How do I get this light fitting off to change Halogen ceiling lightbulbs

Bendy_House

I have to say, your username doesn't inspire much confidence...

another_casualty

Well I had my first proper attempt at removal of fitting ..and failed ! 

Not surprising . This is because paranoia has set in after managing to pull the fitting out only about a quarter of the way out of the ceiling . 

I was resembling someone who had flour tipped over them , due to the amount of debris coming from the ceiling as I try to force the fitting out . 

I have tried and failed, to try to get the fitting to move anti clockwise to see if that helps.
It doesn't ! 

I have been heavy handed with things in the past , but it is true what is said above ..those clips are too hard and stubborn . 

Looking at that video shown above , I do think that the bulbs are the same standard GU10
Getting them out to confirm is the problem .

I'm wondering if the whole unit has to be replaced , or just the lightbulb .
As I say, I pulled the fitting from the edge of the plastic outside and not inside where the bulb is . 

If I do manage to get the unit out of the ceiling , how hard is it to put back in ? 

Any more advice ,and perhaps a video would be very much appreciated ..

another_casualty

Bendy_House said:

I have to say, your username doesn't inspire much confidence...

😸can't argue with that .  Having said that , the amount of casualties we have it's surprising nobody beat me to it . 

It has to be said ,I did prefer your last username 😼

Racky_Roo

to put them back in you bend the clips back, whilst holding them pop it back in the ceiling. Once back in the clips open and hold the fitting in place

another_casualty

GDB2222 said:

But you do need one of these: 
https://www.screwfix.com/p/wolfcraft-wfc-5499000-gu10-lamp-removal-tool/6084k

I've just ordered one of those, which should be with me tomorrow .worth a punt . 

Will keep you posted 

Bendy_House

A-C, yes, you'll get debris falling through - some of it is just accumulated dust up there, and some will be from these springs digging in to the edges of the plaster - hence why you should take as much pressure off them as you can by pressing them inwards as soon as they show themselves.

Er, don't try and rotate the fitting - this will just make the springs grind into the bare plaster edges and create more debris!  

IF the type of fitting you have there has a removable cover - the white rim you look at - then the lamp can be removed from the fitting without first having to pull out the whole fitting out of the ceiling. But it's hard to know whether it's this type. If the white cover is removable, then it'll either prise off (which I think would have happened by now) or it needs rotating off (I'd have thought anti-clock as you've tried), but don't allow the whole fitting to turn.

I don't think that sucker tool is going to help you, alas - that's for lamps which are not also held in by a decorative rim.

By all means wait and see if the tool helps, but - really - you are 80% of the way there in removing the fitting and then you'll know for sure. Big deep breath, get up there, go "GRRRRRRRR!", and pull the damned thing out. Fingertips right in there, and ease out each side in turns, a quarter-inch. Once the fitting is out more than an inch or so, the springs will be fully visible. Another "GRRRRRR!" - these springs are perfectly squeezable; grip the rim either side, get your fingertips pressed in against that spring until it is flexed inwards, and then pull the whole fitting straight out. Ease off the pressure on the springs. Jobbie jobbed.

Then you can work out if the cover does undo with a part-turn.

Yes, it's 'easy' to replace the fitting. You'll have got used to just how springy the springs are - they are just 'awkward', that's all - not finger-chopping strong. 

These fittings are also cheap to buy should you need to. T'in-laws had their kitchen revamped around 6 years ago, with new black 'tops and knobs on their white fronts. I replaced all their halogen downlighters at the same time as the old ones had 'yellowed'. I persuaded them to go black-rim, and fitted LED lamps in them - and added around a further half-dozen to the ceiling at the same time. It looked really good, and completed the black/white look. By keeping an eye out on t'Bay, I got them for only a few squid each.

another_casualty

Grrrrr has been replaced by a few other expletives I cannot repeat here 😼
I looked at your advice @Bendy_House and made another effort to get the blasted thing out . 

I did get as far as following your lead of pushing the lightbulb inwards while not rotating the fitting sleeve ( that's what I'll call it ) . I tried more forceful pressure pulling the fitting down by the fitting sleeve . The thing is , unless you are experienced in this particular type of obstructive fitting the feeling I get is that if I were to pull the whole thing down ( which is impossible at present ) it may lead to other problems . 

I'll wait till tomorrow now . 

I do wonder though if the inventor of this particular light fitting is still with us , or did he die of electrocution ..

Ganga

another_casualty said:

Grrrrr has been replaced by a few other expletives I cannot repeat here 😼
I looked at your advice @Bendy_House and made another effort to get the blasted thing out . 

I did get as far as following your lead of pushing the lightbulb inwards while not rotating the fitting sleeve ( that's what I'll call it ) . I tried more forceful pressure pulling the fitting down by the fitting sleeve . The thing is , unless you are experienced in this particular type of obstructive fitting the feeling I get is that if I were to pull the whole thing down ( which is impossible at present ) it may lead to other problems . 

I'll wait till tomorrow now . 

I do wonder though if the inventor of this particular light fitting is still with us , or did he die of electrocution ..

They were assassinated by some irate DIY,ers   

another_casualty

Ganga said:

another_casualty said:

Grrrrr has been replaced by a few other expletives I cannot repeat here 😼
I looked at your advice @Bendy_House and made another effort to get the blasted thing out . 

I did get as far as following your lead of pushing the lightbulb inwards while not rotating the fitting sleeve ( that's what I'll call it ) . I tried more forceful pressure pulling the fitting down by the fitting sleeve . The thing is , unless you are experienced in this particular type of obstructive fitting the feeling I get is that if I were to pull the whole thing down ( which is impossible at present ) it may lead to other problems . 

I'll wait till tomorrow now . 

I do wonder though if the inventor of this particular light fitting is still with us , or did he die of electrocution ..

They were assassinated by some irate DIY,ers   

Yes ! I could very much believe that .😼 . Probabky sparkies ..

Section62

another_casualty said:

I do wonder though if the inventor of this particular light fitting is still with us , or did he die of electrocution ..

They should definitely be charged with something....