Cupboard Downlight - How to remove bulb?

Krav

Hello,

I have a couple of trianglular downlighters (G4 halogen 20W) under the kitchen cupboards whose bulbs need to be changed. However, after lots of head scratching and web searching, I cannot figure out how to remove the bulb from the enclosure. There is no spring clip to remove and turning the enclosure clockwise and anti-closewise does not seem to work. I have uploaded front and back pictures here. Any help is much appreciated.

Myser

Try a suction cup - the type you see used to hold signs/things to windows.

Krav

Tried that - it does not hold on well.

mark206000

Maybe prise it out with a small flathead, it'll maybe pop out

fluffpot

yes you need a small screwdriver under the inner silver ring - take care though they are normally quite fragile! when you replace the bulb make sure you don't touch the new one as this can shorten the lamp life - use a bit of tissue paper . Be careful to line up the two prongs as they can buckle if not pushed in at the correct angle

good luck!

Krav

Thanks all - managed to find a hair clip to pull out the inner ring and have replaced all six. The bulbs only lasted for just over a year, is that normal?

Myser

Depends on usage. If they lasted a year, that's pretty good.

Are they in an area where there is a lot of greese from cooking?

Krav

Not partcularly, the greasy stuff gets extracted out via the cooker hood.

I'm looking at replacing the ceiling downlights in the kitchen too, currenly have 10x GU10 10w energy efficient ones but they take a long time to brighten up in the kitchen, looking at LED GU10 230 lumen bulbs on ebay, are they meant to be any good?

Myser

Bulb life can depend on the manufacturing quality too. I suspect the ones supplied with the fitting were very cheap.

Post a link of the eBay LED GU10s you're thinking of buying and someone on here may be able to comment.

Krav

I am currently looking at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GU10-LED-Light-Bulbs-Warm-White-60-LED-250-Lumens-x-10-/280480026215?pt=UK_Light_Bulbs&hash=item414de98e67