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How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb?
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 2013-01-16 1:11 PM |
Veteran  362   CT |  Subject: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb?Trying to change a light bulb in my ceiling fan. I can't unscrew the darn thing because when I turn it to the left the socket that it is in also turns. So I guess the socket has come loose from the fixture/fan? It just turns and turns - I think I am just twisting the wires. Anyone else run into this and find a way to fix it? This is happening on a couple of my fans and soon I won't be able to see. We don't want that do we? |
| 2013-01-16 1:38 PM in reply to: #4581322 |
Expert 1111 Albuquerque, NM | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? There's no way you can get to the socket to hold it while you are unscrewing the light bulb? Would breaking the bulb allow you to remove whatever is blocking access to the socket? |
| 2013-01-16 1:46 PM in reply to: #4581322 |
Elite 5145 Cleveland | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? ctbrian - 2013-01-16 2:11 PM Trying to change a light bulb in my ceiling fan. I can't unscrew the darn thing because when I turn it to the left the socket that it is in also turns. So I guess the socket has come loose from the fixture/fan? It just turns and turns - I think I am just twisting the wires. Anyone else run into this and find a way to fix it? This is happening on a couple of my fans and soon I won't be able to see. We don't want that do we?
It only takes one, but it's a timed event, (s)he'll need a multi-meter, three sets of needle nose pliers, two different colors of electrical tape, Scotch locks (three different sizes, two of each), wire strippers, three sets of safety goggles (clear, tinted, and polarized), "low drag" fish tape, a potato, and two carbon screwdrivers (flat blade & phillips). Then there is the ongoing debate between incandescent or compact flourescent.... some prefer to run compacts.
Flip-turn right-y tighty, flip-turn lefty loosey.
Edited by cgregg 2013-01-16 1:46 PM |
| 2013-01-16 1:54 PM in reply to: #4581322 |
Expert 3126 Boise, ID | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb?
Grab the socket with one hand and the bulb with the other. If you can't reach the socket, break the bulb till you can. Then fix it before you put the new one in. |
| 2013-01-16 2:10 PM in reply to: #4581387 |
Pro 6191 | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? cgregg - 2013-01-16 2:46 PM It only takes one, but it's a timed event, (s)he'll need a multi-meter, three sets of needle nose pliers, two different colors of electrical tape, Scotch locks (three different sizes, two of each), wire strippers, three sets of safety goggles (clear, tinted, and polarized), "low drag" fish tape, a potato, and two carbon screwdrivers (flat blade & phillips). ... and a paperclip, a rubber band, and a stick of gum. McGyver that shyte. |
| 2013-01-16 2:25 PM in reply to: #4581322 |
Master 1517 Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? One... no outside help is allowed |
| 2013-01-16 2:29 PM in reply to: #4581424 |
Elite 5145 Cleveland | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? ratherbeswimming - 2013-01-16 3:10 PM cgregg - 2013-01-16 2:46 PM It only takes one, but it's a timed event, (s)he'll need a multi-meter, three sets of needle nose pliers, two different colors of electrical tape, Scotch locks (three different sizes, two of each), wire strippers, three sets of safety goggles (clear, tinted, and polarized), "low drag" fish tape, a potato, and two carbon screwdrivers (flat blade & phillips). ... and a paperclip, a rubber band, and a stick of gum. McGyver that shyte. and a HRM |
| 2013-01-16 3:03 PM in reply to: #4581456 |
| Austin, Texas or Jupiter, Florida | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? cgregg - 2013-01-16 2:29 PM ratherbeswimming - 2013-01-16 3:10 PM cgregg - 2013-01-16 2:46 PM It only takes one, but it's a timed event, (s)he'll need a multi-meter, three sets of needle nose pliers, two different colors of electrical tape, Scotch locks (three different sizes, two of each), wire strippers, three sets of safety goggles (clear, tinted, and polarized), "low drag" fish tape, a potato, and two carbon screwdrivers (flat blade & phillips). ... and a paperclip, a rubber band, and a stick of gum. McGyver that shyte. and a HRM And a bucket of water to stand in while you're touching the broken bulb that is still connected to the live socket... Actually, that was wrong. Make sure the light is off when you're messing with the light bulb. I don't like the "break it" advice, but completely understand that sometimes that's the best you can hope for. Edited by GomesBolt 2013-01-16 3:04 PM |
| 2013-01-16 3:21 PM in reply to: #4581401 |
Pro 4313 McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? Aarondb4 - 2013-01-16 1:54 PM
Grab the socket with one hand and the bulb with the other. If you can't reach the socket, break the bulb till you can. Then fix it before you put the new one in. A couple of things on this..... Make sure the breaker is off (hopefully that was step one). Then use a pair of needlenose pliars to get the rest of the bulb out. Also....use a VERY small amount of vaseline on the socket/bulb when you screw a new one in. Twist the new bulb in until tight and then turn back 1/4 turn so it doesn't happen again) |
| 2013-01-16 3:23 PM in reply to: #4581322 |
Champion 16151 Checkin' out the podium girls | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? Home Depot fixture? Can't tell you how many of these do this in my house which I've bought there. If you break it, you can spread a pair of needle nose pliers in the socket of the bulb and manage to get the bulb base turning. Or, if glass remains, you can push a cut potato on it so you can turn the broken bulb. Cut the power at the breaker. Just take that extra step to be sure. |
| 2013-01-16 7:43 PM in reply to: #4581322 |
Veteran 361 Colorful Colorado | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? |
| 2013-01-16 8:39 PM in reply to: #4581456 |
Expert 1095 C-bus | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? cgregg - 2013-01-16 3:29 PM ratherbeswimming - 2013-01-16 3:10 PM cgregg - 2013-01-16 2:46 PM It only takes one, but it's a timed event, (s)he'll need a multi-meter, three sets of needle nose pliers, two different colors of electrical tape, Scotch locks (three different sizes, two of each), wire strippers, three sets of safety goggles (clear, tinted, and polarized), "low drag" fish tape, a potato, and two carbon screwdrivers (flat blade & phillips). ... and a paperclip, a rubber band, and a stick of gum. McGyver that shyte. and a HRM Don't forget to mark which ceiling fan and which bulb it is with a helium balloon. You don't want to get lost while your transitioning from one step to the other... |
| 2013-01-16 9:52 PM in reply to: #4581322 |
Veteran 566 Boise, ID | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? And don't forget to log your "workout"... |
| 2013-01-17 7:04 AM in reply to: #4581322 |
Champion 14571 the alamo city, Texas | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? nothing new on race day. make sure you are wearing clothes you wore the last time you changed a light bulb, and for christ sake please test your nutrition out first. you don't want to be in the middle of the job and get cramping or worse! |
| 2013-01-17 8:10 AM in reply to: #4581322 |
| Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? First lay a large towel on the ground, get a 5 gallon bucket about half full of water, now go to the garage get at least one ladder, several tool boxes arrange them neatly on the towell now grab severl changes of clothes and arrange them neatly on the towel and scatter some of them around near the towel. Get a couple more towels to put on the ladder. Get a bio hazard suit lay it on the ladder and think about what you'll need for nutrition. Now go back to post #4581424 and follow those instruction.
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| 2013-01-17 9:43 AM in reply to: #4581322 |
Pro 4675 Wisconsin near the Twin Cities metro | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? None. They call an electrician to do it so that when the electrician arrives they can somehow work "I'm training for an Ironman and don't have time to change a light bulb" into the conversation... Edited by Birkierunner 2013-01-17 9:46 AM |
| 2013-01-17 9:51 AM in reply to: #4582462 |
| Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? Birkierunner - 2013-01-17 7:43 AM None. They call an electrician to do it so that when the electrician arrives they can somehow work "I'm training for an Ironman and don't have time to change a light bulb" into the conversation... FTW |
| 2013-01-19 8:46 PM in reply to: #4581860 |
Champion 6503 NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? One to turn the breaker off Same one to remove the bulb with pliers (If you let the other one turn off the breaker... and it doesn't happen...
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| 2013-01-20 1:02 AM in reply to: #4581535 |
Master 3127 Sunny Southern Cal | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? pitt83 - 2013-01-16 1:23 PM Home Depot fixture? Can't tell you how many of these do this in my house which I've bought there. If you break it, you can spread a pair of needle nose pliers in the socket of the bulb and manage to get the bulb base turning. Or, if glass remains, you can push a cut potato on it so you can turn the broken bulb. Cut the power at the breaker. Just take that extra step to be sure. You bought your house at Home Depot? |
| 2013-01-20 7:31 AM in reply to: #4581322 |
| Member 354 | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? Turn the breaker off and use a potato (yes, a potato) to "grab" the jagged bits of glass left behind when you broke the bulb off and unscrew what's left in the lamp socket. Needle nose pliers work, but you may end up just breaking off more glass shards unless you have a light touch.
EDIT: just saw the potato scenario was already mentioned..... Edited by danimal123 2013-01-20 7:32 AM |
| 2013-01-27 4:04 AM in reply to: #4581322 |
Regular 302 Georgetown, KY | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? there are probably small screws holding the glass globe to the fixture. take them out, remove the globe, then you can grab ahold of the socket and the the bulb to turn it. no breaking required... |
| 2013-01-27 10:31 AM in reply to: #4581322 |
Master 2538 Albuquerque | Subject: RE: How many triathletes does it take to change a light bulb? I've never been able to have the potato method work. Just break it and use pliers. |
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