack). Additionally the Socket Rocket has three small circuit boards crammed in to the small housing. Once those three boards come out, putting them back after repair is the proverbial five pounds in a three pound bag.  I don't know if Brian got his to work, but I gave up trying to jam mine back together without everything shorting out.

If me, I would get a new Socket Rocket and use an LED bulb rather than incandescent. Good luck.

[bkenobi]

I don't have a technical background like brianh or davew but I did have a failed SocketRocket that I disassembled.  In my case, I drew too much current through the module and burnt it up.  I pulled it apart and it was literally charred to a point of the board falling apart.  If a standard failed SocketRocket is similar to my experience, it's not worth it as everything is damaged beyond repair.  I can't find the thread, but I posted pictures of the failed module ~2 years ago.

[LST-1162]

I want to thank you gentlemen for your responses to my inquiry.  I was hoping that I could fix them. 

[HA Dave]

LST for what it's worth:
A long time ago an X10 employee told me that Phillips brand bulb has better filament support so are less likely to generate the high inductive kick when the filament fails (that bright blue flash and "tink" sound when the bulb burns out). ........
....... If me, I would get a new Socket Rocket and use an LED bulb rather than incandescent. Good luck.

I've switched to using LED bulbs in my socket rockets as well.