Changing a light bulb

[KillerCharlie]

So the light bulb burned out in the bedroom of the condo I'm renting. It's a dome light that has glass in the middle and metal on the outside. The problem is that it's flush to the ceiling and I have absolutely no idea how to get it off. I tried unscrewing the metal part by turning it, but it will not budge. I'm scared to touch the glass part since I know they're usually not very strong.

How on earth do I get to the lightbulb?

 

[tfcmasta97]

So here we will finally learn:

How many ATOTers does it take to change a lightbulb?

 

[KillerCharlie]

yeah yeah I know

 

[EagleKeeper]

The metal trim should unscrew, unless you have some recessed screws holding the trim to the frame (unlikely).

You will just have to break the seal (possible from the paint.

Or else, ask the complex management/maintenance on how to replace it.

 

[mobobuff]

It's a flush ceiling light fixture, the glass part should twist counter-clockwise and come out. Or there may be 3 thumbscrews on the outside of the metal part.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
It's a flush ceiling light fixture, the glass part should twist counter-clockwise and come out. Or there may be 3 thumbscrews on the outside of the metal part.

No screws at all are visible anywhere, that's the problem.

 

[olds]

:camera:

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
So the light bulb burned out in the bedroom of the condo I'm renting. It's a dome light that has glass in the middle and metal on the outside. The problem is that it's flush to the ceiling and I have absolutely no idea how to get it off. I tried unscrewing the metal part by turning it, but it will not budge. I'm scared to touch the glass part since I know they're usually not very strong.

How on earth do I get to the lightbulb?

Just call an electrician.

or-- if there is a girl next door==call her...

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie

Originally posted by: mobobuff
It's a flush ceiling light fixture, the glass part should twist counter-clockwise and come out. Or there may be 3 thumbscrews on the outside of the metal part.

No screws at all are visible anywhere, that's the problem.

Try doing what mobobuff said. Push the dome slightly upwards and turn counter-clockwise.

 

[PottedMeat]

Take a broom handle and jam it really hard into the glass. Keep poking real hard until all the glass falls out and the bulb too. Jam a potato slice into the socket and unscrew whats left. Insert new bulb. For added entertainment leave fixture on during process.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie

Originally posted by: mobobuff
It's a flush ceiling light fixture, the glass part should twist counter-clockwise and come out. Or there may be 3 thumbscrews on the outside of the metal part.

No screws at all are visible anywhere, that's the problem.

Try doing what mobobuff said. Push the dome slightly upwards and turn counter-clockwise.

The glass dome in the middle bulges out slightly over the metal ring. The glass cannot be pushed up because the metal is in the way. Likewise, I don't see how the metal ring could pop off because the glass is in the way.

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: tfcmasta97
So here we will finally learn:

How many ATOTers does it take to change a lightbulb?

About 9 so far...and they're still at it.

 

[pennylane]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
:camera:

TTIWWP

If unscrewing the glass dome thing doesn't work, there has to be screws somewhere.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
Take a broom handle and jam it really hard into the glass. Keep poking real hard until all the glass falls out and the bulb too. Jam a potato slice into the socket and unscrew whats left. Insert new bulb. For added entertainment leave fixture on during process.

Potato slice?

My God, that is the most irresponsible advice anyone has given regarding this problem!

Everybody knows you should use a carrot.

 

[olds]

It probably pulls straight down on is on long clips.

 

[KillerCharlie]

There are definitely no external screws visible. I'm still guessing that the metal part has to be unscrewed, but I can barely move it. I'm working on the pics but they won't be very helpful... a simple paint diagram might be better.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: fanerman91

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
:camera:

TTIWWP

If unscrewing the glass dome thing doesn't work, there has to be screws somewhere.

QFT. Who doesn't have a digital camera nowadays.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

QFT. Who doesn't have a digital camera nowadays.

I have one but the battery is being charged since my last hiking trip... plus it's hard to get a good profile shot of a light fixture.

I hope they don't take away my rocket science degree...

 

[danzigrules]

there are lots of fixtures out there that ya grab the glass and just pull down. There are metal spring clips holding the glass in the base

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: danzigrules
there are lots of fixtures out there that ya grab the glass and just pull down. There are metal spring clips holding the glass in the base

Repost

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: danzigrules
there are lots of fixtures out there that ya grab the glass and just pull down. There are metal spring clips holding the glass in the base

The glass refuses to budge - I can't push it up, pull it down, or unscrew it. I'm terrified it'll break... like the low-hanging dining room light did when I hit it with my forehead.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie

Originally posted by: danzigrules
there are lots of fixtures out there that ya grab the glass and just pull down. There are metal spring clips holding the glass in the base

The glass refuses to budge - I can't push it up, pull it down, or unscrew it. I'm terrified it'll break... like the low-hanging dining room light did when I hit it with my forehead.

The frame around the glass, pull down.

 

[PottedMeat]

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
Take a broom handle and jam it really hard into the glass. Keep poking real hard until all the glass falls out and the bulb too. Jam a potato slice into the socket and unscrew whats left. Insert new bulb. For added entertainment leave fixture on during process.

Potato slice?

My God, that is the most irresponsible advice anyone has given regarding this problem!

Everybody knows you should use a carrot.

Yeah sorry about that, I've been wasted for most of the day. Should you be out of carrots, OP, the soft fleshy palm of your hand is a good substitute.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
Take a broom handle and jam it really hard into the glass. Keep poking real hard until all the glass falls out and the bulb too. Jam a potato slice into the socket and unscrew whats left. Insert new bulb. For added entertainment leave fixture on during process.

Potato slice?

My God, that is the most irresponsible advice anyone has given regarding this problem!

Everybody knows you should use a carrot.

Yeah sorry about that, I've been wasted for most of the day. Should you be out of carrots, OP, the soft fleshy palm of your hand is a good substitute.

Spit on it first for "traction" and conductivity.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Okay, so I twisted the metal part really hard and it finally came off after hearing all these bad noises. Unfortunately, you can't access the lightbulbs this way so now I have to get the glass off. It's incredible how shoddy the wiring is though...