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

another_casualty

youth_leader said:

I do feel for you.  I'm only 5 foot 2 tall and found it hellish dangling at the top of the ladder trying to do mine. Have you got a head torch you can wear for the photos?  Luckily my daughter has taught me to use the volume button to take photos on my IPhone one handed.

I was saying a few choice words to myself , reminding me that I should have a torch in the flat and stop relying on the iPhone too much .
Thanks for your concern , and I'm glad you got sorted 😼

another_casualty

Bendy_House said:

Ooooh, yeessss - you have been great entertainment

Thank you jeepers / BH . One could say I've brightened up the week somewhat 😼

FaceHead

I'd recommend you identify the size of the hole in the ceiling, and get new downlights that fit the holes you have in the ceiling.

Trying to change the size of the hole sounds like a nightmare. So either look up the light and find the size hole it commands, and/or measure the hole, and look for commonly available ones that fit. 

Hopefully the existing one has straightforward push or screw fittings inside that black box where you can disconnect it (throwing away the black box and everything downstream of it), and then connect the new light and pop it in. 

You might as well replace the lot, so that they match, and because if one is gone, the others are probably on their last legs.

Max wattage is really a non-issue as the new ones will (I assume) be LEDs

Bendy_House

I'm sure the combined assistance of this forum will get you back on track.

An initial Google for the Steeple produces these as a side result; https://www.denmans.co.uk/den/root-category/Lighting,-Lamps-&-Bulbs/Downlights/KSR-KSRFRD374-Firebreak-QR-LED-Dimmable-Downlight-7W-CCT-3000-4000-6000K-White/p/2501117625

I have no idea if they will do the job, but they are 'dimmable' (which your Steeple apparently was - did you know?!), IP65 (in case the folk in the flat above have an 'ooops'), and are also fire-rated (which I suspect is important - good call by GDB over the double-p'board). 

Can you confirm the dims of the hole?

another_casualty

I'm pausing for a while , incase some good folk here
should come up for a straightforward replacement . Tbh I think the if I started looking at different types of fittings / adjusting size of holes etc may be a bit overkill . Surely there should be something the same size and wattage . I live in hope . 

I have to look at the bright side . Living room apart ( which has straightforward fittings) , only 1 light in the kitchen packed up about 2yearsvago. The other one is on the blink now,
I will change all 6 dowlighters  in kitchen should I manage to get the correct ones needed..

victor2

I'm sure you'll find ones to fit your holes!
Personally I'd avoid sealed units and get ones you can change the bulbs in. In my experience, the only way LED bulbs will last the 10,000+ hours they claim is if you never switch them on. 

another_casualty

Good point @victor2
I tend to think that the sealed units are there for a reason . They are in kitchen , bathroom and hallway . I'd say that the standard ones although much more straightforward wouldn't last as long . 

I am now contemplating whether to get an electrician in which may not be as expensive if he does the lot . 

Sandtree

another_casualty said:

Good point @victor2
I tend to think that the sealed units are there for a reason . They are in kitchen , bathroom and hallway . I'd say that the standard ones although much more straightforward wouldn't last as long . 

I am now contemplating whether to get an electrician in which may not be as expensive if he does the lot . 

You can get fire and water rated ones that still arent a fully sealed unit because they take changable GU10 bulbs. 

another_casualty

Final update ;
There was a burning smell and the other light was flickering but still not quitting.
It was becoming a safety concern as well as the pita it was ..

so I just said “ to hell with it ! Get a a quote from electrician!” 

I am probably going to get a few comments saying that I shouldn’t have etc. but when it gets serious and something that has to be done , then peace of mind is my only option .

So , the electrician who was recommended by my builder friend and from the seller of my flat ( plus recent posts on next door ) gave me a quote mid morning . 

He left around 2.30pm ,after changing the six light fittings in the kitchen . 

I paid £280 for his fast and efficient work

I was going to pay via my banking app.
However, as I was intending to do so, the battery on my iPad died and is being charged up as I type this on my iPhone 
I paid a little extra . imho , the best way to deal with good trades people .

He updated the old fittings and I am up to date / brighter fittings etc

I asked his opinion about the other fittings in hallway and bathroom. 4 in hallway /3 in bathroom.
He advised me to do nothing as yet , but will be there next year if any go in future/next year.
If one goes in the respective area then I’ll get all changed in that area at the same time . It does mean I have 2 future bills , but the light fittings should last 5years once changed . I can’t complain with only 2 lights packing up in4+ years so far.

One other thing; I paid mist of the payment today in the old£20 notes .
The remainder of those have to be paid into the bank early next year . 

Thanks for your input 

I’ll leave it there ..💡📢