CFL overheating

[ErnestHemingway]

This year I'm going for it. I got 4 Berry Bomb + 2 freebies in Pineapple Skunk and OG Kush. I transplanted from small growpots to bigger plastic 2 days ago. I was under only 2 CFL's, a 23 watt 5000k bulb and a 60ish watt "warm" CFL. Went to Home Depot and got 4 more 23 watt 5000k's and small balasts for all. Had to buy a two prong to three prong converter for my timer. No extension cord so I have an extra power surge protector running between the timer and the 1st surge.
Now the problem. These bulbs have been going out. They are hot at the base, and they don't work. Actually, two of them, I pulled out and let cool, but after re-screwing them in, they worked for a bit before stopping and dying for good.
Is the two prong converter the problem? Is it that I have every plug on the surge filled? The extra use of a surge protector as a makeshift extension cord? Annoying. I'm eventually growing outside, and I would like not to spend more time and money on lighting that I will only use for another 30 days.
Thanks guys.

 

[BOMBAYCAT]

I have been using small CFL (23 Watt) in a light bar for years in vegging early for the outside grow. I also used a 3 to 2 prong adapter for the timer. I do have an extension cord for the rig. I have had no problems except the latest batch of CFL from Home Depot has one bulb which starts out very dim and gradually comes up bright. I know there are problems when using a dimmer switch with CFL's. Do you electricians know if the power switch works in the same way as a dimmer switch?